Edgar Filing: CenterState Banks, Inc.

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Form S-3

As filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on January 9, 2017

Registration No. 333-

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM S-3

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

CenterState Banks, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Florida

59-3606741

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

1101 First Street South

Winter Haven, Florida 33880

(863) 293-4710

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

Jennifer Idell

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

CenterState Banks, Inc.

1101 First Street South

Winter Haven, Florida 33880

(863) 293-4710

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

Copies to:

Frank M. Conner III

Michael P. Reed

Covington & Burling LLP

One City Center

850 10^th Street, NW

Washington, DC 20001

(202) 662-5986

John P. Greeley

Smith Mackinnon, PA

Suite 1200, Citrus Center

255 South Orange Avenue

Orlando, Florida 32801

(407) 843-7300

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after the effective date of this registration statement.

If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. ☐

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box. ☒

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐

If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☒

If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE



Title of Each Class of Securities to be Registered	Amount to be Registered Proposed Maximum Offering Price Per Unit Proposed Maximum Offering Price(1)	Amount of Registration Fee
Common Stock	(1)	(2)
Preferred Stock	(1)	(2)
Depositary Shares	(1)	(2)
Warrants	(1)	(2)
Stock Purchase Contracts	(1)	(2)
Units	(1)	(2)

(1)

An unspecified aggregate initial offering price or number of the securities of each identified class is being registered from time to time be offered at indeterminate prices. Separate consideration may or may not be received for securities that are issuable on exercise, conversion or exchange of other securities or that are issued in units or represented by depositary shares. In accordance with Rules 456(b) and 457(r), the registrant is deferring payment of all of the registration fee and will pay the registration fee subsequently in advance or on a pay-as-you-go basis.

(2)

In accordance with Rules 456(b) and 457(r), the registrant is deferring payment of all of the registration fee, except for $11,263.00 that the registrant is entitled to offset pursuant to Rule 457(b) for fees paid with respect to unsold securities registered on Registration Statement No. 333-186148 which was filed by the registrant on January 23, 2013, having an aggregate initial offering price of $150,000,000 which securities were not sold. In connection with the securities offered hereby, except for the application of these previously-paid fees, the registrant will pay the registration fee on a pay-as-you-go basis pursuant to Rule 456(b)

PROSPECTUS

CenterState Banks, Inc.

Common Stock

Preferred Stock

Depositary Shares

Warrants

Stock Purchase Contracts

Units

We may offer and sell, from time to time, in one or more series, shares of our common stock, shares of our preferred stock, depositary shares, warrants to purchase other securities, stock purchase contracts, or units consisting of a combination of two or more of these securities. Each time we offer any securities pursuant to this prospectus, we will provide you with a prospectus supplement that will described the specific amounts, prices and terms of the securities being offered. You should read this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement carefully before you invest in the securities described in the applicable prospectus supplement. This prospectus may not be used to consummate sales of securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement.

Our common stock is currently listed for trading on The Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “CSFL.”

There are significant risks associated with an investment in our securities. You should read carefully the risks we describe beginning on page 3 of this prospectus and contained in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, which is incorporated herein by reference, as well as any risk factors included in, or incorporated by reference into, the applicable prospectus supplement, to read about factors you should consider before buying any securities issued by us.

These securities are not savings accounts, deposits or other obligations of any of our bank and non-bank subsidiaries and are not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission, any state securities commission, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency nor any other regulatory body has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

These securities are unsecured and are not deposits and are not insured by the FDIC or any other governmental agency.

This prospectus is dated January 9, 2017.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Prospectus


	Page
About this Prospectus		i
Where You Can Find More Information		ii
Special Cautionary Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements		iii
CenterState Banks, Inc.		1
Risk Factors		3
Use of Proceeds		4
Plan of Distribution		5
Description of Common Stock		8
Description of Preferred Stock		9
Description of Depositary Shares		11
Description of Warrants		14
Description of Stock Purchase Contracts		15
Description of Units		15
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges and Preference Dividends		16
Validity of Securities		16
Experts		16

Unless the context requires otherwise, references to “we,” “us,” “our,” “CenterState,” “registrant” or similar terms are to CenterState Banks, Inc. and its subsidiaries.

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is a part of a “shelf” registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which we refer to as the SEC. Under this shelf registration statement, we may sell, either separately or together, common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares representing interests in preferred stock, warrants, stock purchase contracts and units in one or more offerings up to an indeterminate total dollar amount. The preferred stock, warrants, stock purchase contracts and units may be convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for common or preferred stock or other securities issued by us or equity securities issued by one or more other entities.

This prospectus only provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we sell securities, we will provide a supplement to this prospectus that contains specific information about the terms of the securities and the offering. A prospectus supplement may include a discussion of any risk factors or other special considerations applicable to those securities or to us. The supplement also may add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. If there is any inconsistency between the information in this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, you should rely on the information in the applicable prospectus supplement. You should carefully read both this prospectus and any supplement, together with the additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information” below. We may also prepare free writing prospectuses that describe particular securities. Any free writing prospectus should also be read in connection with this prospectus and with any prospectus supplement referred to therein. For purposes of this prospectus, any reference to an applicable prospectus supplement may also refer to a free writing prospectus, unless the context otherwise requires.

The registration statement containing this prospectus, including exhibits to the registration statement, provides additional information about us and the securities offered under this prospectus. That registration statement can be read at the SEC website or at the SEC office mentioned under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information” below. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. You should assume that the information contained in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement is accurate only as of the date on its cover page and that any information we have incorporated by reference herein or therein is accurate only as of the date given in the document incorporated by reference.

You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement. Neither we nor any underwriter or agent have authorized anyone else to provide you with additional or different information. We may only use this prospectus to sell securities if it is accompanied by a prospectus supplement. We are only offering these securities in jurisdictions where the offer is permitted. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus or the applicable prospectus supplement or any document incorporated by reference is accurate as of any date other than the dates of the applicable documents.

We may sell securities to underwriters who will sell the securities to the public on terms fixed at the time of sale. In addition, the securities may be sold by us directly or through dealers or agents designated from time to time. If we directly or through agents, solicit offers to purchase the securities, we reserve the sole right to accept and, together with any agents, to reject, in whole or in part, any of those offers. See “Plan of Distribution” below.

Any prospectus supplement will contain the names of the underwriters, dealers or agents, if any, together with the terms of the offering, the compensation of those underwriters and the net proceeds to us. Any underwriters, dealers or agents participating in the offering may be deemed “underwriters” within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We file annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any document that we file at the SEC’s public reference room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference room. Our SEC filings are also available to the public from the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Our SEC filings are also available at the offices of The Nasdaq Global Select Market. For further information on obtaining copies of our public filings at The Nasdaq Global Select Market, you should call 212-401-8700.

