Alfred R. Camner, Chairman, Announces Retirement

BankUnited Financial Corporation (NASDAQ:BKUNA), parent company of BankUnited FSB (the bank), announced that its chairman and chief executive officer, Alfred R. Camner, is retiring today as an officer and director of the parent company and the bank.

Mr. Camner has been named founder and chairman emeritus in recognition of his central role in establishing and growing the bank.

Ramiro A. Ortiz, current president and chief operating officer, has been elected president and chief executive officer by the board of directors.

Additionally, the board has selected its vice-chairman, Lawrence H. Blum, as its new chairman, and board member Bradley S. Weiss, as its vice-chairman.

“Alfred Camner had a vision of how a bank with strong local roots and a commitment to its hometown could service customers better than its competitors, and he was right,” said Mr. Blum, the new chairman of the board.

“BankUnited is now known for unparalleled customer service as well as an abiding commitment to the communities in which we operate, and we owe Mr. Camner our deepest gratitude,” said Mr. Blum.

“Mr. Camner and the board concluded that it was the right time for the next generation of leadership to steer this institution, and we are delighted to have Ramiro Ortiz — one of the most highly regarded and respected bankers in the nation — become CEO,” added Mr. Blum.

Ramiro A. Ortiz has served as a director, president, and chief operating officer of both the bank and the parent company since 2002. He was previously chairman and chief executive officer of SunTrust Bank Miami.

“Mr. Camner has made innumerable contributions to BankUnited over the years, and we owe him a debt of gratitude,” said Mr. Ortiz.

“We will move BankUnited steadily ahead as a strong, independent company by continuing to do what we do best -- focus first on the needs of our customers,” said Mr. Ortiz. “We have confidence in our good position and solid business model, our management team is second to none, and we have the best and most talented group of employees in banking I’ve ever seen.”

Commenting on Mr. Camner, board member Allen M. Bernkrant, speaking for the entire board, noted that: “Mr. Camner is an exceptionally fine person who enjoys well-earned respect both inside and beyond BankUnited. His integrity, loyalty and dedication are unquestioned. All of us wish him the best in his well-deserved retirement.”

About BankUnited

BankUnited Financial Corp. is the holding company for BankUnited FSB, the largest banking institution headquartered in Florida.