DLP Bank Taps Veteran Chris Funk as President to Spearhead Growth

STARKE, FL – April 01, 2026 – DLP Bank has appointed veteran financial executive Christopher “Chris” Funk as its new President, a strategic move signaling an intensified focus on growth and market expansion for the Bradford County-headquartered institution. Funk, who brings more than two decades of industry experience, steps into the role previously held by Interim President Harry Gunsallus.

The appointment comes at a pivotal time for DLP Bank, which has been on a rapid growth trajectory since its acquisition by DLP Bancshares in September 2022. Funk will now be the highest-ranking executive, tasked with steering the bank’s day-to-day operations, expanding its lending portfolio, driving deposit growth, and charting its expansion into new markets.

“I’m grateful and enthusiastic to be joining DLP Bank at such an exciting inflection point for the bank,” Funk stated in the official announcement. “DLP Bank’s recent growth has been nothing short of impressive, and I’m eager to step into a position where I can play a front-and-center role in maintaining the organization’s rapid momentum in 2026 and beyond.”

A Strategic Play for Accelerated Growth

Funk’s appointment is the latest chapter in a significant transformation for the bank, which was founded in 1957 as Community State Bank. Its acquisition by DLP Bancshares, a holding company backed by the private real estate investment firm DLP Real Estate Capital Inc. (DLP Capital), marked a turning point. Following the acquisition, DLP Bancshares made a “significant capital contribution” to bolster the bank’s lending capacity and fuel its growth ambitions. The institution officially rebranded to DLP Bank in November 2023, aligning its identity with its new parent organization.

This strategic investment has already yielded measurable results. The bank has earned a spot on the Inc. 5000 list of America's fastest-growing private companies for two consecutive years, ranking #3591 in the 2025 list. This honor is a testament to the substantial revenue growth achieved in the years following the acquisition, a period during which the bank leveraged fresh capital to expand its services and loan origination capabilities.

Hiring a seasoned executive like Funk appears to be a calculated move to build on this momentum. His mandate to oversee expansion suggests that DLP Bank is ready to move beyond its traditional strongholds in Bradford and Union counties. He will report directly to the bank’s seven-member board of directors, which is chaired by Bob Peterson, the Chief Financial Officer of DLP Capital, ensuring tight alignment between the bank’s operations and the parent company’s overarching strategy.

A Veteran Leader for a New Era

Funk’s extensive and varied background makes him uniquely suited for the challenges ahead. His 21 years in community banking are complemented by 15 years in executive leadership, providing a blend of grassroots financial expertise and high-level strategic vision. Before joining DLP Bank, he served as Chief Lending Officer at PenAir Credit Union, a major $2.8 billion institution with a multi-state footprint, giving him insight into the operations of a large, growth-oriented financial entity.

His career path reflects a deep-rooted expertise in credit and commercial lending. He spent 20 years at Hickory Point Bank & Trust in Illinois, rising through the ranks from a credit analyst to Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer. In that role, he was responsible for managing credit risk across the commercial banking division, a critical skill for any institution planning to aggressively expand its loan portfolio. His experience also includes a tenure as a Senior Commercial Lender and market executive for Beach Bank in Northwest Florida, where he was responsible for building a market presence.

Funk’s transition from a large credit union back to a community bank setting is indicative of a broader trend in the financial industry, where seasoned leaders are sought to infuse smaller institutions with the strategic discipline of larger players while preserving a community-centric ethos. His public service as a City Council Member in Decatur, Illinois, where he focused on fiscal responsibility and infrastructure, further underscores a commitment to community development that aligns with DLP Bank’s stated mission.

Recommitting to Community Roots in a Competitive Market

While growth is a clear priority, Funk's leadership is also expected to reinforce the bank's commitment to its local communities. DLP Bank operates in a competitive North Florida market, facing established players like Capital City Bank and First Federal Bank, both of which have a presence in Starke. The region is also served by numerous credit unions, creating a dynamic environment where customer service and community connection are key differentiators.

Bob Peterson, Chairman of DLP Bank’s board, highlighted this alignment in the announcement. “Chris’ personal and professional mission to transform lives, families, and communities—paired with his extensive experience as a community banking leader—makes him an ideal leader for DLP Bank,” Peterson said. “On behalf of all of us at DLP Capital and DLP Bank, we’re proud to welcome Chris and look forward to the impact we’ll make under his leadership.”

This mission is central to the identity of both the bank and its parent company. DLP Bank's role is not just to be a financial institution but to be an engine for local prosperity, helping residents and businesses “dream bigger, live better, and prosper more.” Funk’s challenge will be to balance the aggressive growth targets set by the board with the preservation of the customer-centric service that has been the hallmark of the bank since its days as Community State Bank.

The DLP Ecosystem and a Broader Mission

DLP Bank is a crucial component of the wider DLP Capital ecosystem. Founded in 2006 by CEO Don Wenner, DLP Capital is a private investment firm managing over $5 billion in assets with a core mission to address societal crises, particularly the lack of attainable workforce housing. The firm invests in and finances real estate projects across the country, aiming to provide housing for one million people.

The bank provides the traditional financial infrastructure that supports this ambitious real estate-focused mission. By growing its deposit base and lending capacity, DLP Bank can more effectively finance local business ventures and real estate projects, including those that align with DLP Capital's community development goals. This vertical integration—where a real estate investment firm owns a federally insured depository institution—provides strategic advantages, allowing for more seamless capital flow and financial services tailored to the needs of its broader investment platform.

As President, Funk is now at the intersection of these two worlds: the grounded, relationship-driven world of community banking and the fast-paced, high-stakes environment of a national real estate investment powerhouse. His leadership will be instrumental in demonstrating how a local bank can thrive and expand while serving as a vital instrument in a much larger mission to build and transform communities across the nation.