Republic Bank & Trust Company, the Louisville-based bank whose parent Republic Bancorp had approximately $7.04 billion in total assets as of December 31, 2025, has named Frank Vitarelli as its Florida Market President. The appointment, announced on April 1, 2026, brings a seasoned Tampa Bay executive with over 25 years of experience to lead the bank's Sunshine State operations.
Vitarelli, who most recently served as senior vice president and market director at The Bank of Tampa, led strategic initiatives aligned with organizational goals and consistently delivered strong business results. His track record includes deep expertise in commercial banking, credit analysis, and fostering long-term client relationships—skills honed across stints at major players like Regions Bank, Truist (formerly SunTrust), and Wells Fargo.
PROVEN LEADER JOINS EXPANSION
Known for his strategic mindset and collaborative style, Vitarelli has built a reputation for reliability and sustainable growth. "Frank brings a proven track record of leadership, performance, and relationship-driven growth," said Logan Pichel, president and CEO of Republic Bank. "His experience and people-first approach make him a strong fit for our culture and our focus to significantly grow in Florida."
In his new role, Vitarelli will lead Republic's Florida market, where the bank has seven banking centers in the Tampa area. The appointment followed a lengthy search, the Business Journals reported.
Vitarelli himself expressed enthusiasm for the opportunity. "I’m genuinely excited to join Republic Bank, a company known for its strong culture, commitment to excellence, and people-first values," he stated. "I look forward to contributing to the continued success of the bank’s high-performing Florida market." Beyond the boardroom, Vitarelli maintains an active personal life, enjoying family time, travel, coaching girls’ flag football, and pursuing interests in wine.
REPUBLIC'S FOOTPRINT
Republic Bancorp, the bank's parent, is headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, and its Class A shares trade on Nasdaq under RBCAA; the bank has 47 banking centers across five states. As of December 31, 2025, the company had approximately $7.04 billion in total assets.
The release said the appointment was intended to fuel Republic Bank's "continued momentum" in Florida.