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                                                                     EXHIBIT 99

                   [FFO FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. LETTERHEAD]



                                PRESS RELEASE


Contact: James B. Davis
         President
         407-957-7401

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


         F.F.O. FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. AND REPUBLIC BANCSHARES, INC.
                 ANNOUNCE EXECUTION OF DEFINITIVE AGREEMENT


         St. Cloud, Florida, April 14, 1997 -- F.F.O. Financial Group, Inc.,
St. Cloud, Florida  ("FFO") (NASDAQ: FFFG), parent company of First Federal
Savings and Loan Association of Osceola County ("First Federal of Osceola") and
Republic Bancshares, Inc., St. Petersburg, Florida  ("Republic") (NASDAQ:
REPB), parent company of Republic Bank, announced today that they have executed
a definitive agreement for the combination of the companies and the
institutions.  Upon the completion of this transaction, the parties intend that
FFO will be merged with and into Republic, and that First Federal of Osceola
will be merged with and into Republic Bank.

         In this transaction, Republic will exchange 0.29 share of its common
stock for each of the outstanding shares of FFO common stock.  In certain
circumstances, the exchange ratio will adjust for decreases in Republic's stock
price; however, in no event
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F.F.O. Financial Group, Inc.
April 14, 1997
Page 2

will the exchange ratio exceed 0.30 share.  FFO has the right to terminate the
agreement if the average of Republic's stock price is less than $13.50 during a
specified time frame prior to the closing.  Outstanding options for FFO common
stock will be converted into options for Republic common stock on the same
basis.

         First Federal of Osceola operates 11 offices in Osceola, Brevard and
Orange Counties in Central Florida.  As of December 31, 1996, FFO had total
assets of approximately $317 million and deposits of approximately $287
million.

         Republic Bank operates 33 offices in Pinellas, Pasco, Sarasota,
Manatee and Hernando Counties on Florida's west coast.  As of December 31,
1996, Republic had total assets of approximately $908 million and deposits of
approximately $828 million.  In addition, Republic will acquire, effective
April 18, 1997, Firstate Financial, F.A., which operates two offices in Orange
County, Florida.

         James B. Davis, president and chief executive officer of FFO, and John
W. Sapanski, chairman and chief executive officer of Republic, jointly stated
that the competitive advantages which will result from the combination of these
companies will benefit the customers and shareholders of both institutions.

         The acquisition, which is expected to close in the third quarter of
1997, is subject to certain regulatory approvals and the approval of the
respective shareholders of FFO and Republic, as well as certain other
conditions.

         For additional information, contact Mr. James B. Davis, president and
chief executive officer of F.F.O.  Financial Group, Inc., (407) 957-7401 or Mr.
John W. Sapanski, chairman and chief executive officer of Republic Bancshares,
Inc., (813) 823-7300.

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