• Alternate Text
  • Loading

  • Newsletters
  • Podcast
  • Public Notices
  • 40 Under 40 Nomination
  • Mobile App
  • Subscribe
  • Login
  • News
  • Strategies
  • Entrepreneurs
  • M&A
  • Leadership
  • Regions
    • Tampa Bay-Lakeland
    • Manatee-Sarasota
    • Charlotte-Lee-Collier
    • Florida
  • Industries
    • Business Support
    • Commercial Real Estate
    • Residential Real Estate
    • Development
    • Finance
    • Food-Beverage
    • Health Care
    • Manufacturing
    • Retail
    • Sports–Entertainment
    • Technology
    • Travel-Tourism
  • Insights
  • More
    • Advice
    • Transactions
    • 40 Under 40
    • Big Book of Business
    • Subscribe
    • Opinion
    • Executive Diversions
    • Change-Makers
    • Reprints
  • News
  • Strategies
  • Entrepreneurs
  • M&A
  • Leadership
  • Regions
    • Regions
    • Tampa Bay-Lakeland
    • Manatee-Sarasota
    • Charlotte-Lee-Collier
    • Florida
  • Industries
    • Industries
    • Business Support
    • Commercial Real Estate
    • Residential Real Estate
    • Development
    • Finance
    • Food-Beverage
    • Health Care
    • Manufacturing
    • Retail
    • Sports–Entertainment
    • Technology
    • Travel-Tourism
  • Insights
  • More
    • More
    • Advice
    • Transactions
    • 40 Under 40
    • Big Book of Business
    • Subscribe
    • Opinion
    • Executive Diversions
    • Change-Makers
    • Reprints
  • Newsletters
  • Podcast
  • Public Notices
  • 40 Under 40 Nomination
  • Mobile App
  • Subscribe
  • Login

Finance

  • By Mark Gordon
  • August 22, 2025
$585M deal for Fort Myers bank wins regulatory approvals

Kansas City-based Commerce Bank announced the deal for FineMark Bank two months ago.

  • Charlotte–Lee–Collier
  • By Mark Gordon
  • August 14, 2025
Lee County Clerk saves nearly $800K, DOGE-style

Lee County Clerk and Comptroller Kevin Karnes sent a budget to county commissioners that shaved 4.7% off the previous year.

  • Charlotte–Lee–Collier
  • By Louis Llovio
  • August 13, 2025
Tampa M&A firm buys naming rights to NHL arena

The Tampa Bay Lightning's home ice will now be called Benchmark International Arena.

  • Tampa Bay-Lakeland
  • By Mark Gordon
  • August 12, 2025
Investor group buys cup maker Tervis, will move HQ to Bradenton

The new owners’ "strong investment in Tervis," CEO Hosana Fieber says, "speaks to its well-established and beloved brand legacy."

  • Manatee-Sarasota
  • By Louis Llovio
  • August 9, 2025
Ruskin apartment community refinanced for $56 million

The owners of the 300-unit Hillsborough County apartment complex have taken out a three-year floating rate loan to pay off a previous construction loan.

  • Tampa Bay-Lakeland
  • By Louis Llovio
  • August 7, 2025
St. Petersburg bank lays off employees as it cuts loan program

BayFirst Bank's decision to eliminate small balance loans through the SBA led to job reductions.

  • Tampa Bay-Lakeland
  • By Elizabeth King
  • July 31, 2025
Sarasota company buys Iowa hotel for $14.5 million

A St. Armands-based financial firm purchased a hotel in West Des Moines, Iowa.

  • Manatee-Sarasota
  • By Elizabeth King
  • July 24, 2025
Cortez community now accepts cryptocurrency from homebuyers

Pearl Homes, which developed Hunters Point, has partnered with a crypto-to-real-estate platform.

  • Manatee-Sarasota
  • By Elizabeth King
  • July 23, 2025
Former Venice banker admits to embezzlement

A former bank employee in Sarasota County who pleaded guilty in an embezzlement case faces up to 35 years in prison.

  • Manatee-Sarasota
  • By Elizabeth King
  • July 22, 2025
National wealth management company invests in Sarasota financial firm

Summit Financial of New Jersey has made a strategic investment in LPF Advisors of Sarasota.

  • Manatee-Sarasota
  • By Louis Llovio
  • July 21, 2025
Tampa family-run firm exits hotel business after 45 years

The Liberty Group sold the last six hotel in its portfolio ending an era that began in 1980 in Youngstown, Ohio.

  • Tampa Bay-Lakeland
  • By Louis Llovio
  • July 15, 2025
Firm refinances Tampa, Winter Haven properties for $107M

Robbins Property Associates took out the loan on three of the properties it owns, including two in the region.

  • Tampa Bay-Lakeland
  • By Elizabeth King
  • July 14, 2025
The Meadows Country Club in Sarasota files for bankruptcy

A Sarasota country club has filed Chapter 7 in U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida.

  • Manatee-Sarasota
  • By Elizabeth King
  • July 12, 2025
Cogent Bank opens full-service Bradenton branch

The branch has a team of seven bankers and is looking to hire two more staff members.

  • Manatee-Sarasota
  • By Mark Gordon
  • July 8, 2025
41-year SWFL Bank of America market leader to retire

Julie Schmelzle, who has been with the bank for 35 years, will replace Gerri Moll in the key role.

  • Charlotte–Lee–Collier
« 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 »
The best of Business Observer, delivered directly to your inbox

Get the latest business and commercial real estate news from Tampa Bay to Naples.

Sign Up

Latest News Business Observer

1
  • February 3, 2026
St. Petersburg Gas Plant RFP draws nine proposals
2
  • February 3, 2026
DeSantis, MLB commissioner support Tampa Bay Rays' stadium plans
3
  • February 3, 2026
California hedge fund makes $1.1B offer to buy MarineMax
4
  • February 3, 2026
Landmark downtown Sarasota hotel torn down for new project
5
  • February 2, 2026
AI, emerging tech at the forefront of annual annual jobs summit

More Industries

  • Commercial Real Estate
  • Residential Real Estate
  • Business Support
  • Advertising-Marketing
  • Agriculture
  • Development
  • Education
  • Environment
  • Finance
  • Government
  • Food-Beverage
  • Health Care
  • Insurance
  • Law
  • Manufacturing
  • Philanthropy-Nonprofits
  • Retail
  • Sports-Entertainment
  • Technology
  • Transportation
  • Travel-Tourism

Contact

  • 1970 Main St.
  • Third Floor
  • Sarasota, FL 34236
  • Phone: 941-362-4848

Extra, Extra!

  • Newsletters
  • App
  • Podcast
  • Big Book of Business

more

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise
  • Distribution Points
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Subscribe
  • Accessibility Options

sister sites

  • Your Observer
  • Jax Daily Record
  • Orange Observer
  • Accessibility Options
  • Copyright © 2026 Observer Media Group Inc., All Rights Reserved
×
3 Articles Remaining!
Not a Subscriber?

Click here to Subscribe

Already a Subscriber?

Click here to Login

Sign Up for Daily Brief

Start your day with the top Gulf Coast business news you need to succeed.

Sign Up for CRE Central

Stay updated with a weekly roundup of big deals, market shifts and the people shaping commercial real estate from Tampa Bay to Naples.


Smart People Subscribe.

Turn headlines into game plans. The playbook’s right here.
Subscribe to the Business Observer today.

Subscribe Now