POWER OF ATTORNEY

Know All Men By These Presents:

That Thomas E. Oakley has made, constituted and appointed, and by these
presents does make, constitute and appoint the Chief Executive Officer
(CEO) and the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of CenterState
Banks, Inc. (the Company), or either of them, my lawful attorney for
me and in  my name, place and stead, giving and granting unto said
attorney full power and authority to do and perform all and every act
and thing whatsoever requisite and necessary to be done in and about
the premises as fully, to all intents and purposes, as I might or could
do it personally present, with full power of substitution and revocation,
hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney or substitute
shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof in connection
with the execution and delivery of the following documents for and
on behalf of the undersigned:

All Forms 3, 4 and 5 in accordance with Section 16(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations
thereunder, and to do and perform all necessary or desirable acts to
complete and execute any of those Forms 3, 4 or 5 or any amendments, and
timely file those Forms with the Securities and Exchange Commission and
any stock exchange or similar authority; and take other action in
connection with the foregoing which, in the opinion of either the CEO
or the CFO is in my best interests or legally required.

In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal the 14th day of
January, 2003.

Signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of :


/s/ J. Wayne Stewart 				 	/s/ Thomas E. Oakley
Witness Signature					Thomas E. Oakley
							P.O. Box 4170
J. Wayne Stewart					Lake Wales, FL 33859
Printed Name



/s/ George H. Carefoot
Witness Signature

George H. Carefoot
Printed Name


STATE OF FLORIDA
COUNTY OF POLK

The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me this 14th day of January,
2003, by Thomas E. Oakley.

							/s/ Pamela S. Burkett
							Pamela S. Burkett
							Printed Name
							Notary Public,
							State of Florida

Personally Known X     or Produced Identification
Type of Identification Produced