The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference the information we file with them, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus, and later information that we file with the SEC will automatically update and supersede this information. When we update the information contained in documents that have been incorporated by reference by making future filings with the SEC, the information incorporated by reference in this prospectus is considered to be automatically updated and superseded. In other words, in all cases, if you are considering whether to rely on information contained in this prospectus or information incorporated by reference into this prospectus, you should rely on the information contained in the document that was filed later. We incorporate by reference the following documents listed below (each bearing the File No. 000-32017) and any future filings in each case (other than current reports or portions thereof furnished under Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of Form 8-K) made with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14, or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), until our offering is completed (other than information in such additional documents that are deemed, under the Exchange Act, in accordance with the Exchange Act and the SEC rules, not to have been filed):

•

annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 (including portions of our Definitive Proxy Statement for our 2016 Annual Meeting of Shareholders filed on March 3, 2016 with the SEC to the extent specifically incorporated by reference in such Form 10-K);

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quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2016, June 30, 2016 and September 30, 2016;

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current Reports on Form 8-K filed on the following dates: February 4, 2016, March 1, 2016, May 2, 2016, September 15, 2016, October 18, 2016, November 30, 2016 and January 9, 2017; and

•

the description of our common stock which is contained in our Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed on November 27, 2000, including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description.

These documents are available without charge to you on the Internet at www.centerstatebanks.com or if you call or write to CenterState Banks, Inc., 1101 First Street South, Winter Haven, Florida 33880, Attention: Jennifer Idell, Chief Financial Officer, (863) 293-4710. Reference to our website is not intended to be an active link. Any information on our website is not, and you must not consider the information to be, a part of this prospectus.

SPECIAL CAUTIONARY NOTICE

REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

We make statements in this prospectus and the documents incorporated herein by reference, and we may from time to time make other statements regarding our outlook or expectations for earnings, revenues, expenses, and/or other financial, business, or strategic matters regarding or affecting the Company that are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning and protections of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act.

All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be forward-looking statements. You can identify these forward-looking statements through our use of words such as “may”, “will”, “anticipate”, “assume”, “should”, “indicate”, “would”, “believe”, “contemplate”, “expect”, “estimate”, “continue”, “plan”, “point to”, “project”, “could”, “intend”, “target”, and other similar words and expressions of the future. Forward-looking statements include statements with respect to our beliefs, plans, objectives, goals, expectations, anticipations, assumptions, estimates, intentions, and future performance, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may be beyond our control, and which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements may not be realized due to a variety of factors, including, without limitation:

•

general economic, business and market conditions in our local markets, as well as nationally and globally;

•

changes in governmental monetary and fiscal policies;

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legislative and regulatory changes, including changes in banking, securities and tax laws and regulations and their application by our regulators, and changes in the scope and cost of FDIC insurance and other coverages;

•

changes in accounting policies, rules and practices;

•

the risks of changes in interest rates on the levels, composition and costs of deposits, loan demand, and the values and liquidity of loan collateral, securities, and interest sensitive assets and liabilities;

•

our ability to monitor interest rate risk;

•

credit risks of borrowers;

•

changes in the availability and cost of credit and capital in the financial markets;

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changes in the prices, values and sales volumes of residential and commercial real estate;

•

the effects of competition from a wide variety of local, regional, national and other providers of financial, investment and insurance services;

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the failure of our assumptions underlying the establishment of reserves for possible loan losses and other estimates;

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the risks of mergers, acquisitions and divestitures, including, without limitation, the related time and costs of implementing such transactions, integrating operations as part of these transactions and possible failures to achieve expected gains, revenue growth and/or expense savings from such transactions;

•

changes in technology or products that may be more difficult, costly, or less effective than anticipated;

•

potential cyber-security incidents affecting or impacting us;

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changes in consumer behaviors in spending, saving and borrowing and our ability to respond to those changes with effective products and services;

•

the effects of war or other conflicts, acts of terrorism or other catastrophic events that may affect general economic conditions; and

iii

•

other factors and risks described under “Risk Factors” incorporated by reference herein and in any of our subsequent reports that we make with the SEC under the Exchange Act.

All written or oral forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made and are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary notice. We have no obligation and do not undertake to update, revise or correct any of the forward-looking statements after the date of this prospectus, or after the respective dates on which such statements otherwise are made.

CENTERSTATE BANKS, INC.

Overview

We are a financial holding company which owns CenterState Bank of Florida, N.A. (“CenterState Bank”). Headquartered in Winter Haven, Florida, we provide a full range of consumer and commercial banking services to individuals, businesses and industries through 67 bank office network located within 23 counties throughout Florida, as well as a loan production office in Macon, Georgia. As of September 30, 2016, CenterState Bank was the second largest Florida-based community banking organization in terms of publicly available deposit data (on a pro forma basis taking into account the closing of its pending acquisition transactions with Platinum Bank Holding Company (“Platinum”) and Gateway Financial Holdings of Florida, Inc. (“Gateway”). We also own R4ALL, Inc., which acquires and disposes troubled assets.

We also operate, through our subsidiary bank, a correspondent banking and capital markets service division for approximately 600 small and medium sized community banks throughout the United States. Based primarily in Atlanta, Georgia and Birmingham, Alabama, this division earns commissions on fixed income security sales, fees from hedging services, loan brokerage fees and consulting fees for services related to these activities.

We have grown from our formation in 2000 primarily through a series of acquisitions, starting in June 2000 through 2015. Our most recent acquisitions include:

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Gulfstream Bancshares, Inc., in January 2014, which added approximately $479 million in deposits;

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First Southern Bancorp, Inc., in June 2014, which added approximately $853 million in deposits;

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Community Bank of South Florida, Inc., in March 2016, which added approximately $453 million in deposits; and

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Hometown of Homestead Banking Company, in March 2016, which added approximately $253 million in deposits.

At September 30, 2016, we had total consolidated assets of $5.0 billion, total consolidated loans of $3.3 billion, total consolidated deposits of $4.1 billion, and total consolidated shareholders’ equity of $552.8 million.

Recent Developments

On October 17, 2016, we entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Platinum, the holding company of Platinum Bank. The transaction was approved by the boards of directors of both companies and is expected to close in the second quarter of 2017. Completion of the transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including receipt of required regulatory approvals and approval of Platinum’s shareholders. Under the terms of the agreement, holders of Platinum common stock will receive 3.7832 shares of our common stock and $7.60 in cash for each share of Platinum common stock, which equates to an aggregate transaction value of approximately $83.8 million, based on our closing stock price on September 30, 2016 (comprised of approximately 74.5 million of our common stock and $9.3 million of cash).

