About Us
“Stories hold a remarkable power – they connect us, cultivate understanding, and build trust.”
Dana Kilborne
CEO and President
Cypress Bank & Trust
In 1996, Cypress Bank & Trust took root to support the financial needs of our community. We’ve always believed in understanding and cherishing the stories of those around us. Embracing this approach, our team offers expert financial guidance and crafts tailored plans to support every stage of life’s journey. Over the years, we’ve grown from a boutique corporate fiduciary chartered in Palm Beach, Florida, to a full-fledged bank and trust company. With a growing network of seven offices across the state, our focus is on meeting your banking, trust, and portfolio management needs through our personalized approach. Our commitment remains unwavering: to be the financial partner you can rely on, providing financial solutions that support you along every step of your journey.
The Strength of Cypress
The Cypress tree is our foundation and inspiration, representing our company and people. Indigenous to Florida, the Cypress tree symbolizes history, experience, and dependability. A tree of great longevity, the Cypress endures for generations. Growing unhurried and sturdy, its plentiful roots run deep, yet are also exposed and transparent. It is evergreen, adaptable, and a valued resource. These traits define our brand now and into the future – sturdy with proven longevity, adaptable, transparent, dedicated and devoted to providing resources and a platform for multi-generational growth.
The Cypress Way
OUR GUIDING PRINCIPLE
The Cypress Way is our guiding principle that ensures you are always at the forefront of everything we do. With each interaction, we provide dedicated personalized service, with the objective of realizing your goals, while becoming a personal part of your story. We are attentive, transparent, relational, dependable, and adaptive.
Initiating Discovery
THE CYPRESS WAY AT EVERY STAGE
Cypress is rooted in relationships. Learning the details of your story is essential for a successful, long-term relationship and helps us guide you on the path to success. We make sure to begin our process by understanding your needs and laying the foundation for a successful and mutually beneficial relationship.
Our Guiding Values
Community
Cypress will always prioritize building connections and fostering community growth.
Client-Centricity
Our commitment to client-centricity ensures your financial well-being is our top priority.
Accountability
At Cypress, accountability is not just a buzzword; it’s our guiding principle.
Clarity
Transparency and clarity go hand in hand at Cypress.
Integrity
Integrity is the cornerstone of every decision we make.
Dedication
With unwavering dedication, we strive to exceed your expectations every day.
Board of Directors
LEADING WITH EXPERIENCE
Jim Swann
Tom Hermansen
Summit Shah
Dr. Kyle Moyles
J. Cole Oliver
John Tranter
Dr. Wayne Wolfson
Dana Kilborne
John Marino
Cypress in the Community
MEDIA, EVENTS, & NEWS
Happy Fourth of July from Cypress Bank & Trust.
Today, we celebrate the freedoms that unite us and honor those who have served and sacrificed to protect them. Wishing our clients, team members, and communities across Florida a safe and happy Independence Day.
Jul 4
Five years at Cypress Bank & Trust. A career`s worth of relationships that run much deeper.
Our team came together from offices across Florida to celebrate Karen Guzzo as she begins her next chapter. Karen has been the kind of team member who makes the people around her better, and the turnout at her retirement luncheon was proof of just how many lives she`s touched along the way.
We`re grateful for every day we had with Karen on this team. Wishing her nothing but the best in retirement.
Jul 2
Summer in Florida means travel plans, events, concerts, and cookouts. Before you say yes to all of it, take a few minutes to plan how you`ll pay for it.
1. Set a number. Add up what you expect to spend on trips, tickets, and events this summer. Having a total gives you something to work toward.
2. Open a separate savings account. Automate transfers from each paycheck so the money is set aside before you`re tempted to spend it elsewhere.
3. Trim where it counts. Scale back on smaller discretionary spending now and redirect those dollars toward the experiences that matter most.
4. Budget for the extras. Meals, souvenirs, parking, and last-minute add-ons are easy to overlook. Build them into your plan from the start.
5. Limit what goes on the credit card. If you do charge expenses, know exactly how much and have a plan to pay it off when the statement arrives.
Summer should leave you with great memories, not financial stress.
