ING Bank has appointed Crina Nechifor as its new head of natural resources (NR), structured metals and energy finance (SMEF) in Frankfurt.

An ING spokesperson reveals to GTR that Nechifor will oversee a team of people whose aim will be to “develop a sector-based structured finance platform in Germany” that will be integral to the bank’s structured finance organisation globally.

Nechifor has over 20 years of experience in commodity financing. She began her career at ING in 1994 in Romania and spent the following 17 years working for the bank as an executive in a number corporate banking capacities.

In 2001, Nechifor moved to ING’s head office in Amsterdam, where increasingly she focussed on specialist financing for commodities in Eastern Europe.

Before her most recent appointment, Nechifor spent three years working with Russian mining company Mechel, becoming head of corporate finance. She will report to head of sector-based structured finance at ING, Michael Zander.

Commenting on Nechifor’s appointment, Zander says: “We intend to further enhance our capabilities in the areas of NR and SMEF in Frankfurt with additional hires. It is part of our strategy to advance our products and services for ING’s worldwide customer base.”

“We never lost sight of Crina even during her time with Mechel. I am delighted that we are able to reinforce our team in Frankfurt with such an experienced colleague.”