On November 30, 2016, we entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Gateway, the holding company of Gateway Bank of Florida, Gateway Bank of Central Florida, and Gateway Bank of Southwest Florida. The transaction was approved by the boards of directors of both companies and Gateway and is expected to close in the second quarter of 2017. Completion of the transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including receipt of required regulatory approvals and approval of Gateway’s shareholders. Under the terms of the agreement, holders of Gateway common stock will receive $18.00 in cash or 0.95 shares of our common stock for each share of Gateway common stock; provided, however, that the aggregate cash payment shall constitute 30% of the merger consideration, which equates to an aggregate transaction value of approximately $116.9 million, based on our closing stock price on September 30, 2016.

Corporate Information

We incorporated under the laws of the State of Florida on September 20, 1999. Our executive offices are located at 1101 First Street South, Winter Haven, Florida 33880. Our telephone number at this address is 863-293-4710 and our website is www.centerstatebanks.com. The information on our website is not part of this proxy statement/prospectus, and the reference to our website address does not constitute incorporation by reference of any information on that website into this proxy statement/prospectus.

RISK FACTORS

Investing in our securities involves risk. Before investing in our securities, you should carefully consider all of the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement and the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein as set out in the section entitled “Where You Can Find More Information,” including, in particular, the matters, risks, uncertainties and assumptions described under the caption “Risk Factors” included herein and therein. For information regarding documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement, see “Where You Can Find More Information.”

USE OF PROCEEDS

We intend to use the net proceeds from the sales of the securities that may be offered under this prospectus as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, which may include general corporate purposes.

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We may sell securities offered under this prospectus:

•

through underwriters or dealers;

•

through agents; or

•

directly to one or more purchasers.

The distribution of the securities may be effected from time to time in one or more transactions at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed from time to time, or at negotiated prices.

For each type and series of securities offered, the applicable prospectus supplement will set forth the terms of the offering, including, without limitation:

•

the initial public offering price;

•

the names of any underwriters, dealers or agents;

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the purchase price of the securities;

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the use of proceeds from the sale of the securities to us;

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any underwriting discounts, agency fees, or other compensation payable to underwriters or agents;

•

any discounts or concessions allowed or re-allowed or repaid to dealers; and

•

the securities exchanges on which the securities will be listed, if any.

If we use underwriters in any sale of securities offered under this prospectus, the underwriters will buy the securities for their own account. The underwriters may then resell the securities in one or more transactions at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale or thereafter. The obligations of the underwriters to purchase the securities will be subject to certain conditions. The underwriters will be obligated to purchase all the securities offered if they purchase any securities. The initial public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or re-allowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time. In connection with an offering, underwriters and their affiliates may engage in transactions to stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the market price of the securities in accordance with applicable law.

Underwriters or agents may make sales in privately negotiated transactions and/or any other method permitted by law, including sales deemed to be an “at-the-market” offering as defined in Rule 415 promulgated under the Securities Act, which includes sales made directly on The Nasdaq Global Select Market, the existing trading market for our common stock, or sales made to or through a market maker other than on an exchange.

If we use dealers in any sale of securities offered under this prospectus, the securities will be sold to such dealers as principals. The dealers may then resell the securities to the public at varying prices to be determined by such dealers at the time of resale. If agents are used in any sale of securities offered under this prospectus, they will use their reasonable best efforts to solicit purchases for the period of their appointment. If securities offered under this prospectus are sold directly, no underwriters, dealers or agents would be involved. We are not making an offer of securities in any state that does not permit such an offer.

Underwriters, dealers and agents that participate in any distribution of securities may be deemed to be underwriters as defined in the Securities Act. Any discounts, commissions or profit they receive when they resell the securities may be treated as underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. We expect that any agreements we may have with underwriters, dealers and agents will include provisions indemnifying them against certain civil liabilities, including certain liabilities under the Securities Act, or providing for contribution with respect to payments that they may be required to make.

We may authorize underwriters, dealers or agents to solicit offers from certain institutions whereby the institution contractually agrees to purchase the securities offered under this prospectus from us on a future date at a specific price. This type of contract may be made only with institutions that we specifically approve. Such institutions could include banks, insurance companies, pension funds, investment companies and educational and charitable institutions. The underwriters, dealers or agents will not be responsible for the validity or performance of these contracts.

Sales of securities offered under this prospectus also may be effected by us from time to time in one or more types of transactions (which may include block transactions, special offerings, exchange distributions, secondary distributions or purchases by a broker or dealer) on The Nasdaq Global Select Market or any other national securities exchange or automated trading and quotation system on which our common stock or other securities are listed, in the over-the-counter market, in transactions otherwise than on such exchanges and systems or the over-the-counter market, including negotiated transactions, through options transactions relating to the shares, or a combination of such methods of sale, at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at negotiated prices or at fixed prices. Such transactions may or may not involve brokers or dealers. Any shares of our common stock offered under this prospectus will be listed on The Nasdaq Global Select Market, subject to notice of issuance.

Each issue of a new series of preferred stock, depositary shares, warrants, stock purchase contracts or units will be a new issue of securities with no established trading market, except as indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement. It has not been established whether the underwriters, if any, of the securities offered under this prospectus will make a market in these securities. If a market in any series of preferred stock, depositary shares, warrants, stock purchase contracts or units is made by any such underwriters, such market-making may be discontinued at any time without notice. We can give no assurance as to the liquidity of the trading market of these securities.

In order to facilitate the offering of any of the securities offered under this prospectus, the underwriters with respect to any such offering may, as described in the prospectus supplement, engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of the securities or any other securities the prices of which may be used to determine payments on these securities. Specifically, the underwriters may over-allot in connection with the offering, creating a short position in these securities for their own accounts. In addition, to cover over-allotments or to stabilize the price of these securities or of any other securities, the underwriters may bid for, and purchase, these securities or any other securities in the open market. Finally, in any offering of the securities offered under this prospectus through a syndicate of underwriters, the underwriting syndicate may reclaim selling concessions allowed to an underwriter or a dealer for distributing these securities in the offering, if the syndicate repurchases previously distributed securities in transactions to cover syndicate short positions, in stabilization transactions or otherwise. Any of these activities may stabilize or maintain the market price of these securities above independent market levels. The underwriters are not required to engage in these activities, and may end any of these activities at any time, all as described in the prospectus supplement.

If so indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, one or more firms, which we refer to as “remarketing firms,” acting as principals for their own accounts or as agents for us, may offer and sell the securities offered under this prospectus as part of a remarketing upon their purchase, in accordance with their terms. We will identify any remarketing firm, the terms of its agreement, if any, with us and its compensation in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Remarketing firms, agents, underwriters and dealers may be entitled under agreements with us to indemnification by or contribution from us against some civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, and may be customers of, engage in transactions with or perform services for us in the ordinary course of business.

