Barbara Interlicchio, Senior Vice President, Central Florida Market President, Valley Bank

April 2026 — Invest: sat down with Barbara Interlicchio, Valley Bank Senior Vice President and Central Florida Market President, to discuss how the bank is responding to a more disciplined growth environment, shifting client expectations, and Central Florida’s rise. “It’s not about growing for growth’s sake, but about strategic, disciplined growth,” Interlicchio said.

Since stepping further into this market leadership role, how would you characterize the past year for Valley Bank in Central Florida, and what major changes or milestones have you noticed?

From a macroeconomic perspective, the most notable shift has been the normalization of volatility and what that has required of both clients and banks to remain successful. Clients have been forced to take a more proactive and disciplined look at their business models, while banks have had to become more consultative, more disciplined, and even more relationship-driven. 

That dynamic aligns closely with Valley’s approach. Local leadership and a relationship-first model are part of our DNA, and that foundation allowed us to support clients effectively through an environment that continues to evolve.

At the local level, the past year was one of recalibration. The industry has moved from rapid expansion to more focused, disciplined growth. It’s not about growing for growth’s sake, but about strategic growth. Success today is defined by strong credit discipline, thoughtful liquidity management, and deep client engagement. In many ways, this environment validated our strategy in Central Florida and allowed us to scale what we were already doing to make a broader impact.

With Florida continuing to experience significant population growth, what changes have you seen in your clients’ needs across commercial and private banking?

Growth brings opportunity, but it also introduces challenges. Costs are higher, affordability becomes a concern, and talent is increasingly scarce. Overall competition has increased. We view competition as healthy, but it does raise the bar.

Central Florida continues to diversify well beyond its hospitality roots as we’re seeing people relocate here to start businesses, build companies, and invest long term. That creates opportunity across the market and reinforces the importance of being positioned to support clients at every stage, from early growth to well-established enterprises.

As a regional bank, we occupy a unique position. We have the balance sheet and capacity to support larger, more complex transactions, while maintaining the relationship-driven approach clients typically associate with community banks. We can deliver both scale and sophistication, alongside a highly personal, consultative experience. As industry consolidation continues, Valley’s positioning and value proposition becomes increasingly relevant.

Based on your experience, which industries or segments do you expect to drive the most opportunity for banks in this region?

We see opportunity across a broad range of industries. Population growth creates demand across healthcare, manufacturing, professional services, and more. Central Florida’s commercial and industrial base is highly diversified, which contributes to both stability and long-term opportunity.

The region is also emerging as a hub for simulation, technology, and advanced manufacturing. There is continued momentum in South Orlando around microchip and semiconductor development, supported by strong engineering programs and proximity to NASA. The region produces a deep pipeline of talent, and importantly, we’re seeing more professionals choose to stay or return to Florida to build their careers. 

That combination of talent, innovation, and diversification makes Central Florida a compelling place to live, work, and do business. 

Have you noticed other banking trends that are influencing your strategy right now, for example around credit demand, liquidity management, or advisory expectations?

Much of our strategy is shaped directly by client feedback. We regularly engage our commercial and industrial clients to understand what is top of mind, and that insight informs how we prioritize and deliver our capabilities. The positive is that our fundamentals align well with what clients are seeking.

Efficiency and productivity are major themes. Ongoing volatility has heightened the focus on tighter operations, stronger controls, and deliberate growth. That places a premium on cash-flow visibility and liquidity management. Clients want a banking partner that truly understands how their business operates and where potential pressure points may emerge.

We’re also seeing a greater emphasis on long-term partnerships over transactional banking. In uncertain environments, trust, continuity, and confidence matter. Having a partner who knows your business and remains engaged through cycles is increasingly valuable when conditions shift quickly.

Fraud mitigation is another growing concern. Clients expect robust systems and technology to manage risk, while also demanding speed, usability, and digital solutions that are easy to implement and integrate. 

How is Valley Bank implementing AI, and how are you balancing personal service with the need for digital banking capabilities?

We’re using AI primarily to drive efficiency and productivity across our teams. By reducing manual work and improving organization and automation, we’re freeing our bankers to spend more time on client engagement and advisory work. 

From a digital perspective, our capabilities are very competitive for a regional bank. We deliver sophisticated tools that rival larger institutions, while maintaining the personalized, relationship-driven approach clients often don’t experience at money-center banks.

We’re also seeing clients place greater value on consistent engagement, even when there isn’t an immediate transaction. Regular planning sessions and ongoing dialogue allows us to anticipate change and help clients stay ahead of shifting conditions.

With a continued flow of new businesses and relocating companies, how are you approaching advisory services for small and mid-sized businesses as they grow into larger organizations?

Over the past year, we recalibrated our approach to better align with client size and stage of growth. We have distinct strategies for businesses under $5 million in revenue, to those between $5 million and $25 million, and specialized teams for clients above $25 million.

Each segment has very different needs. Tailoring banker teams, advisory models, and product capabilities to those stages is essential. Our goal is to ensure clients are supposed by teams that understand their growth trajectory and can deliver the right expertise at the right time. 

That internal work positions us for sustainable growth and allows us to deliver consistent vale throughout the client lifecycle. 

From your perspective, what are the most pressing challenges in today’s banking environment, and how is Valley Bank navigating them?

Economic uncertainty has become more persistent than cyclical. Years or recurring disruption have required both banks and clients to be resilient and adaptable. Strong fundamentals, both operationally and on the balance sheet, are critical for long-term success. 

For banks like ours, volatility presents an opportunity to be a steady, trusted partner. Clients value clarity, consistency, and confidence when conditions shift. Remaining present, consultative, and engaged through cycles has never been more important.

Looking ahead to 2030, what is your outlook for the banking sector in Greater Orlando, and what are Valley Bank’s top priorities in the region?

We remain optimistic about the region and expect continued, measured growth.  Our priorities are grounded in fundamentals: disciplined growth, deep client engagement, and strong local leadership. 

We will continue to invest in Central Florida, expand our advisory capabilities, and add experienced bankers to support the opportunities ahead. Talent remains competitive across the industry, but our value proposition resonates. What attracts clients also attracts bankers, that is the ability to build meaningful relationships and deliver sophisticated solutions.

At the end of the day, relationships matter. That philosophy continues to drive strong outcomes for both our clients and our teams.