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A year ago, Coconut Grove Bank president and board
chairman Angus Harrison told Community Newspapers that he intended to
cut back on his schedule and name a new president. Last week, he made
good on his promise and led his board of directors in electing chief
operating officer Charles Umberger as the bank's president.
Charles Umberger
Umberger, a 20-year veteran of Florida banking, has
been with the Coconut Grove Bank since 1998 and also was executive
vice president. He is a Duke University graduate and earned an MBA
from the University of North Carolina. He serves on the Board of
Directors of the Coconut Grove Chamber of Commerce and resides in
Coral Gables with his wife Judy and their three children.
Angus D. Harrison, Jr.
"Charlie's promotion is part of our overall plan
to grow this bank into the future," said Harrison. "From the
parking lot to the elevators, from the drive-thru lanes to the core
processing system, we are updating and improving everything for our
customers."
Umberger, though, emphasized that Harrison was still
at the helm of the bank.
"He's still our chairman of the board, he's still
very, very active in the bank and it's still a team effort," said
Umberger. "This just means that he'll be able to come in at eight
in the morning, rather than 7:15, and maybe he'll be able to take a
Friday and a Monday off every month, rather than working all the
time."
Meantime, Umberger, calling it "an exciting
time" to lead Coconut Grove Bank, announced that the bank would
open a new branch in South Miami-Dade County. He said the branch,
which will include drive-through facilities, would be located in the
Publix shopping center at 146th Street and South Dixie Highway and
open for business by the end of the year.
"This has been in the works for almost two
years," said Umberger. "We will be taking 2,500 square feet
in what will be about an 8,000 square foot building. It's a lobby-type
of bank branch, plus two or three drive-through tellers out front. We
haven't finalized all of the design work so I don't have a dollar
figure available, but it's going to be a significant investment for
us."
The new branch will be the bank's second satellite
facility, as another branch already is open in downtown Coconut Grove.
The Coconut Grove Bank also operated a branch in downtown Homestead,
but closed the facility shortly after Hurricane Andrew ripped through
South-Miami Dade in 1992.
The new branch is in line with several other
modernization moves that Coconut Grove Bank is undertaking, including
a complete remodeling of the main bank's lobby, replacing of
elevators, upgrading core computer systems, installation of new teller
and platform equipment, issuance of a new customer check card and new
management for the bank's trust department.
"Working with such an experienced, dedicated
management team is a real joy," said Umberger.
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