News Release

Four New Branches Opening before the End of the Year to Total 17 New Locations in 2011

MIAMI LAKES, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 19, 2011-- On track to open 17 new branches in 2011, BankUnited (NYSE: BKU), headquartered in Miami Lakes, Fla., crowns a year of exceptional growth by launching four new locations before the end of the year.

"We are aggressively building BankUnited," said BankUnited Chairman President and CEO John Kanas. "We plan to grow as Florida's economy continues to rebound and have made commercial lending a primary focus."

BankUnited is the second largest depository institution in Florida based on assets and, for the nine months ended September 30, 2011, new loans increased at an annualized growth rate of 180 percent.

With year end branch openings in Tampa, Orlando, Boca Raton and West Palm Beach, BankUnited provides a wide range of commercial and consumer banking services in 14 Florida counties more than 90 branch locations. Earlier this year, BankUnited completed a $9 million refurbishment that included a physical overhaul of its branches as well as a brand new logo and signage.

Recognition BankUnited has received during 2011 includes topping the FDIC list of most profitable banks in Florida, earning two consecutive five-star ratings from Bauer Financial in its first evaluation opportunities since the bank was established and being named sixth on a national performance ranking of the largest U.S. publicly traded banks and thrifts by Bank Director magazine.

Since November 7, BankUnited has expanded to open the following branches:

To locate a branch or for additional information, call (877) 779-2265 or visit www.BankUnited.com.

Source: BankUnited

BankUnited
Mary Harris, 305-817-8117
MHarris@BankUnited.com
or
Maria Pierson, 954-776-1999 ext. 222
mpierson@piersongrant.com