Rabobank has announced the appointment of Pollyana Saraiva as State Manager, Country Banking for Queensland.
Ms Saraiva replaces Brad James, who has been acting in the position, and is retiring after more than 20 years with the bank.
In this role, Ms Saraiva will be responsible for Rabobank’s rural banking operations across the state.
She joins from Rabobank’s Latin American business, where she has been Head of Rural Banking, based in São Paulo, for the past six years.
Announcing the appointment, Rabobank group executive for Country Banking Australia, Marcel van Doremaele said Ms Saraiva was a “seasoned leader, with a very strong background in – and commitment to – agribusiness and agricultural banking”.
“Pollyana brings nearly 30 years’ experience in financial services and food and agribusiness to the role,” he said. “She comes from an agricultural background and has extensive experience in supporting family farming enterprises that are active in a number of commodities including cotton, grains, soy and beef cattle.
“Pollyanna has a deep understanding of agriculture and the banking and financial needs of agricultural producers.”
Mr van Doremaele said in her previous role as Head of Rural Banking for Rabobank in South America, Ms Saraiva led Rabobank’s rural banking operations across Brazil, Argentina, Chile and Peru, managing a team of more than 200 people and overseeing a multi-billion client portfolio.
“Pollyanna’s experience will bring value and insights for our clients and for Rabobank’s business in Queensland and ultimately in contributing to a strong agricultural sector in the state,” he said.
Ms Saraiva joined Rabobank in 2007 and has worked in a variety of roles, including Regional Manager, Rabobank International Brazil, as well as first-hand client experience through positions including branch manager and relationship manager.
She previously spent nine years working for a large agribusiness corporation in credit roles.
She has a Bachelor of Business Administration/Management from the Federal University of Uberlandia (Brazil).
Ms Saraiva, who commenced in her new role this month, said she was excited to be taking on leadership of Rabobank’s operations in Queensland, “one of the important powerhouses of agriculture in Australia”, and saw parallels in opportunities and challenges between agriculture in the state and South America.
“I’m excited to continue the journey in Australia of adding value for our clients, and ultimately agribusiness, by helping contribute to strong farm businesses,” she said.
“Helping our clients achieve their aspirations, whether that’s to grow their business, invest in on-farm infrastructure to increase productivity, adopt efficiencies for a more sustainable business or ensure its viability for the next generation, it’s a privilege to be part of their story, and one we don’t take lightly.”
Ms Saraiva said agriculture and agribusiness had always been part of her life.
“I’m the daughter of an agronomist and spent my childhood at my family’s farm. The country and agriculture have always been my passion,” she said.
“For me, working in agribusiness is not just a career, it’s part of my life – I work from the heart, and I think that’s the real key to success.”
Mr van Doremaele thanked the “massive contributions” made by Brad James and former North Queensland regional manager Trent McIndoe in their leadership of the business in Queensland over recent years.
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About us:
Rabobank Australia & New Zealand Group is a part of the international Rabobank Group, the world’s leading specialist in food and agribusiness banking. Rabobank has more than 125 years’ experience providing customised banking and finance solutions to businesses involved in all aspects of food and agribusiness. Rabobank is structured as a cooperative and operates in 38 countries, servicing the needs of more than nine million clients worldwide through a network of more than 1000 offices and branches. Rabobank Australia & New Zealand Group is one of Australasia’s leading agricultural lenders and a significant provider of business and corporate banking and financial services to the region’s food and agribusiness sector. The bank has 87 branches throughout Australia and New Zealand.