Lynne Wines

Over the years, Lynne Wines has accumulated accolades aplenty. She has been named a “trendsetter” by Florida Trend magazine and a “Business Woman of the Year” by the South Florida Business Journal.

She has been honored for her work with March of Dimes, serves on numerous boards and supports several charitable organizations in South Florida including Kids 4 Kids Fill-A-Backpack campaign, Jack & Jill Children’s Center, Read Across America, Principal for a Day, Make A Wish Foundation and SOS Children’s Village.

But when it comes to her success as president and CEO of Union Bank in Sunrise, she’s quick to share the credit.

“The only thing I’ve accomplished is hiring the right people. I’ve had a lot of fun and feel fortunate to be here,” she says.

Wines began her banking career as a teller in Chicago in the late 1970s. After taking some time off to raise her young son, she joined Union Bank in 1986 as vice president and controller — a time when the institution had only $30 million in assets and two branches.

In 1987, Lennar Corporation cofounder Leonard Miller gained majority ownership of the bank, and his family took sole ownership in 1997. They made Wines CEO in 1999 and have been providing capital to grow the bank.

Wines is responsible for the overall strategic direction of Union Bank, an $850 million community bank with 17 locations in South Florida. In her 16 years at the institution, she has served as CFO, COO and CEO. Under her leadership, the bank has shown a 42% increase in earnings to $10.1 million in 2002. Her goal is to top $1 billion in assets by 2004.

Commercial real estate figures prominently in the equation, Wines says, primarily because the bank’s board is entrepreneurial and very familiar with the industry.

Union Bank originated more than $70 million in commercial real estate loans in the first quarter of 2003, an increase in loan production of 123% over the same period last year.

Other banks, Wines adds, seem to trust the judgment of Union Bank’s leadership as well. “When we approve a deal, we have people knocking on our door to participate,” she says.

Wines says expansion of the bank will occupy her time for the foreseeable future as she seeks sites in Dade and Palm Beach counties. A march northward is planned from there, she says.