(FLORIDA) Seacoast Banking Corporation of Florida (NASDAQ-NMS: SBCF), a bank holding company whose principal subsidiary is Seacoast National Bank, is pleased to announce that Jean Strickland will add chief credit officer to her title for both the bank and the holding company.

Strickland¿s appointment becomes effective April 1 in anticipation of the retirement of 44-year career veteran A. Douglas Gilbert slated for January 2009. Gilbert joined Seacoast in 1990 and has been recognized for creating Seacoast¿s high quality credit culture.

A 27-year career veteran herself, Strickland has an extensive background in commercial credit. She has been with Seacoast for 17 years and has served as president for Seacoast National Bank and chief operating officer and senior vice president of Seacoast Banking Corporation of Florida since 2005.

¿There is no better qualified person to assume the chief credit officer role for our company,¿ stated Doug Gilbert, president of Seacoast Banking Corporation and former chief credit officer. ¿The depth of her knowledge and experience will serve us well moving forward.¿

Strickland will continue Gilbert¿s legacy by maintaining a strong credit culture while moving forward to adapt and improve policies that will enhance the depth and reliability of commercial underwriting, strengthen controls and overall credit quality, and improve responsiveness to its customers.

Strickland earned a bachelor¿s degree in economics from the University of Illinois at Chicago. She has a long history serving on the boards for various civic and charitable organizations including the Jupiter, Tequesta Juno Beach Chamber of Commerce, the American Red Cross of Palm Beach County, past chair for the PGA Corridor Association and is currently a board member for the Elliot Museum and United Way of Martin County. She was honored as the 2007 Business Woman of the Year by the Soroptimist International of Stuart, and named Business Person of the Year, 2006, by the Martin County Chamber of Commerce.

The operating arm of Seacoast Banking Corporation of Florida (NASDAQ: SBCF) Seacoast National Bank has 43 offices in Florida and approximately $2.3 billion in assets, and is one of the largest independent banks headquartered in Florida.