About Us

Banesco USA was founded January 10th, 2006 to offer banking services and solutions to business owners, their families, and consumers within the communities we serve. Our mission is to provide the best and safest banking experience protected by the latest technology to make banking more convenient to our customers. Our team of dedicated and experienced relationship bankers are committed to offering our customers the personalized service they deserve.

With four business centers in South Florida - Aventura, Brickell, Coral Gables, and Hialeah - and one in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Banesco USA is insured by the FDIC and holds a 5-star rating from the Bauer Financial rating service as well as a rating affirmation from the Kroll Bond Rating Agency.

Banesco USA is a Florida state-chartered bank regulated by the Office of Financial Regulation (OFR) and completely independent of Banesco in other countries.

Values

Everything we do is rooted in the following values:

We fulfill our commitments to our customers, teams and society.
We behave according to what we declare.
We stay focused until we know that we have exceeded our customer’s expectations.
We respect valuable ideas, even if they are different from ours.

We defend the interests of the clients and the organization above our own.
We act with generosity and consider the impact of our actions, prioritizing collaborative work.
We speak openly about risks and limitations, we recognize when we fail, and when we make mistakes.

We work with passion to give the best solution to the client, optimally using time and resources.
We equip ourselves with agile, simple and scalable processes that allow us to do things right from the beginning.

We encourage entrepreneurship and experimentation, we are tolerant of failures, and learn from them.
We build a vision of the future and transversality  for our organization.
We know the best technological and non-technological solutions and incorporate them in a timely and efficient manner.

Our Team

Our team is our biggest asset. They know our customers and are able to provide the service that best meets their needs. Get to know us, too!

Board of Directors

Carlos Palomares

Chairman of the Board

Banking executive with more than 40 years of experience in the USA and international financial markets. He was Chairman of the Miami-Dade County Board of Directors at the Beacon Council. Member of the Executive Committee of the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce. Graduated from New York University.

Juan Carlos Escotet Rodriguez

Vice-Chairman of the Board

Banking executive with extensive experience in the financial sector. He currently is the President of Banesco Grupo Financiero Internacional, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Banesco Banco Universal and Banesco Holding, as well as a director at Banesco Holding Latinoamérica, S.A. He also serves as an adviser to the VISA International Advisory Council for Latin America and the Caribbean and was a director of Banco Etcheverría (Spain) from December 2012 until its absorption by NCG Banco, S.A. In June 2014, he was appointed vice president of the Board of Directors of NCG Banco, S.A. (currently ABANCA Corporación Bancaria, S.A). In June 2017, he was appointed Chairman of the Board of Directors of ABANCA Corporación Bancaria, S.A. Other relevant positions: he is a member of the board of directors of the Spanish Confederation of Savings Banks (CECA).

CALIXTO (CALI) GARCÍA-VÉLEZ

President & CEO

Banking executive with extensive experience in the South Florida and Puerto Rico Markets. Mr. Garcia-Velez has been involved in the financial sector since 1993. He began his banking career at the former First Union National Bank followed by a very successful career in Citibank, Doral Bank and in his most recent position as Executive Vice President of First BanCorp (NYSE:FBP) as a Regional Executive of FirstBank Florida. He has been involved in his community for many years, currently serves on the Board of Directors of the United Way of Miami, The Beacon Council, the Alliance for South Florida National Parks Trust, and was recently named to the Florida Bankers Association Board of Directors. He also serves as a Guardian ad Litem volunteer. He is a graduate of the University of Miami, where he received both his bachelor's and MBA.

Seno Bril

Director

Has more than 40 years of experience in senior management roles in investment banking, wealth management and in the consumer financial services industry in the U.S. and international markets. Graduate of the Institute of International Studies in Geneva and Past Chairman of FIBA (Florida International Bankers Association).

Carlos Eduardo Escotet Alviarez

Director

Bringing an extensive history with Banesco Group since 2011 serving on the board of several Banesco Group companies worldwide and leading innovation in the design and implementation of new products combined with entrepreneurship in commercial real estate and multi-family segments in the United States. He holds an MBA from Rady School of Management (UCSD) and is a Graduate in Economics from Universidad Catolica Andres Bello.

Alvaro Morales

Director

Banking executive combining over 22 years of experience in private banking, wealth management, global and business generation that include CEO and Board of Director positions in Santander Group with technology innovation and fintech entrepreneurship as co-Founder and Chairman of Flanks. He holds an MBA from IESE and is an industrial engineer from the Polytechnic University of Catalonia.

Edward Holden

Director

Senior banking executive with more than 45 years of experience and expertise in commercial, corporate and international lending with a principal focus on asset & liability growth. Brings board leadership and market president and group regional vice president experience at prestigious local and national financial institutions. He holds Bachelor and Master degrees in Business Administration from the University of Florida.

José B. Carrión III

Director

With more than 25 years experience as a financial services executive and insurance consultant driving sustainable business growth, in addition to experience overseeing budget, policy management, governing oversight, strategic planning and other processes, he brings to our Bank significant board leadership expertise. He holds a Master in Business Administration from St. John’s University and Bachelor of Arts from the University of Pennsylvania, among other diplomas and certifications. Mr. Carrión III resides in Puerto Rico.

Executive Management

CALIXTO (CALI) GARCÍA-VÉLEZ

President & CEO

Banking executive with extensive experience in the South Florida and Puerto Rico Markets. Mr. Garcia-Velez has been involved in the financial sector since 1993. He began his banking career at the former First Union National Bank followed by a very successful career in Citibank, Doral Bank and in his most recent position as Executive Vice President of First BanCorp (NYSE:FBP) as a Regional Executive of FirstBank Florida. He has been involved in his community for many years, currently serves on the Board of Directors of the United Way of Miami, The Beacon Council, the Alliance for South Florida National Parks Trust, and was recently named to the Florida Bankers Association Board of Directors. He also serves as a Guardian ad Litem volunteer. He is a graduate of the University of Miami, where he received both his bachelor's and MBA.

