For Corey Prinz, one of the best parts of banking is getting out of his office to visit his clients. So, when he received a private banking referral last summer, he took the opportunity to meet the owners of a commercial real estate company at their Long Island headquarters. 

“They were thrilled that they got to talk to a real person, and I had the opportunity to learn more about their business and even meet their dogs,” says Corey, BankUnited Senior Vice President of Commercial Private Banking. The visit was well worth the effort—and not just because Corey is a dog person. 

The company owners appreciated Corey’s visit, and they were able to show him their business and ask him questions. Since then, the company has moved their relationship to BankUnited, and Corey regularly talks with the owners and leadership.

The family-owned commercial real estate company manages dozens of offices and industrial properties on Long Island. The family has operated the company for three generations, and they pride themselves on the personal service they offer their tenants. However, the service was far from personal when it came to their previous bank. 

“They were frustrated because when they tried to contact people there, they would get routed through an 800 number,” Corey says. “They could never reach anyone.” 

The company had no significant problems, but its frustration with their previous bank peaked in early 2023 after the collapse of various large banks. The company owners had questions and wanted reassurance from their bankers that everything was safe and sound, but no one returned their call. 

Shortly after, the company owners showed up at a BankUnited branch on Long Island, interested in making a change. They were referred to Corey and his team for commercial private banking services by an existing BankUnited client. Corey contacted them the same day and visited their business with a Treasury Management representative two days later. 

The owners were interested in the Bank’s online services, wires, fraud protection, remote scanning, and more. However, they were primarily interested in getting to know the bankers and understanding how to reach them when needed. 

“We had a great conversation,” Corey said. “They were so appreciative we came out—a banker hadn’t been to see them in years.”

Corey started his career in fine dining and had no plans of changing directions until a regular customer, a banking executive, recruited him. “He said that while I didn’t have much experience in banking, I did have a lot of experience with people,” Corey joked. 

Corey has nearly two decades of banking experience, and his love of people still stands out. “I love small businesses and meeting small business owners,” he says. “I want to be part of the community and help whenever possible.” 

One of his most powerful memories is working as a banker during Hurricane Sandy in 2012. As the New York area dealt with the storm and its aftermath, Corey and his colleagues posted up in their office, helping clients process important wires and keep funds flowing through their businesses at a critical time. 

“We do a lot to help our clients, but I think at the core, the most important thing is that they know they can pick up the phone and call us,” Corey said. “They know who we are, and they know that we care.” 

That’s the case with the real estate company. The controller talks with Corey or his team monthly, and Corey has visited them multiple times since that first trip. The company owners know they have a banking partner on their team and that Corey will be with them for the long haul. 

“At this point, I think even the company dogs know who we are,” he says. “It’s a pretty great relationship.”

Connect with BankUnited to learn more about how our Commercial Private Banking team can partner with your business.