Any person participating in the distribution of securities will be subject to applicable provisions of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations under the Exchange Act, including without limitation Regulation M,

which may limit the timing of transactions involving the securities offered under this prospectus. Furthermore, Regulation M may restrict the ability of any person engaged in the distribution of such securities to engage in market-making activities with respect to the particular securities being distributed. All of the above may affect the marketability of the securities offered under this prospectus and the ability of any person or entity to engage in market-making activities with respect to such securities.

Under the securities law of various states, the securities offered under this prospectus may be sold in those states only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers. In addition, in various states the securities offered under this prospectus may not be offered and sold unless such securities have been registered or qualified for sale in the state or an exemption from such registration or qualification is available and is complied with.

DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK

General

We have 100,000,000 shares of authorized common stock, $0.01 par value per share, of which 48,016,624 shares were outstanding as of September 30, 2016.

Holders of our common stock are entitled to receive dividends if, as and when declared by our board of directors out of any funds legally available for dividends. Holders of our common stock are also entitled, upon our liquidation, and after claims of creditors and any class or series of preferred stock outstanding at the time of liquidation, to receive pro rata our net assets. We may pay dividends on our common stock only if we have paid or provided for all dividends on our outstanding series of preferred stock for the then current period and, in the case of any cumulative preferred stock, all prior periods.

Any series of preferred stock upon issuance will have, preference over our common stock with respect to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets in the event of our liquidation or dissolution. Our preferred stock also has such other preferences as currently, or as may be, fixed by our board of directors.

Holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote for each share that they hold and are vested with all of the voting power except as our board of directors has provided, or may provide in the future, with respect to preferred stock or any other class or series of preferred stock that the board of directors may hereafter authorize. Shares of our common stock are not redeemable, and have no subscription, conversion or preemptive rights.

Our common stock is currently listed for trading on The Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “CSFL.” Outstanding shares of our common stock are validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable. Holders of our common stock are not, and will not be, subject to any liability as shareholders.

Transfer Agent and Registrar

The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Continental Stock Transfer and Trust Company.

Restrictions on Ownership

The federal Bank Holding Company Act requires any “bank holding company,” as defined in the Bank Holding Company Act, to obtain prior Federal Reserve Board approval for, among other things, the acquisition by a bank holding company of direct or indirect ownership or control of more than 5% of the voting shares or substantially all the assets of any bank, or for a merger or consolidation of a bank holding company with another bank holding company. The federal Change in Bank Control Act also requires notice to the regulatory agencies when a person or a company acquires control (as defined in the Change in Bank Control Act) of us. In addition, the Florida Interstate Banking Act requires any “bank holding company,” as defined in such Act, to obtain prior approval of the Florida Office of Financial Regulation before it may (1) merge or consolidate with us; (2) assume direct or indirect ownership or control of (a) more than 25% of our voting shares, if the acquiring company was not a bank holding company prior to such acquisition; (b) more than 5% of our voting shares, if the acquiring company was a bank holding company prior to such acquisition; or (c) all or substantially all of our assets, if the acquiring company was a bank holding company prior to such acquisition; or (3) take any other action that results in the direct or indirect acquisition of control of us, if the acquiring company was a bank holding company prior to such acquisition.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK

The following outlines the general provisions of the shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, or “preferred stock,” that we may offer from time to time. The specific terms of a series of preferred stock will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to that series of preferred stock. The following description of the preferred stock and any description of preferred stock in a prospectus supplement is only a summary and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the articles of amendment to our articles of incorporation relating to the particular series of preferred stock, which we will file with the SEC upon the sale of any series of preferred stock.

General

Under our articles of incorporation, as amended, which we refer to as our articles of incorporation, we have authority to issue up to five million shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share.

As of the date of this prospectus, we do not have any shares of preferred stock designated or issued or outstanding. However, the creation and issuance, or an increase in the authorized or issued amount, whether pursuant to preemptive or similar rights or otherwise, of any other series of preferred stock, or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for any other series of preferred stock, will rank prior to our common stock as to dividends and any distribution of our assets.

The five million unissued shares of preferred stock are typically referred to as “blank check” preferred stock. This term refers to stock for which the rights and restrictions are determined by the board of directors of a corporation. Except in limited circumstances, our articles of incorporation authorize our board of directors to issue new shares of our common stock or preferred stock without further shareholder action.

Our articles of incorporation give the board of directors authority at any time to provide for the issuance of shares of preferred stock in one or more series, with such voting powers, full or limited, or without voting powers, and with such designations, preferences and relative participating, option or other rights, qualifications, limitations or restrictions, as shall be fixed and determined in the resolution or resolutions providing for the issuance thereof adopted by the board of directors. Such authority includes, but not limited to:

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increasing the number of shares of any preferred series;

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decreasing the number of shares of a preferred series, but not to a number less than the number of shares outstanding; and

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determining the rate and manner of payment of dividends payable on shares of such series, liquidation preferences, terms of redemption, conversion ratios, if any, and preemptive rights.

In addition, as described under “Description of Depositary Shares,” we may, instead of offering full shares of any new series of preferred stock, offer depositary shares evidenced by depositary receipts, each representing a fraction of a share of the particular series of preferred stock issued and deposited with a depositary. The fraction of a share of preferred stock which each depositary share represents will be set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to such depositary shares.

The prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of preferred stock will contain a description of the specific terms of that series, including, as applicable:

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the title, designation, number of shares and stated or liquidation value of the preferred stock;

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the dividend amount or rate or method of calculation, the payment dates for dividends and the place or places where the dividends will be paid, whether dividends will be cumulative or noncumulative, and, if cumulative, the dates from which dividends will begin to accrue;

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any conversion or exchange rights;

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whether the preferred stock will be subject to redemption and the redemption price and other terms and conditions relative to the redemption rights;

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any sinking fund provisions;

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rights upon liquidation;

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any voting rights;

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the exchange or market, if any, where the preferred stock will be listed or traded; and

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any other rights, preferences, privileges, limitations and restrictions that are not inconsistent with the terms of our articles of incorporation.

Upon the issuance and payment for shares of preferred stock, the shares will be fully paid and nonassessable. Except as otherwise may be specified in the prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of preferred stock, holders of preferred stock will not have any preemptive or subscription rights to acquire any class or series of our capital stock.

The issuance of additional common stock or preferred stock may be viewed as having adverse effects upon the holders of common stock. Holders of our common stock will have no preemptive rights with respect to any newly issued stock. Our board of directors could adversely affect the voting powers of holders of our stock by issuing shares of preferred stock with certain voting, conversion and/or redemption rights. In the event of a proposed merger, tender offer or other attempt to gain control of CenterState that the board of directors does not believe to be in the best interest of our shareholders, the board could issue additional preferred stock which could make any such takeover attempt more difficult to complete. Blank check preferred stock may also be used in connection with the issuance of a shareholder rights plan, sometimes called a poison pill. Our board of directors has not approved any plan to issue preferred stock for this purpose. Our board of directors does not intend to issue any preferred stock except on terms that the board deems to be in the best interests of our company and its shareholders.

