Ranking firm gives failing grades to local banks

BauerFinancial Inc., a leading bank-ranking firm, has given three local banks failing grades in its latest review of the industry.

Beach Community Bank, First City Bank and First National Bank of Crestview each received zero out of a possible five stars in BauerFinancial’s latest ranking report, which covers the second quarter of the year (April to June).

Banks that receive zero stars are included in BauerFinancial’s Troubled & Problematic Report and, according to the firm, are “facing considerable challenges at this time.”

“What difference does it make?” said Tony Hughes, president and CEO of Beach Community Bank. “Every bank that is open today has got FDIC insurance.... The money is just as safe here as it is there. And that’s not me saying it; it’s the FDIC saying it.”

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