About South Florida Banking Institute

The South Florida Banking Institute is a non-profit professional organization that serves as a resource for bankers seeking to expand their knowledge and capabilities by providing high-quality research, products, and services. Since 1950, the South Florida Banking Institute has provided education, research and networking opportunities for bankers in South Florida. Program are designed to keep members informed of regulatory issues and trends in the financial industry. Monthly networking events allows members to participate and interact with private industries serving financial institutions and peers. In keeping with its core , South Florida Banking Institute provides a forum for regulatory outreach events. Membership includes banks, attorneys, accountants, financial services providers, brokers, and industry experts.

South Florida Banking Institute (SFBI) – A Walk Through Time

SFBI began its’ history as the South Florida Chapter of the Bank Administration Institution (BAI) in 1950. Through the years many have had the privilege of being this organization’s President – beginning with Ray F. Basten in 1950, to our first President as the newly renamed South Florida Banking Institute (SFBI) – Phillips G. Gay, Jr. in 1999, to our 50th Anniversary President – Pamela L. Wendel in 2000, to our current President – Alex Rodriguez.

The organization’s primary mission was and continues to be… “to serve the banking community by providing educational opportunities and creating an environment which allows the building of relationships. SFBI provides a forum for addressing topics relevant to the banking industry. Through these efforts, we create value by providing resources to our member organizations in the ever changing banking environment.”

The 1st Annual Operations Conference was held in 1989 led by then President, Ramiro Ortiz, and continued for 14 years. This venue successfully hosted nationwide vendors, mini-seminars, a renown keynote speaker and to close the evening, a gala reception. Attendance at the conferences ranged from 300 to 800 persons, with financial institution representation from Key West to Jacksonville.

Times change and BAI National disbanded the local chapters; however, our organization was so successful, the South Florida Banking Institute was formed with the blessing of BAI; and so the saga continues…

We would like to thank all of you who continue to support our organization through membership, meeting and seminar attendance, and especially to those organizations who allow their team members to participate and give of their time and talent as Officers and Directors.

Letter from SFBI’s President

I would like to thank you for electing me to serve as your president for the 2023-2024 fiscal year. I am deeply humbled by your support and want you to know that I am committed to making sure we have another successful year. I would also like to recognize and welcome our new members.

Our South Florida community is unlike any other.  The essence of South Florida lies in the integration of cultures from Latin America and the Caribbean, which gives us a profound advantage in understanding and connecting with the needs and aspirations of our community. We are part of this community and together we experience the challenges and have the perspective to understand its needs.  In consolidating our vast backgrounds, we will be able to deal with current consumer demands and regulatory changes. The challenges will be opportunities to implement the resources necessary in developing and fostering business growth.

As we begin our journey, I am counting on your partnership to make this an exciting and fruitful year for all.

Officers

PRESIDENT

Jose M. Lacasa
Executive Vice President and Florida Business Director
FirstBank
800 Waterford Way
Miami, FL 33126
T: 305-280-0065
C: 305-810-9080
Email: [email protected]

PRESIDENT ELECT AND SECRETARY

Claudia A. Cancio
SVP | Director of Administration
First National Bank of South Miami
5750 Sunset Drive
South Miami, FL 33143
T: 305-662-5427
C: 786-514-0674
Email: [email protected]

VICE PRESIDENT TREASURER

Alexander Sueiro
Partner
PAAST, P.L.
255 Alhambra Circle, Suite 1100
Coral Gables, FL 33134
T: 305-567-0150
C: 786-423-9700
Email: [email protected]

VICE PRESIDENT MARKETING

Jessica Goldberg
SVP | Human Resources Director
U.S. Century Bank
2301 N.W. 87th Avenue
Miami, FL 33172
T: 305-715-5227
C: 786-229-8934
Email: [email protected]

VICE PRESIDENT INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Guillermo A. Benites
Vice President of Financial Services
UDT
2900 Monarch Lakes Blvd. Suite 300
Miramar, FL 33027
T: 954-308-5166
C: 786-286-6630
Email: [email protected]

VICE PRESIDENT EDUCATION

Yesenia Moreno
Executive Vice President
New Edge Associates
6303 Blue Lagoon Drive, Suite 400
Miami, FL 33126
C: 786-447-9323
Email: [email protected]

Directors

Juan R. Avila
EVP, Chief Financial Officer
Intercredit Bank N.A.
396 Alhambra Circle, Suite 250
Coral Gables, FL 33134
T:
C: 305-962-1467
Email: [email protected]

