FDB Bids Farewell to CEO Following Nine Successful Years

Fiji Development Bank (FDB) bid farewell to its second longest serving Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Ratu Deve Toganivalu, at its headquarters and divisional offices this week.

In FDB’s 49th year anniversary as a development bank, Ratu Deve Toganivalu is retiring after serving in various roles for over 29 years of continuous service to the Bank.

Ratu Deve Toganivalu was accorded traditional Veiqaravi Vakavanua ceremonies by the Bank staff in Suva, Labasa and Lautoka to acknowledge his visionary leadership as CEO since he took office in October 2008. Ratu Deve Toganivalu, with 42 years of experience in development and commercial banking, said he was proud to see the Bank approaching its 50th anniversary as a healthier and a more robust development bank.

“When I joined FDB, some 30 years ago, what immediately impressed me was the intellect of the staff, their loyalty to the Bank, their togetherness and their passion for economic development,” he said at his farewell ceremony at the Albert Park in Suva.

“I am honored and privileged to have been given the opportunity of sharing the FDB legacy with you all, as a colleague and later serving as CEO,” he said to his management and staff.

He said the Bank’s performance is commendable today as a result of the hard work of his committed and insightful team and that management and staff must continue to support the new CEO in the era of a new dawn post the Bank’s 50th anniversary.
“The Bank is a key service provider to those Fijians who may not be able to access finances from other sources and this valuable role contributing to our economic development must always be embraced with pride by FDB staff,” said Mr. Toganivalu.
“I urge you all to continue your stewardship towards economic development with great enthusiasm and commitment,” he said.

Ratu Deve Toganivalu thanked the various Board Chairs and Members he had served with over the years and the line Ministers for their support in positioning FDB as one of the leading development banks in the region.

General Manager Business Risk Services, Nafitalai Cakacaka, speaking at the farewell said the leadership, commitment and the courage of the CEO has been exemplary.

“On behalf of the management and staff of FDB, we are grateful to you for your support and guidance to us as a leader and in a fatherly role to us all,” he said.

“The legacy you are leaving behind will be cherished and equally missed, as your strongest attribute as CEO has been the patience to listen and share your time with staff on business
and personal matters.” said Mr. Cakacaka.

He also spoke of the various best practice initiatives that Mr. Toganivalu strongly implemented and built capacity around.

“Our CEO has added value to the Bank’s vision of being a dynamic financial service provider in the development of Fiji by supporting the development of small and medium enterprises and by pushing for inclusion of financial education in schools by our Money Smart programme,” said Mr. Cakacaka

Ratu Deve Toganivalu joined FDB in 1987 as a Loans Officer and climbed up the ranks to the position of CEO in October 2008, prior to which he was the General Manager-New Business up to June 2008.

He has served in various positions including as Assistant Manager Industrial, Acting Manager Business Development and Manager Audit. From 1996 till 1999, Mr. Toganivalu managed the Nausori and Lautoka branches as Manager and in 2002 he served as General Manager Operations.

Mr. Toganivalu, while talking about his retirement plans, was mostly excited about spending quality time with his family, especially his grandchildren.