|
COMMERCIAL BANK STOCK |
|
|
2011 |
||
|
The Most Powerful Name In Corporate News and Information |
||
|
Energy | Resources | Capital Goods | Healthcare | Financial | Technology | Communications | Business Services |
||
|
CURRENT ISSUE | COVER ARCHIVES | INDEX | CONTACT | FINANCIALS | SERVICES | HOME PAGE |
||
|
With a New Management Team in Place, Americas United Bank is Returning to its Original Growth Strategy – Going Back to the Basics of Relationship, Community Banking with a Focus on the Needs of Hispanic Entrepreneurs and Professionals in the Greater Los Angeles Area |
||
|
Jr. Oil & Gas
DBRM
Jr. Gold CCD
Medical Device COO
Commercial Banks EMPK
Technology CPSH
Business
Services PRGX
Canadian Resource LAT |
Americas United Bank is a
commercial bank, primarily owned by successful Hispanic entrepreneurs and
professionals from the greater Los Angeles area. The diversity of its
directors coupled with a multicultural staff of bilingual employees has
positioned Americas United Bank to become the leading Hispanic bank in the
State of California.
Ms. Boeka: I remember reading about the opening of Americas United Bank and admired the sense of purpose and vision that the founders had in serving the Hispanic community and in particular Hispanic businesses. I recall noting that it was the first Hispanic-owned business bank in California in my memory and while I did not know any of the bankers that were there at the inception, I recognized the potential for building the Bank into a special organization. When I was provided the opportunity to join and lead Americas United Bank, I looked forward to moving the Bank forward, establishing profitability, and meeting the vision of the founders.
Ms. Boeka: As a Hispanic-owned bank servicing primarily Hispanic-owned small to medium businesses, the Bank is uniquely positioned to provide the financial services these businesses need to survive and to grow. The Bank was founded by individuals who followed the same growth patterns in their own businesses and were able to establish profitable companies. The Bank is able to draw on that experience and have the flexibility to meet our customer’s needs.
Ms. Boeka: An example would be when the Bank was introduced to the owner of a graphics company who had opened the business fifteen years ago, but were growing their business by capitalizing it in small increments, as they produced profits. In order to grow, the business needed a bank that would finance their growth. However, many banks exclude that type of new business. They require a longer history and more profitability. At our Bank, because the door was opened by a member of the Bank’s Board of Directors, who was familiar with the business owner, the Bank recognized the relationship between the two individuals. The Director’s recommendation of the business owner together with his guarantee of the credit, allowed the Bank to provide financing of the equipment purchases that will allow the business to grow. At AUB we capitalize on the long term relationships that our Directors introduce to the Bank. Our Directors network of business relationships has allowed the Bank to develop banking relationships through their business bankers.
Ms. Boeka: The challenging economy and interest rate environment has taken a toll on profitability at many banks, this one, and many of its peers. To overcome this challenge it will take a concentrated effort of growing the Bank’s customer base by all of us; executive management, relationship management, business development officers and the support staff. It also requires the continued involvement and support of the Board of Directors. We took the steps necessary to address our loan loss exposure and the Bank remains financially strong with capital ratios above what is considered “Well Capitalized” by regulatory agencies.
Ms. Boeka: Our growth strategy is to go back to what we did in the first year, when we opened the bank. We have to go back to basics and grow the customer base one at a time and have everybody reconnect to the original vision.
Ms. Boeka: Everybody is on board. There was a little bit of time here between the departure of Mr. Dalmau, who was the original founding CEO and my arrival. During that time there was a void in the CEO leadership that slowed the growth momentum but as soon as I arrived, I could see how everyone was ready to do whatever it takes. I am very excited about the staff’s dedication and the fact that what we said that we would do when the bank was opened is still valid.
Ms. Boeka: Actually no, we have the top of the line in banking products. We just need to demonstrate them more and we have to sell more. The products that we opened the bank with are top of the line for a business bank.
CEOCFO: Why should potential investors look at Americans United Bank?
Ms. Boeka: The stock is trading under book value and certainly much lower than what the original amount of the investment was, so that offers opportunity to an interested investor. Anytime that you have an under book traded stock that has potential to continue to grow, that is good. Of course, every investor has to do its own review of the reports to determine future growth potential for the bank.
Ms. Boeka: The most important is that the original founding values and purpose of why Americas United Bank was created, have not changed. Our investors, customers and peers should know this and that the new leadership is here to reconnect with the founding vision.
|
AUNB-Print Version
|
|
Access thousands of full-text Public
Company CEO & CFO Interviews!
|
||
|
The most important is that the original founding values and purpose of why Americas United Bank was created, have not changed. Our investors, customers and peers should know this and that the new leadership is here to reconnect with the founding vision. - Adriana M. Boeka |
||
