Jacksonville Bancorp Inc. (JAXB)

[vpagano]

Quick interview with Scott Hall, nothing ground breaking though:

http://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2014/02/11/3-questions-with-scott-hall.html

3 questions with Scott Hall, president of The Jacksonville Bank

The Business Journal sat down recently to chat with Scott Hall about how The Jacksonville Bank tries to distinguish itself in Northeast Florida’s banking scene as well as what’s on the horizon for the next year and beyond:

1) How’s business these days?

“The banking market here has been difficult, like it has been for everyone. Florida’s economy is very real estate-driven. But real estate values are improving; commercial values appear to have stabilized. And by the end of 2012, we brought in more than $50 million in new capital, so things are looking up.”

2) What are your goals for the next year or so?

“We’re hoping to grow the bank; expand our customer base, which is made up largely of small businesses and professionals; and really take advantage of the continued improvement in the local economy. As local businesses improve and have a need for capital for growth, we can provide them that capital.”

3) What are the continued challenges of community banking?

“Growth isn’t robust, so loan demand isn’t super strong — it’s more tepid. So the challenges are to grow revenues. You really have to look under a lot of rocks to find that business. The cost of compliance also continues to be a challenge for smaller banks especially.”