Florida Banking August/September 2025

The BankMiami team visits their new office on Sunset Drive in Coral Gables. The team plans to hold a grand-opening celebration once they move into the new building.

client acquisition, satisfaction and community impact.” That belief in people-first banking extends to internal culture. “We want this to be the best place to work,” Usategui says. “When employees feel valued, they deliver exceptional service. That’s how you grow – not through ads, but through word-of-mouth and trust.” BankMiami has already celebrated milestones, from navigating regulatory approval to being oversubscribed in their capital raise. But for Usategui and Martinez, the true accomplishment lies in the excitement and ownership felt by their team. “Watching our people flourish – that’s what I’m most proud of,” Usategui says. “Seeing employees take ownership and thrive in this new environment has been incredibly rewarding.” Martinez adds, “We’ve seen support not just from clients, but from other banks. That kind of goodwill means everything. It’s a testament to the relationships we’ve built over the years.” Looking to the future, BankMiami’s focus remains clear: grow sustainably, serve meaningfully and remain agile in a shifting financial landscape. Still, challenges remain. For de novo banks, fintech recognition issues and routing number delays are ongoing headaches. Community banks, more broadly, face looming concerns around digital asset regulation and limited tech resources. But Usategui and her team are ready. “We’re keeping a close eye on crypto regulation and potential shifts,” she says. “If the big banks adapt quickly, smaller banks risk falling behind. That’s why we’ve prioritized technology from Day One.” And, of course, capital remains a hurdle for any startup bank. “We’re fortunate to be in a wealthy region, but even then, raising funds was tough,” Martinez notes.“People bet on us because they believed in the team. That’s humbling — and motivating.”

BankMiami, Continued from page 8

flexibility lets us compete at a high level right out of the gate.” But why go through the trouble of starting a bank instead of acquiring one? “Because it gave us control,” Usategui says.“We didn’t want to untangle old systems or compromise our vision. Starting fresh was the right move.” The FBA has played a pivotal role in both Usategui’s personal development and BankMiami’s formation. “I joined the FBA about 10 years ago,” she says. “Our former CEO, Raul Valdes-Fauli, introduced me to it. After his passing, it became even more important for us to stay involved and carry on his legacy.” Usategui serves on the FBA Board of Directors and previously served on the FBA’s BancServ Board. In 2022, she received the FBA Horizon Award – a moment she says was “incredibly meaningful,” particularly because Valdes-Fauli had received the same honor. Following in their footsteps, Martinez received the FBA Horizon award in June 2025. He’s now in his second year of serving on the Florida Bankers Educational Foundation Board. “The support we’ve received from the FBA community has been unbelievable,” he says. “It’s been a huge part of our journey.” A Future Built on Trust The Miami banking landscape has changed dramatically over the past two decades. In 2008, there were 42 banks headquartered in the area. Today, there are just 18 – despite a booming population and business influx. That imbalance created a perfect window for BankMiami. “There was a real void in the market,” Usategui explains. “We saw it and jumped on it.” Their approach isn’t just about numbers, though. It’s about client experience. “We’re here to reduce friction in banking,” she says. “Success isn’t just asset size. It’s

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