GUARANTEE AGREEMENT

Exhibit 4.17

GUARANTEE AGREEMENT

Between

SEACOAST BANKING CORPORATION OF FLORIDA
as Guarantor,

and

WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
as Guarantee Trustee,

Dated as of _______________

     Certain Sections of this Guarantee Agreement relating to Sections 310 through 318 of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939:

Trust Indenture		Guarantee Agreement
Act Section		Section
310 (a)(1)			4.1	(a)
(a)(2)			4.1	(a)
(a)(3)		Not Applicable
(a)(4)		Not Applicable
(b)			2.8, 4.1	(c)
311(a)		Not Applicable
(b)		Not Applicable
312(a)			2.2	(a)
(b)			2.2	(b)
(c)		Not Applicable
313(a)			2.3
(a)(4)			2.3
(b)			2.3
(c)			2.3
(d)			2.3
314(a)			2.4
(b)			2.4
(c)(1)			2.5
(c)(2)			2.5
(c)(3)			2.5
(e)			1.1, 2.5, 3.2
315(a)			3.1	(d)
(b)			2.7
(c)			3.1	(c)
(d)			3.1	(d)
(e)		Not Applicable
316(a)			1.1, 2.6, 5.4
(a)(1)(A)			5.4
(a)(1)(B)			5.4
(a)(2)		Not Applicable
(b)			5.3
(c)		Not Applicable
317(a)(1)		Not Applicable
(a)(2)		Not Applicable
(b)		Not Applicable
318(a)			2.1

Note: This reconciliation and tie shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a part of the Guarantee Agreement.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

		Page
ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS			1
Section 1.1. Definitions			1
ARTICLE II TRUST INDENTURE ACT			3
Section 2.1. Trust Indenture Act; Application			3
Section 2.2. List of Holders			4
Section 2.3. Reports by the Guarantee Trustee			4
Section 2.4. Periodic Reports to the Guarantee Trustee			4
Section 2.5. Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent			4
Section 2.6. Events of Default; Waiver			4
Section 2.7. Event of Default; Notice			4
Section 2.8. Conflicting Interests			5
ARTICLE III POWERS, DUTIES AND RIGHTS OF THE GUARANTEE TRUSTEE			5
Section 3.1. Powers and Duties of the Guarantee Trustee			5
Section 3.2. Certain Rights of Guarantee Trustee			6
Section 3.3. Indemnity			7
Section 3.4. Expenses			7
ARTICLE IV GUARANTEE TRUSTEE			7
Section 4.1. Guarantee Trustee; Eligibility			7
Section 4.2. Appointment, Removal and Resignation of the Guarantee Trustee			8
ARTICLE V GUARANTEE			8
Section 5.1. Guarantee			8
Section 5.2. Waiver of Notice and Demand			9
Section 5.3. Obligations Not Affected			9
Section 5.4. Rights of Holders			9
Section 5.5. Guarantee of Payment			10
Section 5.6. Subrogation			10
Section 5.7. Independent Obligations			10
ARTICLE VI COVENANTS AND SUBORDINATION			10
Section 6.1. Subordination			10
Section 6.2. Pari Passu Guarantees			10
ARTICLE VII TERMINATION			11
Section 7.1. Termination			11
ARTICLE VIII MISCELLANEOUS			11
Section 8.1. Successors and Assigns			11
Section 8.2. Amendments			11

TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)

		Page
Section 8.3. Notices			11
Section 8.4. Benefit			12
Section 8.5. Interpretation			12
Section 8.6. Governing Law			13
Section 8.7. Counterparts			13
Section 8.8. Force Majeure			13

GUARANTEE AGREEMENT

     THIS GUARANTEE AGREEMENT, dated as of ___, 2008, is executed and delivered by SEACOAST BANKING CORPORATION OF FLORIDA, a Florida corporation (the “ Guarantor ”), having its principal office at 815 Colorado Avenue, Stuart, Florida 34994, and WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY, a Delaware banking corporation, as trustee (the “ Guarantee Trustee ”), for the benefit of the Holders (as defined herein) from time to time of the Preferred Capital Securities (as defined herein) of SBCF Capital Trust [ ], a Delaware statutory trust (the “ Issuer Trust ”).

