Florida Banking July 2023

CHAIR’S MESSAGE

THE TIME IS NOW: READY TO SERVE AS FBA CHAIR

BY JOSE CUETO, FBA CHAIR

M y uncle was one of the first Cuban American bankers in South Florida to become a bank president. I looked up to him, and the business of banking intrigued me. I discovered I had a natural affinity for math and finance. A summer internship in banking led to a part-time job, and the rest is history. Each step in my career has led me here. It is an honor to give back to this industry that has given so much to me and my family and to represent you as your next Chair of the Florida Bankers Association. Big thanks to my predecessor, Past Chair Bill Penney, for his leadership and wisdom. I am excited to follow the tradition of championing bankers’ voices in Tallahassee and Washington to address legislation. Ours is an industry that’s constantly under fire. As members of the FBA, we play a role in educating our customers, the public, and our representatives about the important work we do and how proposed legislation impacts our local communities. We do what we do because we love to serve our communities. And when we advocate for banking issues, we are fighting for or against legislation that will help or hurt consumers, entrepreneurs, and small businesses. Through my involvement with the FBA, serving on the Government Relations Council, BankPac, and the Board of Directors, I’ve seen how our relationships and persistent communication with representatives make a difference. Our representatives can’t help us if they don’t understand our position on a particular issue. Similarly, we can best help our customers when we know what’s happening in legislation at the state and federal levels.

In our conversations with representatives over the coming year, I will speak up about ESG regulation, credit union taxation, and the Safe Harbor Act, to name a few. Of course, we need your support to be successful. We need our members to be involved, and I’m not referring only to our C-suite executives. Who is going to step up from the next generation? One of my goals as Chair is to engage our young people in our advocacy efforts and encourage other banking leaders to do the same. We have to be intentional about developing our next generation bankers because they are next to take up the mantle. Let’s make this the year we invite new faces

to our events and ask our young people to participate in advocacy opportunities. One of my mantras is this: You don’t have to stand tall, but you do have to stand. The FBA offers plenty of opportunities for bankers to participate, whether by joining a board or committee, attending events such as leadership luncheons and trips to Washington, D.C., or simply answering our “Calls to Action.” I look forward to serving alongside Chair Elect Derek

“LET’S MAKE THIS THE YEAR THAT WE INVITE NEW FACES TO OUR EVENTS AND ASK OUR YOUNG PEOPLE TO PARTICIPATE IN ADVOCACY OPPORTUNITIES.”

Jones as well as the experienced and helpful team at the FBA. I am also grateful to my team at International Finance Bank for their support as I take on these new responsibilities. Most of all, I look forward to seeing you at our upcoming events. In September, the FBA is hosting leadership events in Tampa and Miami honoring FDIC Vice Chairman Travis Hill (Sept. 7) and FDIC Chair Martin Gruenberg (Sept. 12). Register today to save your seat — see you then!

4 — FLORIDA BANKING THE VOICE OF FLORIDA BANKING