Eurico Castro Alves

Fernando Jorge Silva

Fernando Teles

Chairman Bord of Directors of Banco BIC

Fernando Mendes Teles is one of doyens of Angolan banking. Despite having been born in Alvarenga, Arouca, Portugal, he has dual nationality. After all, he has now lived 35 years in Angola and 31 years in Portugal. He has a degree in business organisation and management from the Instituto Universitário de Lisboa (Portugal) and a bachelor's degree in accounting and administration from the Instituto Superior de Contabilidade e Administração de Lisboa. His name is closely linked to Banco BIC, as he was its founder and the first person to head it, from 2005 to 2018. Previously he was in charge of Banco De Fomento Angola, from 1992 to 2005. His CV also includes the position of director and executive of the national development banks, BPI, Borges & Irmão and Banco de Crédito Comercial e Industrial, from 1966 to 1992. Manager, partner and accountant of several companies throughout his life, he has been following his passion for agriculture in recent years, working on his farm in Angola. Even today he can’t go without reading the newspapers every day. And fishing is now one of his hobbies of choice.

BIC is one of the great pillars in Angola, why?

Banco BIC is one of the main Angolan banks, and is the private bank with the largest commercial network with 227 branches, presence in every province, and 2060 employees.

You have been in the banking world for some years, but you also have other activities apart from this one. Which are they?

I must be the doyen of bank workers in Angola, as I started working in banking in 1966, that’s already 52 years. As an entrepreneur I have also invested in agriculture, livestock, construction, etc.

You said in a recent interview that the Portuguese are the ideal partners for Angolans. How could the two countries strengthen their ties even more, in order to create lasting partnerships?

Angola and Portugal have every interest in strengthening their economic relations. The same language; entrepreneurs’ knowledge of the countries; and a relationship lasting centuries have all contributed to this.

«At 66 I’m getting more and more busy, but I am already more selective of what I want to do!»

You are passionate about agriculture, and have already done a lot of work in Angola. Will Angola’s future involve working the land in your opinion?

Agriculture and agro-industry is an essential part of Angola's future development, as few countries in the world have Angola’s climate and water conditions.

Is it harder to work with the land or work with money?

They are different sectors, but either of them needs planning and management.

Can you tell us about the agricultural projects you are already developing on your farm? And what new ideas do you still need to implement?

There are sectors that are up and running: corn, soy, rice, pigs, confinement of cattle and feed and flour industries. The preparation of the land and plants, the production of coffee, are in the initial phase.

What hobbies do you have that help you to unwind from the stress of everyday life?

My hobbies are the economy, financial and social newspapers, fishing, horses and the keeping abreast of non-banking industries.

Are you a busier man today than you were a few years ago?

At 66 I’m getting more and more busy, but I am already more selective of what I want to do!

6 September 2018

T. Editorial Team