Redemption

If so specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, a series of preferred stock may be redeemable at any time, in whole or in part, at our option, and may be mandatorily redeemable or convertible. Restrictions, if any, on the repurchase or redemption by us of any series of our preferred stock will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to that series. Generally, any redemption of our preferred stock will be subject to prior Federal Reserve approval. Any partial redemptions of preferred stock will be made in a way that our board of directors decides is equitable.

Upon the redemption date of shares of preferred stock called for redemption or upon our earlier call and deposit of the redemption price, all rights of holders of the preferred shares called for redemption will terminate, except for the right to receive the redemption price.

Transfer Agent and Registrar

The transfer agent, registrar, dividend paying agent and depositary, if any, for any preferred stock offering will be stated in the applicable prospectus supplement.

DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES

The following briefly summarizes the general provisions of the depositary shares representing a fraction of a share of preferred stock of a specific series, or “depositary shares,” and depositary receipts (as defined below) that we may issue from time to time and which would be important to holders of depositary receipts. The specific terms of any depositary shares or depositary receipts, including pricing and related terms, will be disclosed in the applicable prospectus supplement. The prospectus supplement will also state whether any of the general provisions summarized below apply or not to the depositary shares or depositary receipts being offered. The following description and any description in a prospectus supplement is a summary only and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, the terms and provisions of the deposit agreement(s), which we will file with the SEC in connection with an issuance of depositary shares.

Description of Depositary Shares

We may offer depositary shares evidenced by receipts for such depositary shares, which we sometimes refer to as “depositary receipts.” Each depositary receipt represents a fraction of a share of the particular series of preferred stock issued and deposited with a depositary. The fraction of a share of preferred stock which each depositary share represents will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

We will deposit the shares of any series of preferred stock represented by depositary shares according to the provisions of a deposit agreement to be entered into between us and a bank or trust company, which we will select as our preferred stock depositary, and which may be the same institution that serves as an indenture trustee. The depositary must have its principal office in the United States and have combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000. We will name the depositary in the applicable prospectus supplement. Each owner of a depositary share will be entitled to all the rights and preferences of the underlying preferred stock in proportion to the applicable fraction of a share of preferred stock represented by the depositary share. These rights include dividend, voting, redemption, conversion and liquidation rights. The depositary will send the holders of depositary shares all reports and communications that we deliver to the depositary and which we are required to furnish to the holders of depositary shares. We may issue depositary receipts in temporary, definitive or book-entry form.

Withdrawal of Preferred Stock

A holder of depositary shares may receive the number of whole shares of the series of preferred stock and any money or other property represented by the holder’s depositary receipts after surrendering the depositary receipts at the corporate trust office of the depositary. Partial shares of preferred stock will not be issued. If the surrendered depositary shares exceed the number of depositary shares that represent the number of whole shares of preferred stock the holder wishes to withdraw, then the depositary will deliver to the holder at the same time a new depositary receipt evidencing the excess number of depositary shares. Once the holder has withdrawn the preferred stock, the holder will not be entitled to re-deposit such preferred stock under the deposit agreement or to receive depositary shares in exchange for such preferred stock.

Dividends and Other Distributions

Holders of depositary shares of any series will receive their pro rata share of cash dividends or other cash distributions received by the depositary on the preferred stock of that series held by it. Each holder will receive these distributions in proportion to the number of depositary shares owned by the holder. The depositary will distribute only whole United States dollars and cents. The depositary will add any fractional cents not distributed to the next sum received for distribution to record holders of depositary shares. In the event of a non-cash distribution, the depositary will distribute property to the record holders of depositary shares, unless the depositary determines that it is not feasible to make such a distribution. If this occurs, the depositary, with our approval, may sell the property and distribute the net proceeds from the sale to the holders.

Redemption of Depositary Shares

If a series of preferred stock represented by depositary shares is subject to redemption, then we will give the necessary proceeds to the depositary. The depositary will then redeem the depositary shares using the funds it received from us for the preferred stock. The depositary will notify the record holders of the depositary shares to be redeemed not less than 30 days nor more than 60 days before the date fixed for redemption at the holders’ addresses appearing in the depositary’s books. The redemption price per depositary share will be equal to the redemption price payable per share for the applicable series of the preferred stock and any other amounts per share payable with respect to that series of preferred stock multiplied by the fraction of a share of preferred stock represented by one depositary share. Whenever we redeem shares of a series of preferred stock held by the depositary, the depositary will redeem the depositary shares representing the shares of preferred stock on the same day. If fewer than all the depositary shares of a series are to be redeemed, the depositary shares will be selected by lot, ratably or by such other equitable method as we and the depositary may determine.

Upon and after the redemption of shares of the underlying series of preferred stock, the depositary shares called for redemption will no longer be considered outstanding. Therefore, all rights of holders of the depositary shares will then cease, except that the holders will still be entitled to receive any cash payable upon the redemption and any money or other property to which the holder was entitled at the time of redemption.

Voting Rights

Upon receipt of notice of any meeting at which the holders of preferred stock of the related series are entitled to vote, the depositary will notify holders of depositary shares of the upcoming vote and arrange to deliver our voting materials to the holders. The record date for determining holders of depositary shares that are entitled to vote will be the same as the record date for the related series of preferred stock. The materials the holders will receive will (1) describe the matters to be voted on and (2) explain how the holders, on a certain date, may instruct the depositary to vote the shares of preferred stock underlying the depositary shares. For instructions to be valid, the depositary must receive them on or before the date specified. The depositary will try, as far as practical, to vote the shares as instructed by the holder. We will cooperate with the depositary to enable it to vote as instructed by holders of depositary shares. If any holder does not instruct the depositary how to vote the holder’s shares, the depositary will abstain from voting those shares.

Conversion or Exchange

The depositary will convert or exchange all depositary shares on the same day that the preferred stock underlying the depositary shares is converted or exchanged. In order for the depositary to do so, we will deposit with the depositary any other preferred stock, common stock or other securities into which the preferred stock is to be converted or for which it will be exchanged.

The exchange or conversion rate per depositary share will be equal to the exchange or conversion rate per share of preferred stock, multiplied by the fraction of a share of preferred stock represented by one depositary share. All amounts per depositary share payable by us for dividends that have accrued on the preferred stock to the exchange or conversion date that have not yet been paid shall be paid in appropriate amounts on the depositary shares.

