For Lobo, listening to the stories of how people were able to get ahead, buy their home in a responsible way or how they were able to grow their business, thanks to the knowledge that from his position helped to expand, is one of the greatest satisfactions that he has in the heart. | PHOTO: Carmen Rodríguez – ETL
“We went to the bank with my parents, I was probably in fifth grade or sixth grade, I don’t remember what the problem was, but my father wore a suit to go. I remember very well and that was what stuck with me, the tremendous respect that Mr. Rudsill showed to my mom and dad. There was a moment when he got up from his chair to leave his office and my mother looked at me and said ‘you can be like him’ and from then on I thought, ‘I want to be a banker.’
This is how a banker marked the life of Luis Lobo, an immigrant who is a pioneer in the work for inclusion and diversity in banking on the East Coast of the United States, who was inspired by the hard work of his parents, two Costa Rican immigrants , fought for people like them to have access to the financial system to improve their lives.
After 38 years, Lobo leaves his position as Executive Vice President of BB&T Bank.
He was the first Hispanic-origin member of the bank’s senior leadership to reach a senior management position in 2002, when he was named regional president in Frederick, Maryland, but the most important thing to him is not the legacy he leaves, but how thanks to His work from the bench helped change the lives of Latino, African American and Asian families.
“There was no other Latino and no other Asian, there could have been an African American. But I’m sure I was one of the first members of the senior leadership at the bank and that it turned out to be a person of color. So I think when people can see that, it also gives them hope that they can move up in whatever field they choose, “he said.
Like many children of immigrants, Luis attended school and finished his studies thanks to the efforts of his parents. This was another reason that prompted him, through his work in banking, to seek to impact the people of the unprotected and marginalized communities of the country and that is what makes him feel proud of all the legacy he leaves in the system inclusive financial.
“The desire to impact lives… I am really proud, first of that and second of the impact on communities. Not only economic impact, also impact with financial knowledge to communities, to young people. That empowers our people ”, he says visibly moved.
Many individuals, users and clients of BB&T services participated in informational workshops or educational workshops to learn about how to budget their income and expenses. Things that for some are simple and for others are more complicated, but that help improve finances and that people are properly informed.
For Lobo, listening to the stories of how people were able to get ahead, buy their home in a responsible way or how they were able to grow their business, thanks to the knowledge that from his position helped to expand, is one of the greatest satisfactions that he has in the heart.
“Some of them started a business, because they came to one of our classes and they had an idea. I remember when a young man, the son of an immigrant couple whom we helped buy their first car to establish their food business, came years later to thank me and already then they had three restaurants. That is satisfactory, “he added.
Following a mission
From that moment in which the banker Rudsill marked Lobo’s life, not only because of his professionalism but also because of the deep respect he showed his parents, even as immigrant workers, Luis identified with the purpose and values of respect and commitment to Latino communities, immigrants, communities of color or from groups that have long been excluded because they do not have access to the necessary information.
“The organization is based on a purpose, a mission and values. That particularly allows us to try to improve our world. We are bankers and that is an honorable profession. The banker creates opportunities for people, not only to protect their money; but also to be able to plan the events of your life, instead of not understanding how you are going to take those steps, “he said.
Lobo is satisfied because they seek help from the bankers.
The executive also recalls that his great opportunity came when those values that were consolidated in BB&T forged a closer commitment with the team members and that, in turn, allowed them to provide better advice to people.
And that, according to Lobo, is a way of also showing respect to all people, especially those who, like their parents, Southern Nacional Bank merged with BB&T 25 years ago, because that alliance opened the doors to his career, to his vision of support to the communities that needed more advice and financial information and their idea of including all the members of a team to improve the system in favor of these minorities.
Despite Lobo retiring from his banking duties, his challenges continue. One of the first goals that has been set to achieve in the first months of his retirement is to walk the Camino de Santiago, in Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
This is a route that many people take to reach the tomb of the Apostle Santiago. For Catholics it has a special religious meaning, for others it has a spiritual and knowledge meaning. The tour takes approximately 40 to 45 days.
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