     Pursuant to an Amended and Restated Trust Agreement (the “ Trust Agreement ”), dated of even date herewith, among the Guarantor, as Depositor, Wilmington Trust Company, as Property Trustee (the “ Property Trustee ”), Wilmington Trust Company, as Delaware Trustee (the “ Delaware Trustee ,” and together with the Property Trustee, collectively, the “ Issuer Trustees ”), the Administrators named therein and the Holders from time to time of undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Issuer Trust, the Issuer Trust is issuing up to $[Amount] aggregate Liquidation Amount (as defined herein) of its Preferred Capital Securities (the “ Preferred Capital Securities ”), representing preferred undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Issuer Trust and having the terms set forth in the Trust Agreement;

     The Preferred Capital Securities will be issued by the Issuer Trust and the proceeds thereof, together with the proceeds from the issuance of the Issuer Trust’s Common Securities (the “ Common Securities ”), representing common undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Issuer Trust, to the Guarantor, will be used to purchase the Junior Subordinated Debentures due [Maturity Date] (the “ Junior Subordinated Debentures ”) of the Guarantor, which will be deposited with Wilmington Trust Company, as Property Trustee under the Trust Agreement, as trust assets; and

     As an inducement to the Holders to purchase the Preferred Capital Securities, the Guarantor is willing to irrevocably and unconditionally agree, to the extent set forth herein, to pay to the Holders of the Preferred Capital Securities the Guarantee Payments (as defined herein) and to make certain other payments on the terms and conditions set forth herein.

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the purchase of the Preferred Capital Securities by each Holder, which purchase the Guarantor hereby acknowledges shall benefit the Guarantor, the Guarantor, intending to be legally bound hereby, executes and delivers this Guarantee Agreement for the benefit of the Holders from time to time of the Preferred Capital Securities.

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

      Section 1.1. Definitions .

     As used in this Guarantee Agreement, the terms set forth below shall have the following meanings. Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Trust Agreement.

     “ Affiliate ” of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition, “control” when used with respect to any specified Person means the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have meanings correlative to the foregoing.

     “ Event of Default ” means (i) a default by the Guarantor in any of its payment obligations under this Guarantee Agreement, or (ii) a default by the Guarantor in any other obligation hereunder that remains unremedied for 60 days.

     “ Guarantee Agreement ” means this Guarantee Agreement, as modified, amended or supplemented from time to time.

     “ Guarantee Payments ” means the following payments or distributions, without duplication, with respect to the Preferred Capital Securities, to the extent not paid or made by or on behalf of the Issuer Trust: (i) any accumulated and unpaid Distributions (as defined in the Trust Agreement) required to be paid on the Preferred Capital Securities, to the extent the Issuer Trust shall have funds on hand available therefor at such time, (ii) the Redemption Price, with respect to the Preferred Capital Securities called for redemption by the Issuer Trust to the extent that the Issuer Trust shall have funds on hand available therefor at such time, and (iii) upon a voluntary or involuntary dissolution, termination, winding-up or liquidation of the Issuer Trust, unless the Junior Subordinated Debentures are distributed to the Holders, the lesser of (a) the aggregate of the Liquidation Amount of all outstanding Trust Securities and all accumulated and unpaid Distributions to the date of payment to the extent the Issuer Trust shall have funds on hand available to make such payment at such time and (b) the amount of assets of the Issuer Trust remaining available for distribution to Holders on liquidation of the Issuer Trust (in either case, the “ Liquidation Distribution ”).

     “ Guarantee Trustee ” means Wilmington Trust Company, until a Successor Guarantee Trustee has been appointed and has accepted such appointment pursuant to the terms of this Guarantee Agreement and thereafter means each such Successor Guarantee Trustee.

     “ Guarantor ” shall have the meaning specified in the first paragraph of this Guarantee Agreement.

