Urban Financial Services Coalition, formerly
known as National Association of Urban Bankers, mourns of the death of its
founding President Robert J. Samuels. Mr. Samuels, a pioneer in the financial
services industry, died on November 18, 2012.
The visitation will be held on Sunday, November
25, 2012 at 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. The home going service will be held on Monday,
November 26, 2012 at 11:00 am. Both services will take place at Beulah Baptist
Church, 1006 West Cypress ST, Tampa, FL 33606. Condolences can be sent to his
wife, Mrs. Lillie Samuels at 4619 Fairway DR, Tampa, FL 33603.
Born in Philadelphia, PA, Mr. Samuels overcame
poverty, racism and bigotry to create a successful career in the financial
services industry, an organization for the development of minority financial
professionals and organizations to fight prostate cancer.
Mr. Samuels began his banking career in 1964 at
First Pennsylvania Bank and in 1969, he moved to New York City and joined
Manufacturers Hanover Bank's Commercial Lending Training Program. He attended
the American Institute of Banking, New York Institute of Credit and graduated
from Rutgers University's Stonier Graduate School of Banking. Mr. Samuels
retired in 1992 as Vice President of the Global Financial Institutions Group, a
division of Manufacturers Hanover's Corporate Banking and International Sector
(JPMorgan Chase).
Mr. Samuels was also the founding president of
the New York City Urban Bankers Coalition. In 1984, the National Association of
Urban Bankers honored him by renaming the "Outstanding Banker of the Year
Award" to the "Robert J. Samuels Founder's Award". In 1998, the
Urban Bankers Coalition further honored him by having his likeness placed in
the Baltimore Great Blacks in Wax Museum. In December of that year, he was also
inducted into the Black Hall of Fame in Philadelphia.
