Early Life
Fernando Roberto Moreira Salles was born in Rio de Janeiro in 1946. He is the son of Walther Moreira Salles, the founder of Unibanco, and Helène Matarazzo. His family has a long history in banking, dating back to the Casa Bancária Moreira Salles, founded by his grandfather. His father was also a Brazilian ambassador to the United States.
Rise to Success
Fernando Roberto Moreira Salles, along with his brothers, inherited significant stakes in Itaú Unibanco and CBMM. In 2008, Unibanco merged with Banco Itaú, creating Itaú Unibanco, the largest private sector bank in Latin America. The Moreira Salles family also holds significant stakes in Companhia Brasileira de Metalurgia e Mineração (CBMM), the world's leading supplier of niobium.
Key Business Strategies
Fernando's success is attributed to his keen decision-making skills and business acumen. He has been instrumental in expanding the family's business interests, particularly in Itaú Unibanco. The family also diversified its investments by maintaining a controlling interest in CBMM, positioning themselves in the forefront of global sustainability and innovation.
Philanthropy
The Moreira Salles family, including Fernando, has been involved in numerous philanthropic initiatives. They are committed to improving education, healthcare, and social equality in Brazil. While specific details of Fernando's philanthropic activities are not widely publicized, his alignment with the family's broader mission of social responsibility is evident. He supports initiatives through various charitable foundations.