     “ Holder ” means any holder, as registered on the books and records of the Issuer Trust, of any Preferred Capital Securities; provided, however, that, in determining whether the holders of the requisite percentage of Preferred Capital Securities have given any request, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, “Holder” shall not include the Guarantor, the Guarantee Trustee, or any Affiliate of the Guarantor or the Guarantee Trustee.

     “ Indenture ” means the Junior Subordinated Indenture, dated as of ___, 20___, between the Guarantor and Wilmington Trust Company, as trustee, as it may be modified, amended or supplemented from time to time to provide for the Junior Subordinated Debentures.

     “ Issuer Trust ” shall have the meaning specified in the first paragraph of this Guarantee Agreement.

     “ Like Amount ” means (a) with respect to a redemption of Trust Securities, Trust Securities having a Liquidation Amount equal to that portion of the principal amount of Junior Subordinated Debentures to be contemporaneously redeemed in accordance with the Indenture, allocated to the Common Securities and to the Preferred Capital Securities based upon the relative Liquidation Amounts of such classes and (b) with respect to a distribution of Junior Subordinated Debentures to Holders of Trust Securities in connection with a dissolution or liquidation of the Issuer Trust, Junior Subordinated Debentures having a principal amount equal to the Liquidation Amount of the Trust Securities of the Holder to whom such Junior Subordinated Debentures are distributed.

     “ Liquidation Amount ” means the stated amount of $[___] per Preferred Capital Security and $[___] per Common Security.

     “ Majority in Liquidation Amount of the Preferred Capital Securities ” means, except as provided by the Trust Indenture Act, Preferred Capital Securities representing more than 50% of the aggregate Liquidation Amount of all then outstanding Preferred Capital Securities issued by the Issuer Trust.

     “ Officers’ Certificate ” means a certificate signed by the Chairman of the Board, Vice Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, President, Executive Vice President or a Senior Vice President or Vice President, and by the Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, the Chief Financial Officer, the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Guarantor, and delivered to the Guarantee Trustee. Any Officers’ Certificate delivered with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Guarantee Agreement shall include:

     (a) a statement by each officer signing the Officers’ Certificate that such officer has read the covenant or condition and the definitions relating thereto;

     (b) a brief statement of the nature and scope of the examination or investigation undertaken by such officer in rendering the Officers’ Certificate;

     (c) a statement that such officer has made such examination or investigation as, in such officer’s opinion, is necessary to enable such officer to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and

     (d) a statement as to whether, in the opinion of such officer, such condition or covenant has been complied with.

     “ Person ” means a legal person, including any individual, corporation, estate, partnership, joint venture, association, joint stock company, limited liability company, trust, unincorporated association, or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof, or any other entity of whatever nature.

     “ Redemption Date ” means, with respect to any Preferred Capital Security to be redeemed, the date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant to the Trust Agreement; provided that each Debenture Redemption Date and the stated maturity of the Junior Subordinated Debentures shall be a Redemption Date for a Like Amount of Preferred Capital Securities, including, but not limited to any date of redemption pursuant to the occurrence of any Special Event.

     “ Redemption Price ” shall have the meaning specified in the Trust Agreement.

     “ Responsible Officer ” means, when used with respect to the Guarantee Trustee, any officer assigned to the Corporate Trust Office, including any managing director, vice president, principal, assistant vice president, assistant treasurer, assistant secretary or any other officer of the Guarantee Trustee customarily performing functions similar to those performed by any of the above designated officers and having direct responsibility for the administration of this Guarantee Agreement, and also, with respect to a particular matter, any other officer of the Guarantee Trustee to whom such matter is referred because of such officer’s knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.

     “ Senior Indebtedness ” shall have the meaning specified in the Indenture.

     “ Successor Guarantee Trustee ” means a successor Guarantee Trustee possessing the qualifications to act as Guarantee Trustee under Article IV hereof.

     “ Trust Agreement ” has the meaning specified in the recitals hereto.

     “ Trust Indenture Act ” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S.C. §§ 77aaa-77bbbb), as amended.

     “ Trust Securities ” means the Common Securities and the Preferred Capital Securities.

