Florida Banking August/September 2024

FirstBank Florida: Fostering Strong Community Relationships

F irstBank recently celebrated its 75th anniversary and 30 years on the New York Stock Exchange in 2023. Founded in 1948 as the first savings and loan institution in Puerto Rico, the entity evolved and became a commercial bank, then a savings bank, before going public in 1987. In 2004, it further extended its reach by opening

30-year tenure on the NYSE floor, have been momentous occasions,” Lacasa said. “It was an honor to visit New York and ring the closing bell. The experience symbolized not only personal achievement but also the collective success of a dedicated team.” Lacasa credits the bank’s positive culture and strong values for its success; he and his

a lending office in Miami and later acquiring UniBank and its subsidiaries in Florida. This strategic growth continued into 2006 when the company solidified its presence in South Florida, launching 10 new branches and changing its name to FirstBank Florida. Holding company First BanCorp is a full-service provider of financial services and products with operations in Puerto Rico, the mainland

team are committed to fostering an inclusive and family friendly environment, prioritizing loyalty and retention. Lacasa’s leadership team “reflects the diversity and multiculturalism of beautiful South Florida.” “Building long

“WE’RE VERY WELL DIVERSIFIED. THAT’S THE BEAUTY OF BEING A BANK THAT OPERATES IN THREE DIFFERENT REGIONS.” — JOSE MARIA LACASA

standing relationships in banking is extremely important, both with clients and also the internal organization. You need strong relationships with your head office in order to make things happen and accomplish goals,” Lacasa said. FirstBank’s internal engagement committee is responsible for creating initiatives to encourage and retain talent, recognize deserving employees, and promote a positive culture. The annual bowling tournament, a favorite among employees, is one such

United States, and the U.S. and British Virgin Islands. Today, the bank has $18.9 billion in assets and more than 3,000 employees. “We provide our customers with the personal banking experience of a local community bank and the extensive infrastructure and strong lending capabilities of a larger institution,” said FirstBank EVP and Florida Business Director Jose Maria Lacasa. He joined First BanCorp in 2013 and oversees the management and operations for the Florida region. “We’re very well diversified. That’s the beauty of being a bank that operates in three different regions.” The institution marked its milestone anniversary with a celebration in Puerto Rico at the Coca-Cola Music Hall, attended by more than 2,000 employees, and a talent show put on by the employees of all three regions. A Florida-based employee represented the bank very well and won second place overall. “Celebrating significant milestones, such as the bank’s 75th anniversary and

FirstBank Florida, Continued on page 10

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