Domingo R. Callejas
SVP & Controller
Grove Bank & Trust
2701 South Bayshore Drive
Miami, FL 33133
T: 305-808-4000
C: 305-297-5647
Email: [email protected]

Guillermo Chiang
SVP, Sr. Correspondent Banking Officer
ServisFirst Bank
2500 Woodcrest Place
Birmingham, AL 35209
C: 305-582-4909
Email: [email protected]

Blas I. Cueto
SVP, Senior Wealth Advisor
Northern Trust
600 Brickell Avenue, Suite 2400
Miami, FL 33131
T: 305-789-1342
C: 305-785-5400
Email: [email protected]

Yvonne Debesa
Executive Vice President
Chief Operating Officer
Sunstate Bank
14095 S. Dixie Highway
Miami, FL 33176
T: 305-256-0900
C: 305-785-0033
Email: [email protected]

Didier Fabelo
1st Vice President | Head of Domestic Preferred Banking
International Finance Bank
777 SW 37th Avenue, Suite 700
Miami, FL 33135
T: 305-648-8826
C: 786-208-4809
Email: [email protected]

Andres (“Andy”) A. Fernandez
Partner
Holland & Knight LLP
701 Brickell Avenue, Suite 3000
Miami, FL 33131
T: 305-789-7433
C: 305-335-9503
Email: [email protected]

Carl Fornaris
Partner
Co-Chair Financial Services Practice
Winston & Strawn LLP
200 S. Biscayne Blvd. Suite 200
Miami, FL 33131
T: 305-910-0626
C: 305-215-3715
Email: [email protected]

Ivan A. Garces
Principal
Risk Advisory Services
Kaufman Rossin
3310 Mary Street
Miami, FL 33133
T: 305-646-6054
C: 305-338-2897
Email: [email protected]

Asnardo Garro
Partner
Avila Law
2525 Ponce de Leon Blvd., Suite 1225
Coral Gables, FL 33134
T: 305-779-3560
C: 786-229-1401
Email: [email protected]

Patricia M. Hernandez
Managing Partner
Avila Law
2525 Ponce de Leon Blvd.,
Suite 1225
Coral Gables, FL 33134
T: 305-779-3566
C: 305-903-5598
Email: [email protected]

Rodolfo “Rudy” Lleonart
Executive Vice President,
Chief Operating Officer
First American Bank
1801 Southwest 1st Street
Miami, FL 33135
T: 305-643-8212
C: 305-781-0004
Email: [email protected]

Vanessa Lugo
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Ocean Bank
780 NW 42 Ave.
Miami, FL 33126
T: 305-569-8036
C: 305-753-7541
Email: [email protected]

S. Marshall Martin
EVP, Chief Administrative & Legal Officer
Amerant
220 Alhambra Circle
Coral Gables, FL 33134
T: 305-717-1972
C: 305-878-0548
Email: [email protected]

Daniel R. Martinez
Executive Vice President | Commercial Banking Director
Seacoast Bank
1567 San Remo Ave.
Coral Gables, FL 33146
T: 786-406-7643
C: 305-606-6455
Email: [email protected]

Lourdes Mendes
SVP | Relationship Manager
Cadence Bank
8500 SW 78th Street
Miami, FL 33143
T:
C: 305-322-1163
Email: [email protected]

Shaun Zak Moraga
VP, Risk and Information Security
UDT
2900 Monarch Lakes Blvd. Suite 300
Miramar, FL 33027
T: 305-302-7667
Email: [email protected]

David Pruna
Regional President
SouthState Bank
2 Alhambra Plaza
Suite 100
Coral Gables, FL 33134
T: 305-989-4913
Email: [email protected]

Maria Elena Riera
Executive Vice President
Chief Financial Officer
TerraBank N.A.
3191 Coral Way, Suite 900
Miami, FL 33145
T: 305-448-4898
C: 305-799-0942
Email: [email protected]

Alex Rodriguez
Director
PAAST, P.L.
255 Alhambra Circle, Suite 1100
Coral Gables, FL 33134
T: 305-567-0150
C: 305-301-3676
Email: [email protected]

Douglas Sawyer
Commercial & Private Client Advisor
Century Risk Advisors
1900 NW Corporate Blvd. Suite 400E
Boca Raton, FL 33431
T:
C:
Email: [email protected]

Pamela L. Wendel
Executive Vice President
Chief Operations Officer
Pacific National Bank
1390 Brickell Avenue
Miami, FL 33131
T: 305-539-7695
Email: [email protected]

Exclusive Invitation to our Networking Events

Opportunity to participate in leadership roles through board and committee membership.
To being part of a valuable peer network in your local community.

Current Members