Origin Bank’s expansion into Fort Walton Beach centers on a strategy of hiring experienced local bankers who understand the unique dynamics of the Panhandle’s tourist-driven economy.

• The bank’s commitment to the community became evident when they decided to open a full-service branch immediately rather than focusing on a ramp up with its loan production office, as many banks do when entering new markets.

“Origin made it clear they were confident in this community and committed to purchasing a location and opening a branch as soon as we possibly could,” said Robin Donlon, Origin’s Florida Panhandle Market Leader.

Donlon, a Shalimar native who has lived in the area since age three, brings deep local knowledge to her role. She spent more than 15 years building relationships in the local banking community, starting as a teller in Destin and working her way up through commercial banking positions at other institutions.

• “The ability to have your banker in the local market, who knows the area, is able to come see you in person and understands your business is extremely important”, Donlon said.

As market leader, Donlon maintains her own customer portfolio while overseeing the commercial team and ensuring successful branch operations. “I truly enjoy working with the clients that I have, many of whom I’ve worked with for over half, if not more, of my banking career. Those loyal customers mean they are not just my customers, they’re my friends,” she said.

Origin’s approach differs from many competitors by avoiding segmentation in commercial banking. “Your banker is your banker,” Donlon explained. “A lot of times if you grow to a certain size or if you’re a certain industry – a real estate investor or medical professional – you may have to work with a different banker depending on that specialty area. We’ve been trained to be more versatile so our clients’ have a single point of contact to handle a broad range of needs.”

This approach allows Origin’s branch staff to service commercial clients and answer questions, while national banks often remove those capabilities from local staff. “We’re big enough to be able to service the majority of businesses in this market and small enough to deliver personalized service,” Donlon said.

Kim Cox joined the Origin team as a commercial relationship manager, bringing over 45 years of banking and community leadership experience in Okaloosa County. Cox serves on numerous local boards, including United Way Emerald Coast, Habitat for Humanity Okaloosa County, Advanced Sacred Hope Academy, Okaloosa Public Schools Foundation, and the Early Learning Coalition of the Emerald Coast.

• “Kim is phenomenal. She brings so much experience to the table especially with the amount of time that she has been in the market and the positions that she has held. The trust and loyalty that her clients have with her is a reflection of her successful career and a tremendous benefit to Origin Bank,” Donlon said. 

The team also includes Shane Frederic, who focuses on business development and community engagement in the Niceville market while serving as an ambassador with both the Niceville Chamber and Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce. Shane has been in the Niceville community for 31 years.

Origin’s decision to enter the Fort Walton Beach market came after extensive research. The bank simultaneously opened a location in Mobile, Alabama, as part of a coordinated Southeast expansion targeting some of the fastest-growing markets in the region.

Nate Sommer, the bank’s regional president for the Southeast market, is based in Mobile, and he and Donlon have worked together for over ten years. This continuity provides additional market knowledge and understanding of the Panhandle’s unique characteristics.

• “A tourist market is different from a metro market,” Donlon noted, explaining that this understanding gives Origin an advantage in serving local businesses.

Currently operating from a temporary modular building at 212 Racetrack Road NW, the Fort Walton Beach location is managed by Gwen Stephenson and offers a full range of banking services including personal and commercial banking, treasury management and lending services. The location features include night drop service, a full-service teller line and convenient drive-thru.

The path to this location involved careful consideration. After extensive research, Donlon personally approached the property owner at the Racetrack Road location.

“As I was driving around town, I kept coming back to this corner at Racetrack Road and Denton Boulevard. The intersection seemed to be the perfect location. I looked up who owned the property, and I actually went by the owner’s office,” Donlon said. 

The building required extensive renovation work, leading Origin to implement the temporary modular solution. “While we look forward to the remodel of the permanent structure, our current space gives us the ability to meet our client’s needs, which is what matters most,” Donlon said.

• Despite its temporary nature, the current building provides full banking services including deposits, cashier’s checks, wire execution, and new account openings.

Origin is taking pride in the revitalization project, viewing it as a testament of their commitment to community investment. “Origin takes a lot of pride in how it represents a community and its location,” Donlon said. “This was an awesome opportunity for us to be able to come in and really revitalize a building in the community that we’re expanding into. That’s the type of reputation that we want, that we’re willing to give back to the community.”

The new building, scheduled to open by the second quarter of 2026, will feature a three-lane drive-through and ATM, allowing Origin to expand its staff and market presence beyond the current capacity.

Community involvement also forms a core part of Origin’s strategy through its Project Enrich program, which provides employees with paid hours to volunteer during their workday throughout the year. 

• “Origin strives to ensure that the employees who want to give back and be involved in the community have the ability to do that through Project Enrich,” Donlon said.

Donlon has served on a number of boards including the Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce, Impact 100 of Northwest Florida, One Hopeful Place, and Bridgeway Center board of trustees. Her involvement spans multiple community needs, from economic development to social services.

“Serving on those boards and being able to help the community serve all of the populations in the market is something we all do with a lot of pride. It’s very rewarding to work for a company that gives us the ability to do that,” Donlon said.

The personal satisfaction of community impact extends to Origin’s lending work. As rewarding as it is to see the revitalization of their property on Racetrack, helping their clients do the same is equally rewarding. “I take a lot of pride in customers trusting me to be the person to help them complete those projects,” added Donlon.

• Donlon noted the lasting impact of her work: “When I drive by buildings that I financed 10 years ago, I smile.”

This approach focuses on helping customers achieve their goals, whether starting a business, expanding operations, or taking their enterprise to the next level. “Helping the customer achieve their dreams,” is how Donlon describes the bank’s vision.

Origin plans to open a second branch in Okaloosa County in the near future, with long-term goals of expanding throughout the Panhandle. “Expanding in Okaloosa County is the short-term vision. Expanding throughout the Panhandle is the long-term vision,” Donlon said.

The bank, established in 1912, brings institutional stability while maintaining local decision-making authority through its experienced team. Though Origin is new to the Florida Panhandle, the bank’s long history provides a foundation of stability for local businesses.

• “Part of my vision to grow Origin presence here involved the ability to hire the right team with the necessary experience. Even though this is a new brand coming to town, having the experienced individuals that are known in the market, that are involved in the community and being the face of the bank, that’s what was important to me to make it successful,” Donlon said.

The Fort Walton Beach location operates Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with drive-thru banking and appointments available. Customers can reach the team at (850) 904-8613 or visit Origin.Bank for more information. Origin Bank NMLS# 455990. Equal Housing Lender. Member FDIC.