Fidelity Bankshares, Inc retained Hawk Associates in December 1999, to provide investor relations services.

The bank was in the process of transforming itself from a classic thrift to a full service regional bank. The company had just invested in the opening of 10 new branches in the most aggressive strategy since the formation of the bank in 1952 and was ready to launch a more aggressive information and investor relations program. The bank had 32 branches.

With a market cap of only $100 million, the company was covered by two sell side analysts and received occasional mentions in the local press. On a pre-split basis, the price of the stock was $5.16.

Hawk immediately began providing retail exposure through the Hawk website along with the Hawk investment profile and a new program of email alerts. Hawk organized several press luncheons and press interviews with senior management that resulted in substantially improved media relations and a significant improvement in coverage in the South Florida media.

Hawk helped organize institutional road shows, introducing management to new investors.

Hawk significantly upgraded the company’s overall media communications strategy and substantially improved the company’s annual reports to shareholders.

By September of 2006, Fidelity enjoyed coverage from 10 sell side analysts. The company market cap had grown to $989 million, nearly $1 billion. The bank had 52 branches.

In November 2006, Fidelity Bankshares was sold to National City Corporation.

Fidelity shareholders received $39.50 per share.

Fidelity Federal CEO Vince Elhilow sent a farewell letter to CEO Frank Hawkins:

“I have said it many times, but I want to say again what a wonderful job you and your firm have done for our bank . . . . . You have done an outstanding job for us and I cannot express how much you were appreciated not only in the investor relations area, but also by just being a good friend to all of us.”