The depositary shares, as such, cannot be converted or exchanged into other preferred stock, common stock, securities of another issuer or any other of our securities or property. Nevertheless, if so specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, a holder of depositary shares may be able to surrender the depositary receipts to the depositary with written instructions asking the depositary to instruct us to convert or exchange the preferred stock represented by the depositary shares into other shares of preferred stock or common stock or to exchange the preferred stock for securities of another issuer. If the depositary shares carry this right, we would agree that, upon the payment of applicable fees and taxes, if any, we will cause the conversion or exchange of the

preferred stock using the same procedures as we use for the delivery of preferred stock. If a holder is only converting part of the depositary shares represented by a depositary receipt, new depositary receipts will be issued for any depositary shares that are not converted or exchanged.

Amendment and Termination of the Deposit Agreement

We may agree with the depositary to amend the deposit agreement and the form of depositary receipt without consent of the holder at any time. However, if the amendment adds or increases fees or charges payable by holders of the depositary shares or prejudices an important right of holders, it will only become effective with the approval of holders of at least a majority of the affected depositary shares then outstanding. If an amendment becomes effective, holders are deemed to agree to the amendment and to be bound by the amended deposit agreement if they continue to hold their depositary receipts.

The deposit agreement will automatically terminate if:

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all outstanding depositary shares have been redeemed and all amounts payable upon redemption have been paid;

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each share of preferred stock held by the depositary has been converted into or exchanged for common stock, other preferred stock or other securities; or

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a final distribution in respect of the preferred stock held by the depositary has been made to the holders of depositary receipts in connection with our liquidation, dissolution or winding-up.

We may also terminate the deposit agreement at any time. Upon such event, the depositary will give notice of termination to the holders not less than 30 days before the termination date. Once depositary receipts are surrendered to the depositary, it will send to each holder the number of whole and fractional shares of the series of preferred stock underlying that holder’s depositary receipts, provided that at our election we may pay cash in lieu of fractional shares of preferred stock that may be issuable.

Charges of Depositary and Expenses

We will pay all transfer and other taxes and governmental charges in connection with the establishment of the depositary arrangements. We will pay all charges and fees of the depositary for the initial deposit of the preferred stock, the depositary’s services and redemption of the preferred stock. Holders of depositary shares will pay transfer and other taxes and governmental charges and the charges that are provided in the deposit agreement to be for the holder’s account.

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

General

We may issue warrants in one or more series to purchase common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares or any combination of these securities. Warrants may be issued independently or together with any underlying securities and may be attached to or separate from the underlying securities. We will issue each series of warrants under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into between us and a warrant agent. The warrant agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the warrants of such series and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency for or on behalf of holders or beneficial owners of warrants. The following outlines some of the general terms and provisions of the warrants. Further terms of the warrants and the applicable warrant agreement will be stated in the applicable prospectus supplement. The following description and any description of the warrants in a prospectus supplement are not complete and are subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the terms and provisions of the warrant agreement, which we will file with the SEC in connection with an issuance of any warrants.

The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of any warrants, including the following, as may be applicable:

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the title of the warrants;

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the total number of warrants to be issued;

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the consideration for which we will issue the warrants, including the applicable currency or currencies;

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anti-dilution provisions to adjust the number of shares of our common stock or other securities to be delivered upon exercise of the warrants;

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the designation and terms of the underlying securities purchasable upon exercise of the warrants;

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the price at which and the currency or currencies in which investors may purchase the underlying securities purchasable upon exercise of the warrants;

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the dates on which the right to exercise the warrants will commence and expire;

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the procedures and conditions relating to the exercise of the warrants;

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whether the warrants will be in registered or bearer form;

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information with respect to book-entry registration and transfer procedures, if any;

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the minimum or maximum amount of warrants which may be exercised at any one time;

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the designation and terms of the underlying securities with which the warrants are issued and the number of warrants issued with each underlying security;

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the date on and after which the warrants and securities issued with the warrants will be separately transferable;

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a discussion of material United States federal income tax considerations;

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the identity of the warrant agent; and

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any other terms of the warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange, transfer and exercise of the warrants.

Warrant certificates may be exchanged for new warrant certificates of different denominations, and warrants may be exercised at the warrant agent’s corporate trust office or any other office indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement. Prior to the exercise of their warrants, holders of warrants exercisable for shares of common stock, preferred stock or depositary shares will not have any rights of holders of the common stock, preferred stock or depositary shares purchasable upon such exercise, including any rights to vote such shares or to receive any distributions or dividends thereon.

Exercise of Warrants

A warrant will entitle the holder to purchase for cash an amount of securities at an exercise price that will be stated in, or that will be determinable as described in, the applicable prospectus supplement. Warrants may be exercised at any time prior to the close of business on the expiration date and in accordance with the procedures set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. Upon and after the close of business on the expiration date, unexercised warrants will be void and have no further force, effect or value.

Enforceability of Rights; Governing Law

The holders of warrants, without the consent of the warrant agent, may, on their own behalf and for their own benefit, enforce, and may institute and maintain any suit, action or proceeding against us to enforce their rights to exercise and receive the securities purchasable upon exercise of their warrants. Unless otherwise stated in the applicable prospectus supplement, each issue of warrants and the applicable warrant agreement will be governed by the laws of the State of Florida.

DESCRIPTION OF STOCK PURCHASE CONTRACTS

We may issue stock purchase contracts, including contracts obligating holders to purchase from us, and obligating us to sell to holders, a fixed or varying number of shares of common stock or preferred stock at a future date or dates. The consideration per share of common stock or preferred stock may be fixed at the time that stock purchase contracts are issued or may be determined by reference to a specific formula set forth in the stock purchase contracts. Any stock purchase contract may include anti-dilution provisions to adjust the number of shares issuable pursuant to such stock purchase contract upon the occurrence of certain events.

The stock purchase contracts may be issued separately or as a part of units consisting of a stock purchase contract and preferred securities. These contracts, and the holders’ obligations to purchase shares of our common stock or preferred stock under the stock purchase contracts, may be secured by cash, certificates of deposit, U.S. government securities that will mature prior to or simultaneously with the maturity of the equity contract, standby letters of credit from an affiliated U.S. bank that is FDIC-insured or other collateral satisfactory to the Federal Reserve. The stock purchase contracts may require us to make periodic payments to holders of the stock purchase units, or vice versa, and such payments may be unsecured or prefunded and may be paid on a current or on a deferred basis.

Any one or more of the above securities, common stock or the stock purchase contracts or other collateral may be pledged as security for the holders’ obligations to purchase or sell, as the case may be, the common stock or preferred stock under the stock purchase contracts.

DESCRIPTION OF UNITS

We may offer two or more of the securities described in this prospectus in the form of a “unit”, including pursuant to a unit agreement. The unit may be transferable only as a whole, or the securities comprising a unit may, as described in the prospectus supplement, be separated and transferred by the holder separately. There may or may not be an active market for units or the underlying securities, and not all the securities comprising a unit may be listed or traded on a securities exchange or market.

