Leonard 'Lenny' L. Abess Jr. is an American businessman, the self-made billionaire Former Chairman and CEO of City National Bank of Florida. His career is rooted in banking and philanthropic commitment, which made global headlines.

Abess graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a B.A. in History. His career began in the family business, which was founded by his grandfather in 1946 (one of the oldest financial institutions in South Florida). His philosophy centers on social responsibility, ethical capitalism, and sharing success with employees.

• City National Bank of Florida (Former Chairman & CEO): The core private asset, one of the largest and oldest financial institutions in South Florida (sold to Banco de Crédito e Inversiones (BCI) for $882 million in 2008).
• Philanthropic Apex: He famously gave away over $60 million to all 389 employees of his bank upon the sale in 2008 (averaging $150,000 per employee).
• Ethical Capitalism: He received the Presidential Citizens Medal in 2009 for his philanthropic act (presented by President Barack Obama).
• Investment Strategy: His success is built on disciplined growth and community banking principles.

Leonard Abess's strategic leadership involved guiding City National Bank of Florida through decades of steady growth, maintaining its reputation as a community-focused financial institution. The pinnacle of his career came in 2008 when he orchestrated the $882 million sale of the bank to Chile's BCI. Following the sale, Abess executed a historic philanthropic act: he gave away $60 million to all 389 bank employees (from tellers to custodians), averaging $150,000 per employee.

His structural contribution is tied to his ethical business practices and his belief that employees should directly benefit from the success of the company (a major model for stakeholder capitalism). He was awarded the Presidential Citizens Medal in 2009. His wealth is secured by the colossal capital gains from the bank sale and his ongoing private investments.

Leonard Abess's social impact is massive and structural, tied to his unprecedented $60 million gift to his employees, which provided a major, highly visible example of stakeholder capitalism and wealth distribution. His act profoundly influenced the national conversation about corporate responsibility.

His structural contribution is tied to his belief in community banking and his influential role in civic affairs (serving on the board of Florida International University). His personal philanthropy supports various community and educational initiatives.

Leonard Abess maintains the professional, approachable style of a community banker. His attire is consistently formal and high-quality, favoring tailored suits. His aesthetic reflects stability and integrity, typical of a leader committed to ethical business practices.

Residing in Miami, Florida, his luxury is the immense security and financial reward derived from his multi-billion dollar fortune. His life is dedicated to investment strategy, community service, and philanthropy.