ARTICLE II

TRUST INDENTURE ACT

      Section 2.1. Trust Indenture Act; Application .

     If any provision hereof limits, qualifies or conflicts with a provision of the Trust Indenture Act that is required under such Act to be a part of and govern this Guarantee Agreement, the provision of the Trust Indenture Act shall control. If any provision of this Guarantee Agreement modifies or excludes any provision of the Trust Indenture Act that may be so modified or excluded, the latter provision shall be deemed to apply to this Guarantee Agreement as so modified or excluded, as the case may be.

      Section 2.2. List of Holders .

     (a) The Guarantor will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Guarantee Trustee a list of Holders at the following times:

     (i) [quarterly], not more than 15 days after the last day of [February, May, August and November], in each year, a list, in such form as the Guarantee Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of the Holders as of the last day of [February, May, August and November], as applicable; and

     (ii) at such other times as the Guarantee Trustee may request in writing, within 30 days after the receipt by the Guarantor of any such request, a list of similar form and content as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such list is furnished.

     (b) The Guarantee Trustee shall comply with the requirements of Sections 311(a), 311(b) and 312(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.

      Section 2.3. Reports by the Guarantee Trustee .

     Not later than [January 31] of each year, commencing [January 31, ___], the Guarantee Trustee shall provide to the Holders such reports, if any, as are required by Section 313 of the Trust Indenture Act in the form and in the manner provided by Section 313 of the Trust Indenture Act. If this Guarantee Agreement shall have been qualified under the Trust Indenture Act, the Guarantee Trustee shall also comply with the requirements of Section 313(d) of the Trust Indenture Act.

      Section 2.4. Periodic Reports to the Guarantee Trustee .

     The Guarantor shall provide to the Guarantee Trustee and the Holders such documents, reports and information, if any, as required by Section 314 of the Trust Indenture Act and the compliance certificate required by Section 314 of the Trust Indenture Act, in the form, in the manner and at the times required by Section 314 of the Trust Indenture Act, provided that such documents, reports and information shall be required to be provided to the Securities and Exchange Commission only if this Guarantee Agreement shall have been qualified under the Trust Indenture Act.

      Section 2.5. Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent .

     The Guarantor shall provide to the Guarantee Trustee such evidence of compliance with such conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Guarantee Agreement that relate to any of the matters set forth in Section 314(c) of the Trust Indenture Act. Any certificate or opinion required to be given by an officer pursuant to Section 314(c)(1) may be given in the form of an Officers’ Certificate.

      Section 2.6. Events of Default; Waiver .

     The Holders of a Majority in Liquidation Amount of the Preferred Capital Securities may, by vote, on behalf of the Holders, waive any past Event of Default and its consequences. Upon such waiver, any such Event of Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this Guarantee Agreement, but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent therefrom.

      Section 2.7. Event of Default; Notice .

     (a) The Guarantee Trustee shall, within 90 days after the occurrence of an Event of Default, transmit by mail, first class postage prepaid, to the Holders, notice of all Events of Default known to the Guarantee Trustee, unless such Events of Default have been cured or waived before the giving of such notice; provided that , except in the case of a default in the payment of a Guarantee Payment, the Guarantee Trustee shall be protected in

withholding such notice if and so long as the Board of Directors, the executive committee or a trust committee of directors and/or Responsible Officers of the Guarantee Trustee in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the Holders.

     (b) The Guarantee Trustee shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any Event of Default unless a Responsible Officer charged with the administration of this Guarantee Agreement shall have received written notice of such Event of Default.

      Section 2.8. Conflicting Interests .

     The Trust Agreement shall be deemed to be specifically described in this Guarantee Agreement for the purposes of clause (i) of the first proviso contained in Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.

ARTICLE III

POWERS, DUTIES AND RIGHTS OF THE GUARANTEE TRUSTEE

      Section 3.1. Powers and Duties of the Guarantee Trustee .

     (a) This Guarantee Agreement shall be held by the Guarantee Trustee for the benefit of the Holders, and the Guarantee Trustee shall not transfer this Guarantee Agreement to any Person except a Holder exercising