FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 2, 2003


                  CenterState Banks of Florida, Inc. Announces
                   Completion of Merger with CenterState Bank
                             Appointment of new CEO


     WINTER HAVEN, FL. - January 2, 2003 --  CenterState Banks of Florida, Inc.
(NASDAQ SYMBOL: CSFL) announced the completion of the merger with CenterState
Bank of Florida effective as of the close of business December 31, 2002.
Shareholders of CenterState Bank received $2.40 cash and .53631 share of CSFL
common stock for each share of common stock of CenterState Bank.
CSFL's closing price, as reported by NASDAQ, on December 31, 2002 was $19.66.

     CenterState Bank will continue to operate as an independent wholly owned
subsidiary of CSFL, similar to CSFL's other three wholly owned subsidiary banks.
The completion of this transaction has increased the Company's full service
locations from eighteen to twenty-one throughout Central Florida.

     Separately, the Company announced the election of Ernest S. Pinner as CEO
effective December 31, 2002.  Mr. Pinner had previously served as President and
Executive Vice President of CSFL.  Mr. Pinner is also the CEO and President of
CenterState Bank.

     Commenting on the merger, Mr. Pinner stated, "We are enthusiastic about
combining the two organizations which share a common vision and will continue
providing the highest quality customer service that we believe only community
banks can deliver.  This combination will not only enhance our ability to serve
our customers and increase our lending capabilities, but it also will increase
the Company's outstanding shares from approximately 2.8 million to 3.3 million
resulting in an immediate enhancement in the liquidity of CenterState Bank
shareholders' investment."

     The Company's stock is listed on the NASDAQ national market under the
symbol CSFL.  Request for information regarding the purchase or sale of the
common stock can be addressed to Advest, Inc., Allen C. Ewing & Co., or Ryan
Beck & Co.  For additional information contact James J. Antal, CFO, at
863-419-0833.

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1995: Some of the statements in this report constitute forward-looking
statements, within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act
of 1995 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These statements related to
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events or results may differ materially. In evaluating these statements, you
should specifically consider the factors described throughout this report. We
cannot be assured that future results, levels of activity, performance or goals
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