OCTAVIO HERNÁNDEZ
Vice Chairman of the Board, President, and Chief Executive Officer

Octavio Hernandez has been a leader in Miami’s banking industry for more than thirty-six years. He began his banking career while attending college and worked his way up to the top of Miami’s banking community.

During his career, he managed local banking institutions where he significantly increased their total asset base and loan portfolios while also improving their regulatory ratings. He also oversaw the retail banking, commercial lending and international private banking divisions as Senior Vice President of two local banking institutions.

In 2002, Hernandez and a group of established local entrepreneurs envisioned and founded a new bank, “a good, quality community bank that understands the needs of our community.” In doing so, U.S. Century Bank was established and made history for the largest start-up capital ever by a state chartered independent community bank in the state of Florida (the average capitalization for a startup bank is $8 million). U.S. Century Bank raised $22 million by October 2002 and by the end of that year the total had grown to $30 million.

While most banks often wait two to three years before seeing a profit, U.S. Century made a profit in just its third month of operation. U.S. Century Bank was an instant success. Over the years the bank has continued to grow, has remained profitable, and today the bank has approximately $2 billion in assets and 25 locations throughout Miami-Dade and Broward counties. Under Hernandez’s leadership, the Bank was the recipient of the 2008 Beacon Award for Financial Services, the 2009 and 2008 Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Minority Business Award, the 2007 South Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Award and the 2008 and 2009 Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce Diamond Award.

Hernandez currently serves on the Boards of The Florida Bankers Association and The South Florida Banking institute. In 2010, he received the Florida International University Torch Awards for Career Achievement. In 2008, Hernandez received the “Banker of the Year Award” from the South Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and was inducted into the Miami Dade College Hall of Fame for his accomplishments in banking. Hernández was also named “Banker of the Year 2004-2005” by The Cuban American Bankers Association. In 2009, Hernandez received the March of Dimes Building our Community Award.