First Federal Bank named John A. Medina president of the bank.

In his new position, Medina will take on new areas of focus in addition to his current leadership responsibilities. New responsibilities will include continued organic growth and expansion of the bank, as well as innovative and creative development initiatives.

Before being promoted to president, Medina served as senior executive vice president and chief banking officer, with executive management responsibility for commercial lending, retail banking, marketing, and loan servicing, among other duties. He joined First Federal in 2017 as executive vice president and chief administrative officer before being named to the senior executive team in 2018.

Medina spent the bulk of his 30-year financial services career at First Union National Bank/Wachovia Bank, where he gained experience as a commercial banker, private banker, corporate HR trainer, financial consultant leader and, eventually, area president and community banking executive.

“Since joining our bank, John has provided executive level administrative oversight, input and guidance on many bank initiatives and has proven himself a trusted leader, earning the respect of our management team and all our associates throughout the bank,” said Keith C. Leibfried, First Federal CEO and chairman of the board. “He has demonstrated strengths in strategic planning, organizational management and corporate administration, and he is well-prepared to help sustain our culture and stability into the future.”

Leibfried will remain CEO and chairman, with primary focus on residential mortgage, regulatory and compliance oversight, board relations, strategic vision, and the promotion of First Federal’s culture, business development and market visibility.

Medina is only the third president in the bank’s 56-year history, a testament to the bank’s stability.

Founded in Florida in 1962, First Federal Bank is a $1.8 billion-asset institution offering a full line of personal and business financial solutions, services, and loans through full-service banking offices in Florida’s Panhandle, North Central Florida and coastal South Carolina.