Mercedes Escotet

Executive Vice-President, Chief Corporate Governance Officer

Ms. Escotet brings over 35 years of experience in the financial sector, she is responsible for directing Banesco USA's overall corporate governance, audit, and procurement functions, as well as serving as Secretary to the Board of Directors.

Leticia Pino

Executive Vice-President, Chief Administrative Officer

Ms. Pino currently brings over 35 years of experience from both international and domestic operations. She is responsible for the daily operations of the Bank as well as Human Resources and other administrative areas.

Maritza Abadía

Executive Vice-President, Puerto Rico Country Manager

Ms. Abadia is a professional banker and certified public accountant with more than 35 years experience in Corporate Banking.

Nelson Hidalgo

Executive Vice-President, Head of Corporate Banking

Mr. Hidalgo brings over 25 years of experience in Corporate Banking and Commercial Lending. He is responsible for Corporate Banking.

Michel Vogel

Senior Vice-President, Chief Credit Officer

Mr. Vogel has over 25 years of banking experience within commercial banking and credit management. He holds an MBA from Florida Atlantic University. He is responsible for the Credit Administration unit.

Julio Valle

Executive Vice-President, Chief Information Officer

Mr. Valle has over 20 years of experience in technology and 15 focused on financial institutions. He currently leads the bank's technical operations, business intelligence, and innovative projects.

Kenneth Schoeni

Executive Vice-President, Chief Financial & Risk Officer

Mr. Schoeni is responsible for directing Banesco USA's overall risk, finance, and treasury functions. Prior to joining Banesco USA in 2012, Mr. Schoeni worked in investment banking at Lazard Middle Market and Sandler O’Neill. Mr. Schoeni holds a B.A. from Vanderbilt University.

Gustavo Rengifo

SVP, Head of Business Transformation

Mr. Rengifo is responsible for the project management, process and customer channels areas of the bank including Digital Banking, Treasury Management, and Marketing. He currently leads customer experience and innovation-focused projects. Mr. Rengifo holds master's degrees in mechanical engineering and Business Administration.

Norma Sabo

Senior Vice-President, General Counsel

Ms. Sabo has extensive legal, regulatory, and transactional experience in the international and financial services industry including Corporate, Banking, Securities, Investment Advisory, and Investment Management. Ms. Sabo has an LLM in Taxation, University of Miami School of Law; J.D., Nova Southeastern University School of Law; and a B.A. in Public Administration, University of Miami.

Luis Pereda

SVP, Head of International Banking

Mr. Pereda oversees the International Banking, Foreign Correspondent Banking and Foreign Residential Mortgage unit. Mr. Pereda has over 15 years in International Banking experience, including local banking experience prior to Joining Banesco in 2011. Mr. Pereda holds a B.A. In Finance and International Business and an MBA Degree from Florida International University.

Corporate Banking

Amelia C. Rodriguez

SVP, Relationship Manager

Ana Lorenzo

SVP, Relationship Manager

Martha S. Tabio

SVP, Relationship Manager

Frank Casas

SVP, Relationship Manager

Brian Barroso

SVP, Corporate Relationship Manager

John Cedres

VP, Relationship Manager

Oscar Valdez

SVP, Relationship Manager

Giancarlo E. Paone

Relationship Manager

Hasel Villoch

VP, Relationship Manager

Roland Valdivieso

SVP, Corporate Banking Palm Beach Team Leader

Keith Douglass

VP, Relationship Manager II, Palm Beach

Travis Fitzpatrick

VP, Relationship Manager II, Palm Beach

Yanelyn Prats

VP, Relationship Manager

Business & Professional Banking Centers

Rogelio Obeso

SVP, Relationship Manager

Luis J Gonzalez

VP, Relationship Manager

David Van Sky

VP, Client Relationship Officer

Michelle Sanchez

VP, Relationship Manager

Victor Uranga

Relationship Manager

Joshua Mendez

VP, Relationship Manager

Jose Campos

Client Relationship Officer

Lesly Santiago

VP, Client Relationship Officer

Theresa Lee Castellano

SVP, Client Relationship Officer Team Lead

Luis M. Gonzalez

SVP, Business and Professional Team Manager

Lisa Gonzalez

SVP, Business & Professional Banking Manager

Vicente Fernandez

SVP, Relationship Manager

International

Nelisa Chacín

VP, Regional Manager

Maria De Lourdes Rivera

VP, Relationship Manager

Natahly Bermudez

AVP, Relationship Manager

Susana Martinez

Relationship Manager

Alfredo Rodriguez

Relationship Manager

Jose Luis Goncalves

Relationship Manager

Rafael Suarez Olivo

Relationship Manager

Mario Delgado

AVP, Relationship Manager II

Puerto Rico Branch Staff

Francisco Portero

SVP, Relationship Manager

Maria Mercedes Norcisa

VP, Relationship Manager

Leonardo Maldonado

VP, Relationship Manager

Miguel Cartagena

SVP, Relationship Manager

Sylvia Quintero

VP, Relationship Manager

Residential Lending

Enrique Ugarte

VP, Residential Lending Officer

Lourdes Escarza

VP, Consumer & Mortgage Lending Officer

Nikkie Rostami

AVP, Residential Lending Officer

Treasury Management

Luis De Nicolo

VP, Treasury Management Officer

Corporate Social Responsibility

We strive to help build the communities we serve by focusing our attention and resources locally.

Banesco Stories

Meet some of our customers and learn about their experience with Banesco USA.

Careers

Do you want to join the Banesco USA team?

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