A Third Bank and a New Beginning

For Ken LaRoe, Climate First Bank is not just another entrepreneurial venture; it is the culmination of decades of experience and values shaped through two previous banking institutions. His first bank began in 1999 and was sold in 2006. His second, founded in 2009, marked his pivot into values-based banking after a transformative RV trip in which he read Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard’s memoir. That book reframed his entire view of business. It convinced him that profitability and purpose could not only coexist but propel one another.

The second bank grew rapidly but was eventually sold due to shareholder pressure. For Ken and Lex, the sale felt premature. They believed deeply in the model they had created and knew they had more to contribute. Ken questioned whether he had the energy to start again at age 62, but once he decided to move forward, his vision sharpened instantly. This time, the mission would be explicit. No hedging, no ambiguity. His wife suggested the name: Climate First Bank. Ken immediately recognized its power as authentic, honest, and unapologetically mission driven.

A Mission That Became a Movement

Climate First Bank launched with an aspiration to pair renewable energy financing with community banking principles. Even the founders did not fully anticipate how strong the market demand would become. The bank’s consumer solar program, once difficult to scale in previous years, found immediate traction thanks to improved technology, stronger processes, and greater public awareness.

Today, the bank has originated more than 8,000 consumer solar loans, alongside significant commercial renewable energy financing representing enough clean energy to power between 30,000 and 40,000 homes. The impact is both measurable and deeply motivating for the team.

Ken often says there is no better feeling than knowing the bank’s daily operations directly reduce carbon emissions and contribute to long-term climate resiliency.

A Banking Model Built on Fairness

Lex Ford explains that traditional solar financing has been riddled with predatory practices; artificially low advertised rates propped by hidden dealer fees, inflated pricing, and assumptions about tax credits that many consumers never receive. These fees were often up to 30%, ultimately driving up the cost for homeowners. This practice of “dealer fees” financing has gone by the waste side with the expiration of the solar tax credit.

Climate First Bank eliminated those practices entirely. Their loan programs carry no misleading dealer points, no hidden rate manipulation, and no pressure on installers to choose financing tied to inflated pricing structures. Their loans are straightforward, transparent, and built to treat customers with respect. The Bank is well positioned to gain market share in 2026 as the only “no dealer fee” financing of solar in the nation.

To compete with national fintech lenders, the bank’s technology subsidiary OneEthos, developed a proprietary lending platform with a three-minute application and near-instant decisioning giving installers the speed they need without compromising integrity. This blend of fintech efficiency and bank-level ethics forms the backbone of Climate First Bank’s identity.

A Full-Spectrum Bank with Mission at Its Core

Though solar lending is a highly visible part of their business, it represents only a portion of the overall portfolio. Climate First Bank has become a preferred partner for entrepreneurs, small businesses, and commercial clients across the country. Its SBA program, launched only recently, has already ranked among the top 50 in the nation.

The bank’s ethos: People, Planet, Prosperity guides every decision. It informs commercial lending, renewable energy financing, community partnerships, and new business development initiatives. Climate First Bank’s work in factoring and pre-bankable lending further extends support to early-stage companies that traditional banks often overlook.

A Remote-First Workforce Built for Speed and Talent

Launching during COVID gave Climate First Bank an unexpected advantage: remote work was built into its operating system from day one. Today, fewer than 15 of the bank’s 154 employees work in physical offices. The rest operate remotely from more than 20 states.

This model attracts disciplined, autonomous professionals who thrive without micromanagement. It also eliminates distractions and politics that often arise in shared office environments. The result is a culture that is unusually aligned, mission-focused, and energized.

The bank’s acquisition of an AI company allowed it to deploy intelligent agents throughout the organization, enhancing efficiency, enabling rapid scaling, and extending staff capacity. This combination of remote talent and sophisticated technology creates an operational rhythm far more efficient than most community banks.

Launching New Divisions and Exceeding Every Early Milestone

In just four years, Climate First Bank has launched multiple new business lines from ESOP and sustainability programs to a rapidly accelerating SBA division. The bank’s renewable energy lending initiative has gained national attention, and its factoring and asset-based lending programs fill critical gaps in the market.

Lex notes that this is the first time he and Ken have successfully completed nearly all major milestones in their original business plan within the first few years of opening a bank. The pace, he says, has been an incredible testament to the strength of their team, technology, and mission.

Growth at a Pace Few Banks Ever Achieve

Climate First Bank is widely believed to be the fastest growing de novo bank in the United States since 2009. It has surpassed $1.55 billion in assets and is on track to exceed $2 billion in the coming year.

Ken and Lex’s goal is bold: reaching $10 billion in assets within 10 years. With their current momentum, they are ahead of schedule. Monthly profits now average more than $1 million; a number that both humbles and motivates them.

The growth has not been without challenges. Interest rate volatility, regulatory scrutiny, the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank, and the broader insurance crisis in Florida have all tested the bank’s resiliency. Yet during moments when other financial institutions saw deposits flee, Climate First Bank gained deposits from customers who valued transparency and mission-driven operations.

A Culture That Surprised Even the Founder

Ken believed his previous two banks had strong cultures, but Climate First Bank created something entirely different in an environment where values, productivity, and respect are woven seamlessly together. The remote-first model attracts people who are naturally self-directed, collaborative, and committed to the bank’s mission.

Lex says the most rewarding moments come from watching people reinvent themselves in ways they never expected such as a retired executive stepping in to build the bank’s national SBA program from the ground up. Climate First Bank does not just hire talent; it unlocks it.

Impact, Giving Back, and What Comes Next

Climate First Bank invests in sustainability and social programs that genuinely move the needle avoiding superficial involvement in favor of high-impact initiatives that align with its mission. Its annual impact report catalogs measurable contributions to both environmental and community well-being. Recognition from GrowFL further amplifies the bank’s voice and reach.

Lex emphasizes that while the bank is rooted in Florida, its future footprint will be national. Many of its products already serve customers across the country, and the next phase of expansion will broaden that reach even further.

Advice for Entrepreneurs

Ken LaRoe’s message is concise and powerful.
“I have a short answer. It is think big. And I mean, its cliché, but it is true. Think big. Do not let where you are from define what you can be… It took me well into adulthood to get out of the box and believe we could be nationwide or international. So that is what I would say.”

Lex Ford follows with a perspective forged by experience.
“As you go through the journey, there is an easy path and the hard path. And most often, it is the hard path that is the right one. Those with the fortitude to work the hard path will be most successful.”

Ken closes with a sentiment that summarizes their shared philosophy:
“There’s beauty in the difficult.”

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GrowFL Florida Companies to Watch (FLCTW)

The Florida Companies to Watch program, hosted annually by GrowFL, celebrates top second-stage companies across the state for their impressive growth and entrepreneurial success. This prestigious program recognizes 50 standout businesses each year, chosen from hundreds of nominees. Honorees are celebrated for their innovation, economic impact on Florida’s economy, and the ability to scale effectively. Through FLCTW, GrowFL not only acknowledges these companies’ achievements but also brings them into a spotlight that enhances their visibility in the marketplace. The event offers an extraordinary opportunity for networking, sharing best practices, and gaining exposure to potential investors and partners, making it a cornerstone for fostering business growth and recognition within Florida’s vibrant business community.