FIU President Mark Rosenberg and U.S. Century Bank President and CEO Octavio Hernandez ’74 celebrate the “Pantherization” of U.S. Century Bank. Photos by Ivan Santiago ’00
As FIU “Pantherizes” the areas around its campuses, U.S. Century Bank leads the way by partnering in this community development initiative By Martin Haro ’05
naming gift to FIU Athletics, which helped
we’ve taken ownership of it in this community,”
fund improvements to the university’s arena
Gonzalez-Levy said. “By partnering up with
branch and there is no mistaking that you
at Modesto A. Maidique Campus. He is
U.S Century Bank, which is led by an FIU
are in Panther Territory.
also featured in FIU’s new Worlds Ahead
alumnus, we let people know visually that our
commercial, which aired on local television
reach goes beyond the four corners of our
this spring.
campus.”
Walk into the U.S. Century Bank’s Tamiami
Signage in the branch at the corner of S.W. 87th Avenue and 8th Street declares U.S. Century is now a partner in education
When FIU Senior Vice President Sandra
U.S. Century Bank employees have
with FIU. An FIU logo is prominently
Gonzalez-Levy approached Hernández and
displayed inside and blue-and-gold athletic
U.S. Century Senior Marketing Director
schedules may be found near deposit slips.
Ileana Carrera Portal ’99 about showing their
FIU’s presence at the bank,” said Tamiami VP
Casual Friday has given way to FIU Pride
pride in FIU in a big, bold way, they agreed
branch manager Raquel Benitez, whose son is
Day, with bank staff – especially those
to make U.S. Century Bank a torchbearer
pursuing an education degree at the university.
who attended the university or have family
in FIU’s Pantherization initiative, an effort to
“We’ve gotten a lot of new FIU business…
currently attending – donning their FIU gear.
dress up the university’s neighborhoods in
students who think this is cool.”
Octavio Hernández ’74 is the Torch Award– winning vice chairman, president and CEO of
blue and gold. “The histories of FIU and our community
welcomed Pantherization. “People are excited and happy to see
With U.S. Century Bank leading the way, FIU is pursuing Pantherization efforts with other
U.S. Century Bank. In 2002, he co-founded
are intertwined – they have changed
the bank, which, like FIU, has grown by leaps
enormously over the years,” Hernández
and bounds to become a community leader.
said. “The two reflect each other, and U.S.
in the city of Sweetwater, just to the north of
Today, the bank employs more than 20 FIU
Century has very strong ties and has made a
FIU. The Publix store across from MMC sells
alumni at its 25 South Florida branches. They
very strong commitment to both.”
FIU gear and has FIU posters. Also, last fall
include Executive Vice President of corporate
The Tamiami branch was the first to be
area businesses and organizations. FIU banners are flying along the main roads
FIU hosted its first FIU Shopping Day at the
lending George Bermudez ’03, Executive Vice
Pantherized last fall due to its proximity
Dolphin Mall to promote FIU gear sales and
President of global banking Oscar Gomez ’75,
to MMC. Since then, three other branches
give shoppers a chance to have their photo
and Brickell branch Vice President Ruth
have been brought on board, with the
taken with Roary and the Dazzlers.
Jimenez ’01.
bank’s Doral headquarters and Aventura
If you’re interested in Pantherizing your business, call the Division of External Relations at 305-348-7235.
Hernández has remained a loyal supporter of his alma mater, most recently with a 40 | SPRING 2011
branch coming soon. “We have a claim on the word ’Panther’ –