ABN Amro has re-opened its São Paulo representative office following the bank’s merger with Fortis Bank Nederland.

The office will support the bank’s commodity financing activities in the Brazilian and South American markets, and as such will be occupied by staff within the energy, commodities and transportation (ECT) division, with an with initial focus on metals and agri-commodities.

Fausto Caron has been appointed as head of commodities, Brazil and brings with him almost 10 years of experience in commodities, and more specifically in energy commodities.

Caron will be joined by Victor Carneiro and Fabio Vernille, who will both join the agri-commodities team. Both Carneiro and Vernille have significant experience in lending, capital markets and investment banking in the Brazilian agricultural commodities field.

Harris Antoniou, managing director of ECT comments: “Re-establishing the Brazilian rep office is part of a wider initiative of the bank to its global ECT branch network. In all ECT sectors Brazil is an important player. We are proud to be able to be of service again to our Brazilian clients.”

Rick Torken, country executive, Brazil and global head of ECT agri-commodities adds: “We are very excited about this important step in the reconstruction of our international network. ABN Amro has had a successful presence in Brazil since 1916. Today, economic stability combined with competitive cost advantages has made Brazil a global force in agricultural commodities, iron ore, steel, non-ferrous metals and recently oil and gas production.”