The Mayor of Coral Gables, Jim Cason, praised First Bank Florida on the opening of a new, full-service branch in Coral Gables. Cutting the ribbon in the new banking facility, Cason said that in providing service to the business community the bank will support projects that directly impact the local economy, a goal of the City of Coral Gables.
Calixto García-Vélez, Executive Vice President and Florida Region Executive for the bank, said the branch marks 25 years of the presence of First Bank Florida in Coral Gables and will be a state-of-the-art facility prepared to provide personal, commercial and corporate relationships to the residents of the City Beautiful. He said that in addition to supporting area businesses, the Coral Gables branch will also support community organizations as part of the bank’s social responsibility conscience.
The Mayor added that the new branch of First Bank Florida joins the many national and international corporations that had selected Coral Gables as the place to do business, and he thanked the faith of the bank in the city that he called “a unique community”. He said the location of the new facility at 2990 Ponce de Leon is in the City’s financial district in the area where a new project, Agave, will be developed at a cost of over $800 million.
“In addition to providing turn-key consumer, commercial and corporate banking services, the branch will have an expanded staff ready to address the demand in residential lending and refinancing in the area, as well as the need for lines of credit and financing for small and mid-sized businesses,” added García-Vélez. Vice President Carla Largaespada will manage the Coral Gables Branch. She welcomed guests to the new branch.
In just the past two years, First Bank Florida has continued to show sustained growth in Florida. It has seen more than 39% loan growth, 4% deposit growth, and 17% employee growth, and has added new branches as well.
First Bank Florida regional headquarters is in the Blue Lagoon area just south of Miami International Airport. It has a workforce of 140, of which 15 were added last year to boost its residential lending team.
First Bank Florida has its headquarters at 701 Waterford Way, Bldg. 1, Suite 800, in Miami, Florida. (305) 786-3300, Visit www.firstbankfla.com.
