FIU announces U.S. Century Bank Arena

MIAMI — Florida International University is pleased to announce the naming of its arena the U.S. Century Bank Arena in honor of the bank’s generous contribution and continuous support of the university.

The official dedication and unveiling ceremony will take place at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, January 7, 2009 at the arena, 11200 SW 8 Street in West Miami-Dade County. Honored guests include FIU President Modesto A. Maidique, county commissioners, university faculty and alumni, and U.S. Century Bank directors.

Headquartered in South Florida, U.S. Century Bank recognizes the important role FIU plays in providing South Floridians access to an excellent and affordable education and preparing future leaders. In making this gift to FIU’s Athletic Department, U.S. Century Bank pledges its support during a critical time when funding of public education has decreased.

“As an alumnus of FIU and part of the very first graduating class, I am so pleased that U.S. Century Bank is now teaming up with my alma mater,” said U.S. Century Bank President Octavio Hernandez. “I trust that our support will help leave a lasting impression on all the students, their families, the FIU faculty, alumni and guests who come in contact with this great university. It’s only fitting that U.S. Century Bank support the university since many of our employees are either graduates or are pursuing degrees at FIU.”

Ramon E. Rasco, chairman of U.S. Century Bank’s board of directors added that the bank has a responsibility to help support Miami’s only public university.

 “We trust that our contribution will have a positive impact on the lives of student athletes who attend the university and we’re looking forward to continuing to build our relationship with this community,” said Rasco.

U.S. Century Bank Arena, a 6,000-seat venue built in 1986, plays host to some of the university’s most important political, cultural, athletic and academic events. It is also the place where most FIU students begin and end their college careers: Both the welcome ceremony, Freshmen Convocation, and graduation take place at the arena.  Moreover, thousands of high school students also celebrate their graduation at the U.S. Century Bank Arena each spring.

Home to FIU’s basketball and volleyball teams, the arena also has hosted such dignitaries as the Dalai Lama.

“U.S. Century Bank is a great supporter of FIU and our mission in the community,” said FIU President Modesto A. Maidique. “The bank’s contribution will impact current and future student athletes of FIU. In recognition of this special relationship, our arena, one of this institution’s most visited buildings, will now bear our good friend’s name.”

-FIU-

Media Contact: Jean-Paul Renaud at 305-348-2716 or jprenaud@fiu.edu; Ileana Portal at 305-715-5141 or ileana.portal@uscentury.com.

About USCB
Established in 2002, U.S. Century Bank is one of the 10 largest community banks headquartered in Miami, with assets of $1.7 billion. Through its network of 22 branch locations and its online banking platform, it offers its customers a wide range of financial products and services. U.S. Century Bank received a coveted five-star rating from Bauer Financial and was rated one of the top three strongest banks in Florida by TheStreet.com, a New York-based financial news and analysis company. U.S. Century Bank is the recipient of the 2008 Beacon Award in Financial Services and a 2008 Outstanding Minority Business Award from the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce. For more information or to find a U.S. Century branch near you, call (305) 715-5200 or visit www.uscentury.com.

About FIU:
Florida International University was founded in 1965 and is Miami’s only public research university. With a student body of more than 38,000, FIU graduates more Hispanics than any other university in the country. Its 17 colleges and schools offer more than 200 bachelors, masters and doctoral programs in fields such as engineering, international relations and law. FIU has been classified by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching as a “High Research Activity University.” In 2006 FIU was authorized to establish a medical school, which will welcome its first class in 2009. FIU’s College of Law recently received accreditation in the fastest time allowed by the American Bar Association.