Ernie Diaz: Oversees pivotal operations of BankUnited in three states

Since March of 2024, Ernie Diaz has been leading BankUnited’s consumer, small business and commercial banking teams as senior executive vice president, consumer & commercial/small business executive.

Mr. Diaz has been overseeing the sales and branch strategy for the bank’s consumer, small business, and commercial banking divisions across Florida, Texas and New York, leading teams that serve businesses ranging from startups to companies with up to $100 million in annual revenue.

“At BankUnited, we’re here to help you. The more we can understand your business, the more we can learn about you,” Mr. Diaz said. “We like to sit down with the business owner, meet their team, CPA, and attorney. We like to form part of the team, and I think if you can form that level of partnership, then you can help the business so much more.”

With nearly four decades of leadership in banking operations in South Florida, Mr. Diaz is an accomplished senior executive who is highly regarded for leading successful teams focused on growth.

Previously, he spent 16 years, most recently as executive vice president, at TD Bank. He was responsible for leading TD’s consumer distribution network and largest employee population across the bank’s Maine-to-Florida footprint, including more than 1,100 branches, contact centers, and the bank’s extensive ATM network, online and mobile channels performance.

He also served as TD Bank’s regional president in Florida, where he was responsible for providing strategic direction and sales leadership to retail, small business, commercial and specialty banking operations, and lending services throughout a network of more than 155 branches.

Beyond the boardroom, Mr. Diaz is deeply embedded in the South Florida community. He serves on the Baptist Health Services Board of Trustees and the Orange Bowl Committee. He is a past chair of The Beacon Council, Miami-Dade County’s economic development partnership, and of the Florida International University School of Business Dean’s Council. He also has served on the boards of the Camillus House and Latin Builders Association.

Based in Miami Lakes and with over $35 billion in assets, BankUnited operates banking centers in Florida, New York and Texas, and offers 24-hour digital access to individuals, small businesses, middle-market companies, large corporations, and institutions seeking a broad range of consumer and commercial banking products and services.

Mr. Diaz said he is pursuing a renewed emphasis on small business banking at BankUnited, one where deep knowledge of a client’s business and goals matters as much as the numbers.

It’s a perspective shaped by nearly four decades on the front lines of commercial and community banking, he said: “We look for solutions, and we like to consider ourselves with this concept of white glove treatment, and so we like to sit down, review results with the business owner, think about their expansion plans, and explain where we have seen success.”

Mr. Diaz spoke with Miami Today reporter Abraham Galvan.

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