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Executive Women
Trendsetters - Oct. 2006
 Miriam Lopez - TransAtlantic Bank, Chairwoman, CEO, Miami |
Risk-Reward - Miriam Lopez
Background:
Age 55. Arrived in the U.S. from Cuba at age 9. As a student, considered diplomacy, then law and finally banking.
Bank then:
TransAtlantic had one branch and just $1 million in capital when she was asked to join as president and CEO in 1985 from Republic National Bank. "I knew there was going to be some risk. I was young."
Bank now:
Seven branches, $574 million in assets, 130 employees. Not rapid growth but ...
Lucrative:
The annualized return on equity is 17.3%, making TransAtlantic a top performer. Its major lending arenas are business and commercial real estate.
Bank in 2010:
$1 billion in assets without, she hastens to add, "losing our return on equity."
Honors:
Miami Dade College Alumni Hall of Fame, Hispanic Magazine Latina of Excellence Award for banking and finance.
Worst part of job:
Administrative and regulatory.
New vice: vice:
Sudoku. "I sit up until 1 or 2 in the morning doing those puzzles."
Travel lover:
"You see my face change the moment I get on a plane."
The five states left to visit:
The Dakotas, Utah, Nebraska and Minnesota.
An upcoming must-see:
Machu Picchu.
Trustee:
Florida International University.
