Roberto R. Herencia was confirmed by the US Senate in 2011 to serve on OPIC’s Board of Directors. In addition to serving as the President and CEO of BXM Holdings, Inc., an investment fund specializing in community banks, Mr. Herencia currently serves as non-executive chairman of the Board of Directors of FirstBancorp (NYSE:FBP) and its subsidiary bank FirstBank Puerto Rico, as well as an independent director of SKBHC Holdings and its two subsidiary banks AmericanWest Bank and First National Bank of Starbuck.
Mr. Herencia is a financial services industry executive, consultant and thought leader with 30 years of broad experience in all aspects of community banking in the U.S. and emerging markets.
Previously, he spent 17 years with Popular Inc. (NASDAQ:BPOP) as its Executive Vice President and as President of Banco Popular North America, building a distinct $12 billion community bank with 138 branches in five of the largest urban markets located across six states. Prior to joining Popular, Mr. Herencia spent 10 years with The First National Bank of Chicago (now J.P. Morgan Chase) in a variety of roles, including Deputy Senior Credit Officer and Head of the Emerging Markets Division.
Mr. Herencia has received numerous awards for his civic contributions including the Distinguished Corporate Citizenship Award from The Jewish Council on Urban Affairs, the Evy Award from A Silver Lining Foundation, and the prestigious Ellis Island Medal of Honor.
Mr. Herencia is a native of Puerto Rico and lives in Chicago, Illinois.