You could say Roberto Munoz is BBVA Compass’ “go-to guy” in South Florida. When the bank decided to break into the local market, they picked Mr. Munoz to head the company’s new Miami commercial banking office in the city’s high-profile financial district.

From his 20th-floor, glass-wall office overlooking Brickell Avenue, Mr. Munoz can survey a territory with which he is most familiar. In announcing in September that Mr. Munoz will lead the bank’s push into South Florida, the company cited his 30 years of domestic and foreign banking experience.

Before joining BBVA Compass, Mr. Munoz was executive vice president and chief lending officer for Professional Bank in Coral Gables. He also has held similar positions in Florida with Fuji Bank, Israel Discount Bank and Regions.

Mr. Munoz has an unpretentious and firm but pleasant demeanor.

“Miami is a competitive banking location,” he said. “The last couple of years, many banks…have been absorbed by other institutions. But, in general, Miami banks have done well. I think Miami banks continue to grow, as evidenced by banks coming to Miami like ourselves.”

Lee Smith, BBVA Compass eastern regional executive for commercial banking, said of Mr. Munoz: “He has a great understanding of the Miami banking and finance landscape and an appreciation for our strategic focus on high-growth markets.”

BBVA Compass ranks among the 20 largest US commercial banks, based on deposit market share and operates 716 branches in Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, New Mexico, and Texas. It is a subsidiary of Compass Bancshares Inc., which is a subsidiary of Spain-based international banking giant Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, or BBVA.

BBVA Compass was formed in early 2007, when BBVA announced it was acquiring Alabama-based Compass for cash and stock worth about $9.6 billion.

In 2008, BBVA announced that it was merging its three other US subsidiaries – The Laredo National Bank, State National Bank, and Texas State Bank – with Compass, creating what it called “the Sunbelt region’s largest financial institution.”

Today, Mr. Munoz continues working to expand that institution’s foothold in South Florida. He discussed his career, his company, and banking issues in his office with Miami Today reporter Scott Blake.