Orlando-based Cogent Bank opens Coral Gables office targeting commercial clients

Orlando-based Cogent Bank opens Coral Gables office targeting commercial clients

By Rebecca San Juan - Digital Producer/Finance Reporter, South Florida Business Journal, October 13, 2026

Orlando-based Cogent Bank has made its South Florida debut with a new Coral Gables office targeting commercial clients and high-net-worth professionals.

The $2.4 billion-asset community bank opened this month at 55 Merrick Way, Suite 404, tapping three local bankers to launch operations ahead of a planned hiring push next year, said Andrew Obermann, Miami-Dade County market president. A grand opening celebration is scheduled for Thursday.

"A lot of big institutions are moving in, and the southeast Florida market has grown," Obermann told the Business Journal. "We've seen an influx of high-net worth individuals and businesses from out of state and I think that when banks get bigger the personal relationship with the bank tends to wane. That's a great opening for us."

Obermann joined the team with 15 years of experience, most recently serving as financial vice president of private client group relations at Amerant Bank in Coral Gables. He'll focus on private and commercial banking services. Orly Garcia will oversee sports and entertainment banking as its senior vice president and managing director. Garcia has about two decades in the industry and, just like Obermann, joined from Amerant. Madelayne Cordero will serve as the head of trust.

At the moment, the team wants to prioritize brand awareness and earning clients, Obermann said. Clients can expect service at any time, Obermann said, adding he expects weekend calls and late texts from clients who expect that personalized, easy access to him and his team.

"Sometimes you get text messages when you're out of the country on vacation. The simple fact is that you are going to get calls at odd hours," Obermann said.

The team wants to hire another six staffers. Obermann said he's looking for bankers and associates with local experience by next fall.

"The first thing is to provide fantastic service and to keep your clients happy, but I think that the struggle ends up being how do we get the word out there that we are a fantastic place for people to bank at and to experience. We're getting involved with the community, the different chambers, nonprofit organizations to try to get Cogent Bank's name spread within the community to become more of a household name, but I think that happens client by client, right? Clients appreciate having quick decisions made."