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERENCE DIVIDENDS

The following table shows the ratio of earnings to fixed charges of our Company, which includes our subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis. The ratio of earnings to fixed charges has been computed by dividing:

(a) income before income taxes plus fixed charges, by

(b) fixed charges.

Fixed charges represent interest expense, either including or excluding interest on deposits as set forth below, the portion of net rental expense deemed to be equivalent to interest on long-term debt, and preferred stock dividends, as adjusted to the amount of pre-tax earnings that is required to pay the dividends. Interest expense, other than on deposits, includes interest on long-term debt, federal funds purchased, securities sold under agreements to repurchase and other borrowed funds.

Nine Months
Ended
September 30,

Years Ended December 31,

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

Ratio of Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges and Preferred Stock Dividends:

Excluding interest on deposits

35.96x

25.91x

11.34x

17.63x

11.11x

11.19x

Including interest on deposits

7.47x

8.75x

3.47x

3.84x

2.62x

1.90x

Earnings have been calculated by adding combined fixed charges to consolidated income from continuing operations before income taxes. Combined fixed charges, excluding interest on deposits, consist of interest expense, amortization of deferred financing costs, that portion of rental expense considered to be representative of an interest factor and preferred stock dividends. For all periods, we computed the ratios of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends by dividing earnings by combined fixed charges.

VALIDITY OF SECURITIES

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, certain legal matters with respect to the securities may be passed upon for us by Smith Mackinnon, PA, Orlando, Florida. A member of the firm owns 18,364 shares of our common stock. Certain legal matters will be passed upon for any underwriters by the counsel to such underwriters specified in the applicable prospectus supplement.

EXPERTS

Our consolidated financial statements appearing in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, and the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015, have been audited by Crowe Horwath LLP independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in its report thereon, which are included therein and incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance on such reports given upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

The consolidated financial statements of Platinum and Gateway as of and for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 appearing in our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 9, 2017 have been audited by Hacker, Johnson & Smith P.A., independent auditors, as set forth in its reports thereon, which are included therein and incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance on such reports given upon the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

PART II. INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

Item 14.

Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution

The following is an itemized statement of the estimated fees and expenses in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities registered hereby:


Registration Statement filing fees	$	(1)
Listing fees and expenses		(2)
Blue Sky fees and expenses		(2)
Printing fees		(2)
Registrar and Transfer Agents’, and Depositaries’ fees and expenses		(2)
Legal fees and expenses		(2)
Accounting fees and expenses		(2)
Rating Agency Fees		(2)
Miscellaneous		(2)

Total	$	(2)

(1)

(2)	These fees are calculated based on the number of issuances and amount of securities offered and, accordingly, cannot be estimated at this time.

Item 15.

Indemnification of Directors and Officers

Section 607.0850 of the Florida Act grants a corporation the power to indemnify its directors, officers, employees, and agents by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director, officer, employee, or agent of the corporation or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee, or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise against liability incurred in connection with such proceeding (other than an action by, or in the right of, the corporation). In general, if an individual acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the corporation and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe the action was unlawful, then the corporation has the power to indemnify said individual who was or is a party to any proceeding against liability expenses, including counsel fees, incurred in connection with such proceeding, including any appeal thereof.

In the case of proceedings by or in the right of the corporation, the Florida Act permits indemnification of any person by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against liability incurred in connection with such proceeding, including appeals thereof; provided, however, that the officer, director, employee or agent acted in good faith and in a manner that he or she reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the corporation, except that no indemnification is made where such person is adjudged liable, unless a court of competent jurisdiction determines that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which such court shall deem proper.

To the extent that a director, officer, employee, or agent has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any proceeding, he shall be indemnified against expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection therewith.

The term “proceeding” includes any threatened, pending, or completed action, suit, or other type of proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative and whether formal or informal.

Any indemnification in connection with the foregoing, unless pursuant to a determination by a court, shall be made by the corporation upon a determination that indemnification is proper in the circumstances because the individual has met the applicable standard of conduct. The determination shall be made (i) by the board of directors by a majority vote of a quorum consisting of directors who are not parties to such proceeding; (ii) if the quorum is not obtainable, by majority vote of a committee duly designated by the board of directors consisting solely of two or more directors not at the time parties to the proceeding; (iii) by independent legal counsel selected by the board of directors (excluding the directors who are parties to the proceeding) or such committee, and if a

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quorum cannot be obtained and a committee cannot be designated, by majority vote of the full board of directors (including the directors who are parties to the proceeding); or (iv) by the shareholders by a majority vote of a quorum consisting of shareholders who are not parties to such proceeding or, if no such quorum is obtainable, by a majority vote of shareholders who were not parties to such proceeding.

Evaluation of the reasonableness of expenses and authorization of indemnification shall be made in the same manner as the determination that indemnification is permissible. However, if the determination of permissibility is made by independent legal counsel, then the directors or the committee shall evaluate the reasonableness of expenses and may authorize indemnification. Expenses incurred by an officer or director in defending a civil or criminal proceeding may be paid by the corporation in advance of the final disposition of the proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the director or officer to repay such amount if he is ultimately found not to be entitled to indemnification by the corporation. Expenses incurred by other employees and agents may be paid in advance upon such terms or conditions that the board of directors deems appropriate.

Section 607.0850 of the Florida Act and our bylaws, as amended (the “Bylaws”), also provide that the indemnification and advancement of expenses provided pursuant to that Section are not exclusive, and a corporation may make any other or further indemnification or advancement of expenses of any of its directors, officers, employees, or agents, under any bylaw, agreement, vote of shareholders or disinterested directors, or otherwise, both as to action in his official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office. However, indemnification or advancement of expenses may not be made if a judgment or other final adjudication established that the individual’s actions, or omissions to act, were material to the cause of action so adjudicated and constitute (i) a violation of the criminal law (unless the individual had reasonable cause to believe his conduct was lawful or had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful); (ii) a transaction from which the individual derived an improper personal benefit; (iii) in the case of a director, a circumstance under which the liability provisions of Section 607.0834 of the Florida Act are applicable; or (iv) willful misconduct or a conscious disregard for the best interests of the corporation in a proceeding by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor in a proceeding by or in the right of a shareholder. Indemnification and advancement of expenses shall continue as, unless otherwise provided when authorized or ratified, to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee, or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors, and administrators of such person, unless otherwise provided when authorized or ratified.

