News
New bank opens on solid reputation
Salterio president of Unibank
Unibank President Joseph L. Salterio, Alma Arosemena de Salterio and President Ricardo Martinelli celebrate the inauguration of Unibank.
A new bank called Unibank has opened amidst much expectation. Joseph L. Salterio is the president of the new Unibank & Trust, Inc. The bank celebrated its inauguration last week at its Balboa Avenue location in Bayfront Tower and announce that its initial capital is $50 million.
The Unibank board of directors
Joseph L. Salterio, Imad Issa, Daniel Levy, Moisés Azrak, David Btesh, José Ramón Mena, Moussa Attie, Sión Cohen, Mordechai Ashkenazi, Miro Yohoros
Salterio is the former CEO of HSBC Panama and his famous banking career has been attracting clients to Unibank long before it was open. In 1973 he started Marine Midland Bank in Panama. It operated successfully for 30 years before it was converted to the HSBC Bank Panama, where Salterio was the CEO until May 2008. He is a reputable and recognized figure and is often sought out for financial and banking advice. An advocate (as much as a creator) of Panama's solid and robust financial system, he also authors pieces on the subject of banking and economy in the region.
Management team
Rafael Reyes Esquivel: Executive Vice President and General Manager; Belisario Castillo: Legal Vice President; Rolando Olaciregui: Finance Vice President; Víctor Mojica Caballero: Treasury Vice President; Jaime Vásquez: Vice President of Technology, Innovation and Operations; Maribel de Garuz: Vice President of Risks; Alfonso Burillo: Vice President of Corporate Banking; Johann Gamboa: Vice President of Private Banking; Jenny Cruz: Vice President of Personal Banking
Services offered:
Private Banking
Personal Banking
Treasury and Investment
Corporate Banking
Unibank has an "aggressive growth plan, offers first rate service and a technology platform unlike any other in Panama." Unibank describes itself as having the highest "Corporate Government" standards, valuing the support of the board of directors, a strict code of conduct, an effective anti-laundering program and ongoing training at all levels of the organization. Initial capital is $50 million.
Fair on the Causeway
Biomuseo celebrates Biodiversity Day
Look for the unique architectural design of the Biomuseo on the Amador Causeway.The Biomuseo is currently under construction on the Amador Causeway, but it is already celebrating International Biodiversity day with an outdoor fair called "El Suelo Está Vivo" (The Ground is Alive) on Sunday, May 22 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Entrance is free. Activities include the discovering the secret lives of ants, learning how worms make dirt, painting using colours found in nature and "bicho" (bug) storytelling.
There will also be an organic market with different products including foodstuffs and personal care products.
Do you believe in coincidence?
Panamanian photographer Javier Gomez meets Bill Clinton in New York City
Former US President Bill Clinton receives a photograph by and from Panamanian photographer Javier Gomez in New York just days after Magic Dreams Productions announced that Clinton will give a lecture in Panama City in June. Both men share a vision of global connection.Javier Gomez, a Panamanian photographer living in Manhattan, met former US President Bill Clinton at a party last week, just a few days after the announcement that Clinton will present a lecture in Panama City on June 4. “I don’t believe in coincidences,” said Javier, “We chatted for a few minutes and I know that he is going to bring a great vibe and message to Panama. His message is actually similar to the inspiration behind my art.”
A former Wilhelmina Panama Talents model and Copa Airlines flight attendant, Javier moved to New York in 2004. Having worked on the other side of the lens, he says, makes him extra critical of his own photographs. Though his subjects are seldom human, he says his inspiration has long been to “capture balance and aesthetics in order to appeal to a universal audience.”
Javier knew Clinton would be in attendance at the celebration, so he selected one of his most prized photographs, dedicated it to the former president and took the opportunity to gift it to the former president at the party.
“It was a big day for me,” said Javier, “Clinton’s presidency was personally inspiring to me and I am very proud as an artist and as a Panamanian for having now the honor to have him as a collector.”
Javier studied photography at New York University and with famous fashion photographer Steven Klein. His work is driven by his keen eye for symmetry, serenity and “a thread that connects us all as people.”
Javier currently has limited pieces at Mali Chic House of Living on Calle 50 at Calle 70 in Plaza Sonoma. Mali Chic has a second location in Boquete, Ave. Principal Alto.
Visit www.javiergomezstudio.com.
Isthmian Update
Some of the news in Panama
MEF reviews plan
The Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) is reshaping the investment plan, and updating the revenue and expenditure projections "to include the additional investments that have been raised," said MEF Minister Alberto Vallarino.
Metro dig on Trasistmica
Traffic is being diverted around Plaza Agora, as the Trasistmica Highway is partially closed due to work on building the northern trench of the Metro.
Minimum wage talks
The Ministry of Labor announced the formation of a working group to review the current wage table in Panama.
Trade negotiations with EFTA
The Deputy International Trade Negotiator, Francisco Alvarez De Soto, visited Switzerland to start trade negotiations with member countries of the European Free Trade Association.
Journalists on trial
Journalists Eduardo Lim Yueng, Siria Miranda and Kelineth Pérez will go on trial July 25 accused of libel and slander by an official of the Traffic Operations Division of the National Police Force. The reporters played a video in 2010, in which the officer spent time talking to a driver stopped for committing an offense.
Drug bust count
There were 125 tons of drug seizures made by the Panamanian authorities between January 1, 2009 and March 31, 2011, according to Integrated Criminal statistics.
Labor party - Frenadesco
The formation of a labor party, a project promoted by the National Front for the Defense of Economic and Social Rights (Frenadeso) begins to echo in various labor sectors. Leaders of groups are aware that in order to come to power they must be united.
Trade deal could revive US
'Trade Adjustment Assistance'
The US government will determine the presentation to Congress of three free trade agreements pending with Colombia, Panama and South Korea to renew a program of assistance to those affected by these pacts. The program, known as Aid for Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA), aims to help workers and farmers hurt by trade treaties.
Tourism quality control
The Panama Tourism Authority (ATP) will convene a public tender to choose the company that will have the task of granting certification to tourism companies that meet quality standards.
Dell job fair
Dell Panama held a job fair at the Marriot Courtyard Hotel at Multiplaza Mall to seek personnel in finance, marketing, tech support and human resources.