OREANDA-NEWS. Fitch Ratings today announces the appointment of Alejandro Garcia, Managing Director, as Analytical Head of Latin American Financial Institutions, effective immediately. He succeeds Franklin Santarelli, who will remain with Fitch until year-end. Mr. Garcia will report to David Weinfurter, global head of Fitch's Financial Institutions Group.

In his new role, Mr. Garcia oversees Fitch's ratings and research of financial institutions throughout Latin America. During his 17-year tenure at the agency, he has overseen bank ratings in a number of Latin American countries, most recently managing the local analytical groups covering financial institutions in Mexico, Chile, Argentina, and Uruguay.

'Alejandro's extensive experience in the local markets makes him well positioned to ensure that Fitch's financial institutions group continues to provide the local knowledge and global perspective that market participants know us for throughout the region,' says David Weinfurter. 'We thank Franklin for his 18 years of dedication and the key role he has played in further developing Fitch's presence in Latin America.'

Mr. Garcia holds a BA in Economics from the Monterrey Institute of Technology and has been a CFA charter holder since 2008.

Veronica Chau, Senior Director, will succeed Mr. Garcia as country head of Financial Institutions in Mexico, and will be one of the group's three regional coordinators in Latin America, responsible for Mexico and the Southern Cone countries (Chile, Argentina and Uruguay). Monica Ibarra, Director, succeeds Veronica, looking after non-bank financial institutions ratings in Mexico.

The other two regional coordinator roles in Latin American Financial Institutions remain unchanged, with Claudio Gallina, Senior Director, heading Fitch's financial institutions group in Brazil, and Rene Medrano, Senior Director, responsible for Andean countries, Central American and the Caribbean.