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Published: May 28 2013

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL -- Right off the heels of opening its new Mandarin-area office in Jacksonville, Florida, First Southern Bank is pleased to announce the grand opening of its new office on Las Olas Boulevard in Downtown Fort Lauderdale. As part of its on-going expansion and growth strategy, the Bank's new office, located at 901 East Las Olas Boulevard, Suite 201, will meet the ongoing banking needs of professionals, executives and business owners in the Downtown area. Having a presence on Las Olas Boulevard is important since Downtown Fort Lauderdale is the epicenter of business in Broward County.

"We have opened our new Las Olas office to better meet the needs of businesses and consumers in downtown Fort Lauderdale and its surrounding areas," said Lynne Wines, President and CEO of First Southern Bank. "By extending our presence in South Florida, First Southern Bank is dedicated to contributing to the growth of the market and supporting the local businesses and residents who live and work here." Wines, currently based in First Southern Bank's East Boca Raton headquarters, will also have an office in the new Las Olas location.

First Southern Bank has hired several new seasoned banking professionals to staff the new Las Olas office. Debbie Block has been brought in as Senior Vice President and Business Development Officer to spearhead the efforts of the new location. With more than 25 years of banking and financial experience and expertise in Business Development and Branch Management, Debbie has joined First Southern Bank after serving as Senior Vice President and Banking Office Manager with CNL Bank. Prior to that, she held positions with Bank United, Bank of Florida and Union Bank. Debbie will report to Bill Kelley, EVP/Head of Community Banking at First Southern Bank.

In addition to Debbie Block, Mario Ferreyra and Ana Musto have both joined First Southern Bank as Assistant Vice Presidents and Office Managers of the new office. Mario brings more than 25 years of banking and financial experience and expertise in Management and Business Development. Prior to joining First Southern Bank, he was an Assistant Vice President, Private Banking Associate with Bank United. He has also held previous positions at Colonial Bank and SouthTrust Bank. Mario holds a Bachelors of Business Administration in Finance from Florida International University. Ana brings more than 15 years of banking experience and expertise in Business Development, Customer Service, and Platform areas. She has joined First Southern Bank after serving as a Business Banking specialist with CNL Bank. Ana has also held previous positions at Bank United and Wachovia/SouthTrust Bank.

Carla Hipp has also joined First Southern Bank as a Personal Banker and Teller Supervisor at the new Las Olas office. Carla brings more than 15 years of banking experience and expertise in the Customer Service, Teller, and Platform areas. Prior to joining First Southern Bank, Carla was a Financial Specialist with CNL Bank. She has also held previous positions at Landmark Bank and Union Planters Bank.

The addition of the Las Olas office is part of the bank's growth strategy in the state of Florida. First Southern Bank launched its expansion plans in early 2010 designed to reach more clients in more markets. As a result, assets of the bank grew from approximately $400 million to over $1 billion, the number of branches has grown from only five in South Florida to seventeen in three of the state's best markets, and the number of client accounts has grown from approximately 5,400 to approximately 17,000.

First Southern Bancorp (OTC Bulletin Board: FSOF) had total consolidated assets of $1.0 billion at March 31, 2013. The Company provides comprehensive banking products and services through its First Southern Bank franchise. First Southern's strong capital positions it as one of the most secure banks in the United States. The Bank serves Northeast, South and Central Florida with 17 locations in Duval, St. Johns, Broward, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Seminole and Volusia counties.