Section 607.0850 of the Florida Act and our Bylaws further provide that notwithstanding the failure of a corporation to provide indemnification, and despite any contrary determination of the board or of the shareholders in the specific case, a director, officer, employee, or agent of the corporation who is or was a party to a proceeding may apply for indemnification or advancement of expenses, or both, to the court conducting the proceeding, to the circuit court, or to another court of competent jurisdiction. On receipt of an application, the court, after giving any notice that it considers necessary, may order indemnification and advancement of expenses, including expenses incurred in seeking court-ordered indemnification or advancement of expenses, if it determines that (i) the individual is entitled to mandatory indemnification (in which case the court shall also order the corporation to pay the director reasonable expenses incurred in obtaining court-ordered indemnification or advancement of expenses); (ii) the individual is entitled to indemnification or advancement of expenses, or both, by virtue of the exercise by the corporation of its power; or (iii) the individual is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification or advancement of expenses, or both, in view of all the relevant circumstances, regardless of whether the person met the standard of conduct set forth in Section 607.0850 of the Florida Act or the Bylaws.

Article VI of our Bylaws provides for indemnification of our officers and directors and advancement of expenses similar to the provisions in the Florida Act. In general, indemnification is granted to each person who is or was a director, officer or employee of the Company and each person who is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer or employee of another corporation to the full extent authorized by law as summarized above. Article VI of the Company’s Bylaws also sets forth certain conditions in connection with any advancement of expenses and provision by the Company of any other indemnification rights and remedies.

The Florida Act authorizes corporations to purchase insurance on behalf of any person against liability asserted whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify such person under the Bylaws. Pursuant to such authority, the Company has purchased directors and officers liability insurance although there is no assurance that the Company will maintain such insurance or, if so, the amount of insurance that it will so maintain.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Company has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.

In addition to the authority granted to us by the Florida Act to indemnify our directors, certain other provisions of the Florida Act have the effect of further limiting the personal liability of our directors. Pursuant to the Florida Act, a director of a Florida corporation cannot be held personally liable for monetary damages to the corporation or any other person for any act or failure to act regarding corporate management or policy except in the case of certain qualifying breaches of the director’s duties.

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Item 16.

Exhibits


Exhibit No.		Exhibit

1.1		Form of Underwriting Agreement for Securities.*

3.1		Articles of Incorporation (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-4, File No. 333-95087, dated January 20, 2000 (the “Initial Registration Statement”).

3.2		Articles of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K dated April 25, 2006).

3.3		Articles of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K dated December 16, 2009).

3.4		Articles of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.6 to the Company’s Form 10-K dated March 4, 2010).

3.5		Bylaws (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Initial Registration Statement).

3.6		Amendment to Bylaws (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.4 to the Company’s Form 10-K dated March 7, 2008).

3.7		Articles of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation authorizing the Preferred Shares (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K dated November 24, 2008).

3.8		Articles of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation increasing the number of authorized common shares from 40,000,000 to 100,000,000 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K dated December 16, 2105.)

3.9		Specimen Stock Certificate of CenterState Banks, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Registration Statement.)

4.1		Form of Articles of Amendment Establishing a Series of Preferred Stock.*

4.2		Form of Collateral Agreement.*

4.3		Form of Warrant.*

4.4		Form of Rights Agreement.*

4.5		Form of Depositary Agreement for Depositary Preferred Stock. *

4.6		Form of Depositary Receipt. *

5.1		Opinion of Smith Mackinnon, PA.**

12.1		Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges and Preference Dividends for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012 and 2011 and the nine month period ended September 30, 2016.**

23.1		Consent of Crowe Horwath LLP.**

23.2		Consent of Smith Mackinnon, PA (included in Exhibit 5.1).**

23.3		Consent of Hacker, Johnson & Smith, P.A.**

24.1		Powers of Attorney (included on the signature page of this registration statement).**

*	To be filed by amendment or pursuant to a Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference.

**	Filed herewith.

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Item 17.

Undertakings

The undersigned Registrants hereby undertake:

(1)	To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

(i)

to include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended;

(ii)

to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; and

(iii)

to include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;

Provided, however, that the undertakings set forth in paragraphs (i), (ii) and (iii) do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the SEC by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in this registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.

(2)

That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(3)	To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

(4)	That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, to any purchaser:

(i)

Each prospectus filed by a Registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and

(ii)

Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which the prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date.

Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date.

(5)

That, for the purpose of determining liability of a Registrant under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned Registrants undertake that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned Registrants pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities

II-4

to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned Registrants will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:

(i)

Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of an undersigned Registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;

(ii)

Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of an undersigned Registrant or used or referred to by an undersigned Registrant;

(iii)

The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about an undersigned Registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of an undersigned Registrant; and

(iv)

Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by an undersigned Registrant to the purchaser.

(6)

That, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, each filing of the Registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(7)	To file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection (a) of Section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the Commission under Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of each Registrant pursuant to the provisions described in Item 15 above, or otherwise, each Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by a Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of a Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, that Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, CenterState Banks, Inc. certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized in Winter Haven, State of Florida, on January 9, 2017.


CENTERSTATE BANKS, INC.

By:		/s/ John C. Corbett


Name:		John C. Corbett
Title:		President and Chief Executive Officer

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints John C. Corbett and Jennifer Idell his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including pre-effective and post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement and to sign any registration statement (and any post-effective amendments thereto) effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming that said attorney-in-fact, agent or his substitutes may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on January 9, 2017.


Signature		Capacity

/s/ John C. Corbett John C. Corbett		Director, President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)

/s/ Jennifer Idell Jennifer Idell		Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)

/s/ Ernest S. Pinner Ernest S. Pinner		Executive Chairman of the Board

/s/ James H. Bingham James H. Bingham		Director

/s/ G. Robert Blanchard, Jr. G. Robert Blanchard, Jr.		Director

/s/ Michael F. CiFerri Michael F. CiFerri		Director

/s/ C. Dennis Carlton C. Dennis Carlton		Director

/s/ John C. Corbett John C. Corbett		Director

/s/ Griffin A. Greene Griffin A. Greene		Director


Signature		Capacity

/s/ Charles W. McPherson Charles W. McPherson		Director

/s/ G. Tierso Nunez II G. Tierso Nunez II		Director

/s/ Thomas E. Oakley Thomas E. Oakley		Director

/s/ William Knox Pou, Jr. William Knox Pou, Jr.		Director

/s/ Daniel R. Richey Daniel R. Richey		Director

/s/ Joshua A. Snively Joshua A. Snively		Director

INDEX TO EXHIBITS



5.1		Opinion of Smith Mackinnon, PA.

12.1		Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges and Preference Dividends for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012 and 2011 and the nine month period ended September 30, 2016.

23.1		Consent of Crowe Horwath LLP.

23.3		Consent of Hacker, Johnson & Smith, P.A.

Large accelerated filer

Accelerated filer

Non-accelerated filer

☐ (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

Smaller reporting company