Sanibel Captiva Community Bank pushes forward

Reporter: Michelle Alvarez
Published:
(CREDIT: WINK News)

The Sanibel Captiva Community Bank, like many other businesses, got hit hard by Hurricane Ian.

The bank’s main branch has been operating with the help of a boat to get to Sanibel with the causeway still unavailable for residents.

The bank first opened in 2003 on Sanibel before spreading to mainland Southwest Florida.

Six of the eight branches remain open.

The main branch off Perriwinkle Way is closed but has a table outside with a branded canopy.

The bank is being gutted inside.

It could be two weeks or months before things get back to normal along Periwinkle Way but there is good news.

On Friday, LCEC energized its transmission line to work on restoring power. LCEC said it’s too early to give an estimate for restoration time.

Until then, the bank team is going to try to do a little each day to help their customers stay in business by lending money.

Craig Albert, CEO of Sanibel Captiva Bank, said the team has been working to bring supplies and food to the island.

We’re grilling hot dogs and hamburgers for the islanders who are here.>

“We’re trying to provide some hope here,” Albert said. “We’re open. A few people around here, they’ve cashed some checks. Some people wanted to check their safety deposit boxes, so we’ve been able to let them do that.”

Sanibel is going to build back bigger, he said.

“It’s just going to be a lot of work, is what it’s going to be. Because there is quite a bit of devastation out here, but we’ll be fine,” Albert said. “It’s just going to take time.

 

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