new in business

Preferred Community Bank opens in Fort Myers

Two experienced local banking professionals have partnered to found the new Preferred Community Bank. The first branch opens this month in the Colonial Plaza Shopping Center, 4391 Colonial Blvd. The corporation's headquarters will open there in 2008.

William B. Spearman and Brenda O'Neil, who have more than 50 years of combined experience in all aspects of banking, founded Preferred Community.

In addition to traditional banking services for consumers and small businesses, Preferred Community Bank will offer a new technology for businesses, which allows for remote deposit capture, eliminating the need for courier service or inperson deposits.

The bank also will offer innovative products such as health savings accounts, and specialty services to target clients such as condominium homeowner associations and management companies. In addition, employees will be provided ownership opportunities.

"Our goal is to serve the Fort Myers community through a true locally owned and operated community bank," said Spearman. "We will offer new products to our consumer and corporate clients, with a focus on expediting service through technology and personal attention that is tailored to each client's needs."

For more information, contact the bank at (239) 728-2265 or online at www.pcbbank. net.

Manufacturer opens Fort Myers plant

A new medical implant contract manufacturer has opened its headquarters in Fort Myers, announced president, Paul McCullers.

Innovative Medical operates in a 21,000- square-foot plant located off Treeline Boulevard, at 10061 Amberwood Road, with a staff of more than 40 highly skilled manufacturing engineers. Innovative utilizes cutting edge manufacturing technologies to meet the production requirements for several of the companies that are supplying the world with implants - spine, trauma, orthopedic, sports medicine - as well as instrumentation. n