Florida has long been a land of dreams and dreamers—a place where people come to build, grow, and reimagine what’s possible. For Chirag Bhavsar, President and CEO of Cogent Bank, that spirit isn’t just positioning—it’s personal. In this conversation, he shares how his family’s journey to America, his leadership philosophy, and his long-term vision are helping reshape what banking looks like for businesses across the state.

Access to Capital Is Personal

“America is built on small businesses, and small businesses are built on access to capital.”

To Chirag Bhavsar, those aren’t just words—it’s part of his DNA. At 10 years old his family immigrated to the United States with the proverbial “couple hundred dollars and a dream.” What changed the trajectory of their lives was a loan from a bank manager who was willing to listen, to understand their vision, and believe in their ability to succeed. That loan allowed his parents, Jashvant and Ranjan Bhavsar to buy a small 15-room motel in Ocala, where the lessons of entrepreneurship, hard work, and hospitality were learned. Years later, that story has come full circle.

“What we’re doing at Cogent is bringing back that access to capital, at scale,” Chirag Bhavsar says. “Many banks have gotten away from how capital is actually made available to growing businesses. We’re here to change that.”

From commercial real estate lending to SBA and USDA programs and specialized financing based on inventory or receivables, Cogent makes tools typically associated with much larger institutions available to the kinds of businesses that often get overlooked. For Chirag and his team, it’s not about being the biggest bank. It’s about being the right one for their clients.

Built to Grow with You

Cogent Bank wasn’t built to flip or sell—it was built to stay. And that makes all the difference in how it serves its clients.

“There’s a fundamental difference in how you treat a business when you’re building it to last,” Chirag Bhavsar explains. “When your goal is to sell quickly, you make different decisions—decisions that don’t always put the client first. But when you intend to be your client’s banker five, ten, even twenty years from now, you operate with a longer horizon.”

That mindset shows up in the way Cogent approaches access to capital. Rather than focusing solely on mature or high-revenue businesses, Cogent has built infrastructure to support growing companies, providing tools and programs typically reserved for larger clients.

“We don’t think of SBA or USDA lending as ‘starter’ programs,” Chirag Bhavsar says. “They’re just smart, effective tools that help businesses move forward on their own terms. Whether a company is dealing with seasonality, cash flow gaps, or trying to expand operations, we offer solutions that fit—and we do it with fewer fees, faster timelines, and more flexibility than most alternatives.”

More importantly, Cogent’s model isn’t about helping clients grow so they can be passed off to a bigger bank. It’s about helping them achieve their own goals—and retaining those relationships by continuing to offer better support and solutions along the way.

“If we’re doing our job right,” Chirag Bhavsar adds, “our clients won’t outgrow us. They’ll grow with us.”

A Bank Designed for Execution

Cogent Bank is entrepreneurial by design, and that starts at the top. Chirag Bhavsar has shaped a bank where execution happens close to the client, not in a far-off corporate tower. Under his leadership, Cogent’s structure prioritizes speed, clarity, and local authority.

“Our philosophy is to understand the competition, then design a better product, service, and experience,” Chirag says. “And then market that advantage in a way that actually reaches business owners.”

Chirag has assembled a leadership team that shares his mindset, many of whom he’s worked with for years. That familiarity fuels both consistency and collaboration, creating a culture where teams move fast and stay focused on swift decisions and their clients’ long-term goals.

“My philosophy has always been—hire good people and get out of their way,” Chirag says. “If everyone understands the mission, you don’t need ten layers of approvals to do the right thing.”

Success Isn’t Just About Numbers

Ask Chirag how he evaluates success, and the answer isn’t just about performance metrics.

“Of course I’m going to be judged on numbers, and that is fine – we have those” he says. “For me, success also means clients feel supported, associates feel respected, and fairness guides every decision. Fairness is non-negotiable.”

He continues, “Not everything we do will make everyone happy, but the one thing you can count on is that we’ll be fair. If people feel respected, they’re more likely to also be happy—and that’s how I measure whether we’re doing things right.”

This balanced approach helps shape a culture where high performance is matched by integrity and trust. It’s a leadership style that places long-term relationships over short-term wins and makes room for both growth and goodwill.

Why Long-Term Relationships Matter

Chirag sees banking as a relationship business. That philosophy is embedded in how Cogent serves clients through quarterly relationship reviews, collaborative business planning, and proactive support.

“We want our clients to think of us the same way they think about their CPA or attorney,” he says. “We’re part of their trusted network.”

This approach aligns directly with Cogent’s core company objectives: to be Responsive, Flexible, and Innovative for their clients and their surrounding community.

“We’re not trying to be the best bank in Florida,” Chirag Bhavsar says. “We’re trying to be the best bank for each individual client and business we serve.”

Back to the Beginning

For Chirag Bhavsar, the work he’s doing today at Cogent Bank is rooted in a story that began decades ago, with two parents who left everything behind in India for the chance to build something new.

“My parents were the real risk takers,” he says. “They gave up their careers, their community, and their comfort to come here with nothing but belief. What changed our future wasn’t a handout—it was someone at a bank who took the time to listen. They saw potential in my parents’ vision and gave them a shot.”

That shot became a small motel in north central Florida. And eventually, a life built on entrepreneurship, resilience, and service values that now shape Chirag’s own vision for Cogent Bank.

“I’ll never forget what that one decision unlocked for our family,” he says. “That’s the kind of impact we want to make every day. Not just loans. Not just accounts. But belief—in people, in ideas, and in what’s possible.”

Disclaimer: The information contained herein is for informational/educational purposes only. The views and opinions expressed in this document may be those of the individuals and may not necessarily reflect those of Cogent Bancorp and its subsidiaries and affiliates, or the entities they may represent. Content contained herein may be used in connection with the advertising and/or marketing of products offered by Cogent Bank or Cogent Private Wealth. The material is not intended to provide or substitute for legal, tax, or financial advice or to indicate the availability or suitability of any Cogent Bank product or service. You should consult with a legal, financial, tax, or other appropriate professional(s) for your specific needs and/or objectives before making any decisions.