Celebrating the Life of Robert J. Samuels
The Urban Financial Services Coalition Celebrates the Life of Robert J. Samuels.
Robert J. Samuels was a pioneer in the financial services industry and founding President of the Urban Financial Services Coalition (formerly known as the National Association of Urban Bankers).
Born in Philadelphia, PA, Samuels overcame poverty, racism and bigotry to create a successful career in the financial services industry. He began his banking career in 1964 at First Pennsylvania Bank and in 1969, 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.
Mr. Samuels moved to Tampa, FL in 1992 and in 1994, he founded the Tampa Bay Men’s Cancer Task Force. In 1996, he served as the Founding Chairman for the National Prostate Cancer Coalition. The following year, he was appointed to the National Cancer Institute’s Prostate Cancer Progress Review Group. In 1998, he served as a member of the U.S. Army’s Prostate Cancer Research Panel and was appointed to the Florida Prostate Cancer Task Force. During this period, he also founded the Florida Prostate Cancer Network (FPCN). Today, FPCN serves as a model prostate cancer state coalition recognized by numerous agencies including the Florida Legislature, the Florida Department of Health and the Florida Agency for Healthcare Administration.
Mr. Samuels died on November 18, 2012.