Tami Cindrich, Markham Norton Mosteller Wright & Company, P.A., Fort Myers and Naples

Rita Lowman, president of Pilot Bank

The pair of banks hovering around $400 million in assets have one key: stick-to-itiveness to the founding strategy.

Rapid organic growth comes with a healthy dose of caution for veterans of the 2008 financial meltdown who united to start their own investment advisory firm.

In July, Reba Rogers completed the sale of Bradenton-based Secure Aging to Melissa Leedom.

Longtime community bankers, despite some obstacles, believe the timing is right to invest — significantly — in the industry’s future.

Banks in the region added $6.1 billion in assets in the first quarter.