Remembrances
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From George Reeves: I worked closely, and happily, with Augusto in my Western Hemisphere Caribbean, Central America group from 1983 to 1988 and when I retired in 1988 the Miami Regional office was closed and Augusto left Chase shortly thereafter. We know he initially joined Chase many years earlier in Puerto Rico where we participated as an instructor in the credit training area in San Juan where he also studied for his BA in Finance at the University of Puerto Rico. When Augusto left Chase in 1990ish, he joined Commercebank, NA, in Miami, bank which was minority owned though a holding Company by Chase until Chase divested completely in 1989, prior to Augusto signing on, and he became Executive Vice President for asset quality until he retired from Commercebank in 2007. My window with Augusto extended over five years in Miami during which time he served as senior officer of the Chase branches in the Bahamas as well as senior credit officer for the Caribbean/Central America and Panama.
From Leslie Lassiter: I worked very closely with Augusto from 1982 until 1985 while I was assigned to the French West Indies as the Credit Officer for the islands. Functionally Augusto was my supervisor based in Miami. He and I inherited a portfolio of problem credits, operational problems and the remains of a kiting scheme involving several of our clients and the French government!!!! His guidance and moral support were critical to my success as a young officer abroad for the first time. His sense of humor got me through many a tough time. He was a wonderful man and mentor who I remember very fondly. Rest In Peace, Augusto.
From Alfredo Salazar: Augusto Sigarreta, a native of Cuba, graduated from the University of Puerto Rico at the top of his class and soon thereafter joined the Chase Credit Training Program in Puerto Rico. He held several positions in the Miami Office of Chase-Caribbean and when I arrived as Country Manager of Puerto Rico in 1979, he was transferred to Puerto Rico as Senior Credit Officer. Augusto was smart, reliable, dependable, and trustworthy. He understood that, at the time, lending was a principal service to our customers and he assisted relationship managers in structuring transactions. Augusto was a seasoned credit officer, contributing in a major way to making Chase the premier bank in Puerto Rico. Talked to Luis Beauchamp who was a teammate and close friend of Augusto and shares my views. He saw him on several occasions in Miami after retiring from Chase. We all have fond memories of Augusto Sigarreta. May he rest in peace.
In Memoriam:
Augusto J. Sigarreta, 78
Augusto J. Sigarreta, 78, who worked for Chase in Western Hemisphere Caribbean in the 1980s, died on November 2, 2019 in Miami.
Born in Santiago de Cuba, Sigarreta left Cuba with his family in 1951 for San Juan, Puerto Rico, where he graeduated summa cum laude with a degree in Business Administration from La Universidad de Puerto Rico. He had a distinguished career in banking that spanned more than 50 years, both in the United States and internationally.
He is survived by his wife of 21 years, Maria Sigarreta, three daughters and seven grandchildren. Memorial donations should mbe directed to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation at app.mobilecause.com/vf/PFFTribute/AugustoSigarreta.