Caixa president is fried after being charged for Pix – 06/23/2023 – Market

The president of Caixa Econômica Federal, Rita Serrano, became the target of criticism from members of the government and allies of President Lula (PT) after the announcement considered haphazardly charging tariffs on transfers via Pix made by legal entities.

According to interlocutors, Minister Fernando Haddad (Finance) was one of those who were upset when he heard about the measure from the press. Although adopted by other banking institutions, the decision surprised the economic team and was suspended by Lula’s determination.

In the opinion of collaborators of the president, the date of the announcement should have been debated in the government and anticipated by a campaign of clarification. The ad fueled criticism from Bolsonaristas on the networks.

The episode brought to light dissatisfaction with Serrano’s performance in both the political and trade union circles, one of the mainstays of the PT.

Within the government, there are complaints about the pace at which resources are released to meet projects and sponsorships, in addition to resistance to demands from politicians.

The reported delay in the approval of projects has affected, in the opinion of members of the government, the rhythm of programs identified as essential for the recovery of the economy.

In the words of a minister, Caixa’s performance falls short of what is expected from the role of a public bank as an inducer of economic growth in Brazil.

The maintenance of nominees by Bolsonaristas in leadership positions has also been the subject of complaints among the PT members themselves, who have bank employees in their electoral base.

People heard by Sheet claim that, six months after the beginning of the government, the president of Caixa seems to be lost in office. She would face difficulties in interlocution with other folders and also in appointing leadership positions.

Servers complain that names from the management of the former president of Caixa Pedro Guimarães, appointed by Jair Bolsonaro (PL) and who left office after allegations of moral and sexual harassment were publicized by the press, remain in these functions.

There are reports that employees would still be suffering moral harassment from occupants of command chairs.

In the Information Technology area, for example, the national IT superintendent, Elisabeth da Silva, the IT architecture superintendent, Darlan Lins, and the national IT production manager, Washington Siqueira, were in charge.

Meanwhile, in the same area, the president of Caixa had difficulty in placing names indicated by her management. For Caixa’s IT Services Executive Board area, George Washington Menezes only took office on June 20.

A Caixa employee since 1989, Serrano would be more dedicated to the bank’s “kitchen”, being sensitive to the institution’s internal demands. The bank’s new slogan (“It’s for you; it’s for a new Brazil”), defined in April, was only submitted to the government’s Secom (Secretariat for Social Communication) after it was ready. Just approved without change.

Defenders of Serrano remember, on the other hand, that she acted as an inspector during the Guimarães administration and that, as president of the bank, she could not disrespect the norms for which she fought during the last government.

Pointed out as rigid, Serrano defends respect for the rite set for appointments and has already stated, in a speech, that it would not be based on revanchism, nor would it allow a blackout in the bank, nor would it reproduce the methods of Bolsonaristas.

In his defense, allies also claim that Serrano has already served 42 politicians, including 17 federal deputies, six senators and four governors. She met directly with 13 ministers.

Under his command, 74 rooms were reopened to serve politicians. Located in Caixa units in 49 municipalities, these spaces are reserved both for reception of parliamentarians and representatives of the Executive and for clarifying projects.

Serrano has the support of Caixa employees. In 2017, she —who asks to be treated as president— was elected for the first time by employees to occupy a seat on the Board of Directors. In 2022, she was re-elected for the third term, in the first round, with 91% of the valid votes.

Between 2006 and 2012, he was president of the ABC Paulista Bank Workers Union. She was deputy mayor of Rio Grande da Serra (from 2001 to 2004) during the administration of Ramón Velasquez (PT).

According to PT members, his name has the support of former PT treasurer João Vaccari Neto, who is also a banker, in addition to ABC union leaders.

Pix’s charge announcement was suspended, but the bank did not discard the measure. In a note, Caixa stated that the suspension “aims to extend the period so that customers can adapt and receive extensive clarification from the bank on the subject, given the proliferation of untrue content that generated speculation”.

Minister Rui Costa (Casa Civil) stated that the suspension of the charge was a request by Lula himself.

After talking to Serrano, Costa said that the president of Caixa did not expect the measure to have such an impact, even because it had already been adopted by other banks.

“I said: ‘look, Caixa has a popularity that no other bank in Brazil has, so let’s wait for the president’s return for us to evaluate this measure, in what period of time to take it, under what conditions to take it’. This will be reassessed”, said the minister.

When contacted, Caixa stated that the selection process for occupying positions follows the law and established criteria. “The selection of directors meets control parameters that go through all the governance provided for in the legislation […] which deals, among other topics, with requirements and prohibitions for the exercise of the position”, he says.

With regard to the advertising campaign, it says that it complies with the 2022 decree of the Ministry of Communications.

In addition, he says that, with the objective of boosting business and supporting the execution of the government’s public policies, this year he reactivated the service rooms for cities and states to offer specialized technical support to public managers.

“Caixa has a specific area for institutional assistance to parliamentarians, responding to requests for hearings, articulating and defending the bank’s interests before the Legislature”, says the bank.