Wednesday, January 15, 2020 | Time: 5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Location: Miami Airport Hilton, 5101 Blue Lagoon Drive, Miami, FL 33126
Moderator: S. Marshall Martin, Esq. Enterprise Risk Executive & General Counsel, City National Bank
Panelists: Jose Cueto, President, International Finance Bank
Calixto Garcia-Velez, EVP Regional Executive, FirstBank Florida
Simon Cruz, President & CEO – Intercredit Bank, N.A.
(Miami, FL) – On Wednesday, January 15, 2020, South Florida Banking Institute (SFBI) held its first event of the new year, aiming its focus on leadership with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) panel. SFBI President, Guillermo Benites, opened up the night with welcoming remarks to the 140 attendees, followed by the introduction of the Moderator, S. Marshall, Esq., Enterprise Risk Executive and General Counsel of City National Bank. Panelists included Jose Cueto, President of International Finance Bank, Calixto Garcia-Velez, Executive Regional Vice President of FirstBank Florida, and Simon Cruz, President and CEO of Intercredit Bank, N.A.
The CEO panel focused on leadership challenges, the current workforce environment, technology, economic environment, and the ever evolving state of banking. The panelists shared their insight on the impacts leadership decisions make both internally throughout the workforce and externally with customers. One of the highlights involved Jose Cueto’s insight on of the programs integrated at International Finance Bank focused on the Millennial and Gen X workforce, the development of marketing and ideas that comes with it, and most importantly, the positive impact made on talent retainment. The takeaway encompassed the importance of embodying a culture that is positive and encourages ideas that give purpose and meaning to the organization.
Technology plays a big part in how bank leaders are moving forward with decisions. The panelists spoke on how financial institutions need to stay alert of technology trends and how to position yourself to adapt along with them as key to survival. Interactions with clients are changing and branches are quickly becoming a thing of the past.
In addition, the panelists briefed on several strategic issues affecting CEOs. These issues involve the long-term challenge of managing deposits, leveraging lending, the political state of the United States and its unpredictable ties with managing risk. In conclusion, looking at where opportunities may exist in different marketplaces and geographies, adapting to technology trends, and maintaining your vision as a leader to see all the dynamics every choice makes are imperative to staying ahead of the game.