If you need help building a plan, your Cypress Bank & Trust advisor is here.
Jul 1
Roth or Traditional? It`s one of the most common questions in retirement planning - and the answer isn`t the same for everyone.
Check out what our own Sascha Rizzo, CFA, CFP, Senior Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager, has to say about it in this month`s Orlando Business Journal.
Jun 29
Meet George Rivera, the newest member of our team, joining us as a Commercial Banking Associate in our Maitland office.
With over a decade of banking experience in Central Florida, George has built his career from the ground up. From his start as a Teller to roles in platform banking and commercial lending, he brings a deep understanding of what it takes to serve clients well.
What sets George apart is his commitment to building real relationships with the businesses he works with. He takes the time to listen, understand, and deliver solutions that make a difference.
Outside the office, George is a family man who enjoys spending time with his wife and son, hitting the bowling lanes, and supporting his wife`s growing plant business.
We`re proud to have George on the Cypress team.
Jun 25
Six months down. Six months of opportunity ahead. Your Cypress Bank & Trust advisor is here to help you navigate the ups and downs and make sure your finances stay on track.
Here`s your mid-year reset:
• Money In, Money Out: Review your income and expenses. Cut what`s not serving you and redirect it toward what matters.
• Emergency Fund: Is it still covering 3–6 months of essentials? If not, now`s the time to top it off.
• Investments: Check your portfolio allocation. Market shifts may have moved you away from your target mix.
• Retirement Contributions: Are you on pace to max out your 401(k) or IRA this year? Small increases now add up.
• Tax Planning: Don`t wait until December. Consider harvesting losses, adjusting withholdings, or maximizing deductions while you still have time.
• Estate & Insurance: Life changes fast. Make sure your beneficiaries, coverage, and documents reflect where you are today.
A mid-year check-in doesn`t have to be complicated — it just has to happen. Your advisor is ready when you are.
Jun 22
Happy Father`s Day to the dads, grandfathers, mentors, and father figures who show up every single day.
Your guidance, patience, and quiet strength shape the people around you in ways that last a lifetime. At Cypress Bank & Trust, we see it firsthand - in the clients building legacies for their families and the team members who lead by example, both at work and at home.
Today, we celebrate you.
Jun 21
June 19th is a day of reflection, celebration, and renewed purpose.
Juneteenth marks one of the most important moments in our nation`s history and a reminder that freedom and justice require continuous commitment. At Cypress Bank & Trust, we`re proud to serve communities across Florida that are rich in diversity, culture, and resilience.
Today, we celebrate the progress made and recommit to the work ahead.
Jun 19
Summer in Florida calls for one thing - iced coffee on repeat.
Whether you`re fueling a Monday morning or powering through a Friday afternoon, the Cypress Bank & Trust team runs on it. Bonus points if it comes from a local spot.
What`s your go-to iced coffee order? Drop it below.
Jun 18
Congratulations to our very own Luis Barrios on being accepted into Leadership Winter Park`s 37th Class.
Leadership Winter Park is a highly selective program that brings together professionals who are committed to strengthening the community and making a lasting impact. Being chosen for this program is a reflection of the kind of leader Luis already is.
At Cypress Bank & Trust, community involvement isn`t just something we encourage. It`s who we are. We`re proud to have Luis representing our team and look forward to seeing the great things ahead.
Jun 17
Proud to be recognized as one of the Orlando Business Journal`s 2026 Best Places to Work.
At Cypress Bank & Trust, our culture is built on trust, collaboration, and a shared commitment to excellence. This recognition is a reflection of the incredible team behind everything we do.
Thank you to every member of the Cypress Bank & Trust family for making this possible.
Jun 15
Living in Florida means knowing that hurricane season is starting right now in the month of June. So, the best time to prepare is before you need to.
A few reminders from the Cypress Bank & Trust team:
• Set up online and mobile banking now - so you`re ready if branches are temporarily closed.
• Store copies of financial records, insurance documents, and estate plans in a secure digital location.
• Make sure your emergency fund is liquid and easily accessible.
Our team is here year-round - before, during, and after the storm. If you have questions about protecting your finances this hurricane season, reach out to us directly.
Jun 13
