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Congratulations to our own Raphael Lima on being selected as Communications Chair for the Young Professionals Executive Committee at Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida. After a strong year as Professional Development Chair, this appointment is well deserved.

At Cypress Bank & Trust, we`re proud to support team members who invest their time in organizations making a real impact. Keep leading, Raphael.

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Ken Harris, owner of Harbor City Gymnastics, needed a bank that could move as fast as he does. After running into obstacles elsewhere, he found Cypress Bank & Trust.

"When I finally reached out to Cypress, Megan wouldn`t let any of those obstacles stand in her way! Thanks to her relentless effort, we were able to meet all of my deadlines; and, I discovered that customer service at this bank far exceeds my expectations. 10/10 would recommend to anyone who has banking needs in Florida."

This is what relationship banking looks like. Thank you, Ken, for trusting us with your business.

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Cypress Bank & Trust has once again earned a 5-Star rating from BauerFinancial for 2026, the highest designation for financial strength and stability.

BauerFinancial is an independent firm that evaluates every federally insured bank and credit union in the country based on capital levels, profitability, asset quality, and cash flow. A 5-Star "Superior" rating means one thing: your money is in safe hands.

We`re proud of this recognition and the trust our clients continue to place in us.

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Our Cypress Trust team is heading to The Breakers Hotel in Palm Beach for the 43rd Annual Attorney Trust Officer Liaison Conference, and we`re proud to return as the Official Espresso Sponsor.

Join us at our booth on Friday afternoon from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. for complimentary handcrafted lattes. Whether you`re in need of a quick caffeine boost or a moment to connect, we`ll be there with a warm welcome and your favorite brew.

We look forward to seeing you there!

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Financial freedom looks different for everyone, but the habits that get you there are universal. Here are seven practical steps you can start today:

1. Define your vision. Know what financial freedom means to you. Write down your short-term and long-term goals and revisit them often.
2. Build a budget that works. Track your income and expenses. A clear picture of where your money goes is the first step to controlling it.
3. Create an emergency fund. Aim for three to six months of essential expenses. Start small if you need to. Consistency matters more than size.
4. Tackle debt with a plan. Focus on high-interest balances first and avoid taking on new debt without a purpose.
5. Diversify your income. Explore additional streams of revenue to build resilience and accelerate your progress.
6. Start investing early. Even modest, consistent contributions grow significantly over time. Let compounding work in your favor.
7. Stay committed and keep learning. Schedule regular financial check-ins and stay informed on trends that affect your money.

Financial independence is not reserved for a select few. It`s built through discipline, awareness, and the right guidance. Your Cypress Bank & Trust advisor is here to help you put a plan in place.

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Financial freedom is built through small, consistent habits that compound over time. Here are a few worth adopting:

1. Set clear goals. Know exactly what you`re working toward and by when.
2. Budget with intention. Track where your money goes so you can direct it where it counts.
3. Spend less than you earn. It sounds simple, but it`s the single most important habit you can build.
4. Build an emergency fund. Aim for 3 to 6 months of essential expenses, kept liquid and accessible.
5. Pay down debt strategically. Start with high-interest balances and avoid adding new debt without a plan.
6. Automate your savings. Remove the guesswork. Set it and let consistency work in your favor.
7. Monitor your credit score. It affects your loan rates, insurance premiums, and more.
8. Stay informed. Follow tax changes, market trends, and financial news so your decisions are grounded in facts.

Building wealth is not about making one big move. It`s about getting the fundamentals right, year after year. Your Cypress Bank & Trust advisor is here whenever you`re ready to start.

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Scammers can now use artificial intelligence to clone voices and create realistic messages that sound exactly like someone you trust. A call from a family member, a colleague, or even your banker asking you to act fast. It sounds real, but it`s not.

How to protect yourself:
• Verify unexpected requests by hanging up and calling back on a number you trust.
• Establish a code word with family members for financial emergencies.
• Never share account details or security codes unless you initiated the call.

The technology is evolving, but your best defense stays the same: slow down and verify. If something feels off, contact your Cypress Bank & Trust team directly.

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More than two decades at Cypress. More than two-thirds of our 30-year story.

Since joining in 2004, Brian Skarbek has watched the organization grow, adapt, and expand across Florida, all while staying true to the values that set Cypress apart from the beginning. For Brian, this anniversary isn`t just about longevity. It`s about how we got here.

"The relationships built here, both with clients and with each other, are the reason I`m proud to say I`ve been part of this story for more than 20 years."

Here`s to the chapters still ahead, Brian.

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Happy Fourth of July from Cypress Bank & Trust.

Today, we celebrate the freedoms that unite us and honor those who have served and sacrificed to protect them. Wishing our clients, team members, and communities across Florida a safe and happy Independence Day.

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Summer in Florida means travel plans, events, concerts, and cookouts. Before you say yes to all of it, take a few minutes to plan how you`ll pay for it.

1. Set a number. Add up what you expect to spend on trips, tickets, and events this summer. Having a total gives you something to work toward.
2. Open a separate savings account. Automate transfers from each paycheck so the money is set aside before you`re tempted to spend it elsewhere.
3. Trim where it counts. Scale back on smaller discretionary spending now and redirect those dollars toward the experiences that matter most.
4. Budget for the extras. Meals, souvenirs, parking, and last-minute add-ons are easy to overlook. Build them into your plan from the start.
5. Limit what goes on the credit card. If you do charge expenses, know exactly how much and have a plan to pay it off when the statement arrives.

Summer should leave you with great memories, not financial stress.
If you need help building a plan, your Cypress Bank & Trust advisor is here.

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Roth or Traditional? It`s one of the most common questions in retirement planning - and the answer isn`t the same for everyone.

Check out what our own Sascha Rizzo, CFA, CFP, Senior Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager, has to say about it in this month`s Orlando Business Journal.