Spotlight On: Brian Hagan, Florida Market President, First American Bank

Key points:

• First American Bank is expanding its Florida footprint while maintaining a relationship-driven, family-owned banking model.
• The bank is supporting small and middle-market businesses through advisory services, trade finance, and community-based partnerships.
• Workforce development, succession planning, and wealth management are emerging priorities as businesses navigate uncertainty and transition.

February 2026 — Invest: spoke with Brian Hagan, Florida market president of First American Bank, about the bank’s growth in the state, how it supports family-owned businesses, and why relationship-led banking still matters in a tech-heavy era. “We’re really engaged in trying to solve problems, and we’re not just a lender or someone who takes deposits, but we’re a partner for business,” Hagan said.

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How has the bank’s presence and footprint evolved in Florida over the past few years?

We’ve grown significantly, investing in our facilities, people, and expertise to better serve the Florida market.  Last year, both our deposits and loans increased, and our wealth management group saw gains, marking our 11th consecutive year of profit margin growth. We’re proud of what we’ve done, and look forward to continuing to support businesses here.

What commercial lending trends are you seeing among Florida businesses, and how is the bank responding?

Economic uncertainty and shifting tariffs have been concerns for Florida businesses this past year, especially for family-owned, small, and middle-market companies.  

We respond by connecting our customers to groups and specialists who can address complex issues like supply chain restructuring, sourcing shifts, or the ripple effects of policy changes.  Our goal is to act as a facilitator and partner, going beyond simply providing capital.

How do you tailor financial services to support small and middle-market businesses in Miami and across the state?

We tailor our services through community engagement and strategic partnerships that address the challenges our clients face. In Miami, for example, I serve on the boards of the Beacon Council, which focuses on workforce development, and the World Trade Center, which provides expertise on supply chains and trade. These connections allow us to bring the right skills to the table when businesses need them, reinforcing our role as a long-term partner.

How has your expansion, including staffing investments, influenced customer relationships and market penetration?

Our success has allowed us to expand our staff, enhancing the support we provide to customers. By hiring experienced senior team members and empowering them to understand clients’ businesses, we improve decision-making and strengthen advisory relationships. Long-term employee retention is equally important, as continuity and stability help maintain the lasting relationships our customers value.

Given Miami’s position as a global hub, what role do trade finance and international banking play in your Florida strategy?

It’s top of mind, and global developments have changed how American businesses operate. That shift is particularly impactful in Miami.

Tariffs and global shifts are prompting companies to explore local sourcing and production, and we help clients navigate available incentives. For example, through our work with the Manufacturing Association of Miami-Dade—which we helped establish as a hub of the South Florida Manufacturers Association—we are spearheading the development of a contract manufacturer list. This initiative connects businesses with local production options and supports their growth amid evolving global conditions.

What are the biggest challenges and opportunities for the banking industry in Miami and South Florida over the next few years?

Consolidation remains a major theme in banking, and a big driver is the race to keep up with technology and compliance needs. Those costs are significant, and large institutions can spread them over a much bigger footprint.

Our challenge is to remain independent and family-owned while delivering best-in-class technology and compliance. The opportunity lies in investing strategically while preserving what makes a community bank valuable: local knowledge, strong relationships, and long-term commitment.

How do you balance personalized community banking with the scale and resources of a larger institution?

It comes down to people and presence. Technology helps us deliver services efficiently, but personal relationships remain critical, especially for family-owned, small, and mid-market businesses. As we grow, we add local expertise without losing the relationship-driven approach that sets us apart.

How are you supporting businesses as they navigate regulatory challenges and uncertainty?

We help clients navigate regulatory uncertainty through education, partnerships, and multiple channels, including newsletters, events, and webinars. Our goal is to keep businesses informed and connected without requiring them to build large internal teams for every specialized need.

Are you pursuing workforce development initiatives, such as training, retention, or financial literacy?

Workforce development is essential for our customers’ growth. It’s critical to their plans that they have a sufficient workforce.

We’ve developed partnerships with local institutions, including FIU, the University of Miami, and Miami Dade College. They have workforce training programs, and in some cases, they can tailor programs to specific business needs. We recently met with a company that needed engineering expertise, and we discussed how we could help connect them to the right training resources. We work with companies on these issues and use local knowledge to connect them to solutions so they can continue to grow.

Looking ahead, what initiatives are you most excited about for the bank in the coming years?

I’m excited about our educational programs focused on business transition, from succession planning to sales or employee ownership. With so much capital pursuing businesses, owners need informed guidance. This work ties directly into our wealth management capabilities, and we’re excited about building out and expanding our wealth management group here to better serve family-owned businesses in that next stage.

What I hope comes across is how we see our role in the market: we’re focused on solving problems and supporting businesses, not just lending or taking deposits-we aim to be a true partner for our clients.

Want more? Read the Invest: Miami report.