In 2003, Miami Herbert Business School Master of Science in Accountancy program alumna Mary Usategui, started her first job in the financial industry as a teller at Coconut Grove Bank, Miami’s oldest continuously operating bank.
Fast forward to March 17, 2025, when Usategui made history by officially opening BankMiami, the first woman-founded bank in Miami. According to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, it’s also the first newly chartered bank to launch in Miami-Dade County since 2008.
Launching this pioneering venture during Women’s History Month underscores Usategui’s enduring commitment to excellence and her trailblazing role in the local business community.
Usategui began her career as a teller before steadily rising through the ranks over the course of 10 years—first as a financial analyst, then as a senior financial officer, and eventually being named CFO of Professional Bank while earning her master's degree from Miami Herbert in 2013. Under her financial leadership, Professional Holding Corp., the parent company of Professional Bank, grew into a $2.8 billion publicly traded institution. She went on to hold multiple executive roles, including Chief Strategy Officer at Seacoast Bank, before becoming CEO of Vente Advisors, the company she leveraged to launch BankMiami.
Her laundry list of accolades includes being named CFO of the Year, and 40 Under 40 by the South Florida Business Journal. She is also a member of the University of Miami Citizens Board, a select group of more than 250 business, professional, and civic leaders who actively support the University's philanthropic efforts and promote University of Miami programs.
Becoming a University of Miami Cane was only a matter of time for Usategui. Growing up, she attended Miami Hurricane football games with her father and grandfather and dreamt of attending the University of Miami to chant ‘C-A-N-E-S’ as a student.
“It was my dream,” said Usategui when asked why she chose to attend the University of Miami. “As I moved along in my career towards the CFO path, I knew I had to become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), which required me to return to school and obtain an accounting degree. It was a no-brainer to choose Miami Herbert because of its reputation and learning opportunities.”
As President and CEO and more than 20 years in the banking industry, Mary Usategui’s goal is to deliver a boutique concierge banking experience alongside her team, that will help her clients reach their financial goals.
Mary is a mother of two young children, whom she is raising to be Hurricane fans. She also volunteers with local dog rescues and partners with local organizations to mentor inner-city youth.
