Darío Castilla

CMS in the world and prospects for 2009

By: Silvina Virga, Content Manager, CMS Credit Management Solutions

I2C: Before beginning the interview, I would like you to tell us a bit about yourself and about your experience in the world of finance and the credit market.

I started work in the financial industry when I was 20 years old. In 1987 I joined Citibank Argentina. I participated in all operative and commercial tasks of a branch office and in 1991 at 25 years of age; I accepted my first management position.
As manager I directed various branches in the metropolitan area, and in 1996 I was in charge of the Mar del Plata branch and its area of influence.
As a regional manager of the rural area, I partook in the chores of opening branches, developing them and in moments of crisis, closing them and accommodating the roles in the different markets.
I was the regional manager for the rural branches of the country for Citi until 2003 when I took control of the Management of Distribution and Sales of the same bank, managing all branches, CitiGold centers and restructuring of all the sales channels.
I left Citi at the end of 2005 as director of Branches and Clients. Later, I worked with the Banco Hipotecario as an internal consultant in the area of clients, attention and sales models.

I2C: If you had to describe yourself in a few words, what would you say?
I would say that I was a general financial industry professional with a long history in the commercial sector.

I2C: What drove you to accept the position as Commercial Manager of CMS?
I have known CMS since their beginning, more than 10 years ago. I have seen them transform an ambitious project into a consistent, coherent and professional company that has stuck to their principle over time and different geographical locations. I believe in the growth of CMS and share in its values which remain intact.

I2C: What are the values that you propose to add to CMS as part of your incorporation to the firm?

I hope to contribute to keep the commercial dynamics of our organization, reinforce the obligations to our clients and attendees and transmit within and without an air of flexibility, adaptation, professional excellence and respect for the values that CMS stands for.

I2C: Tell us about your perspectives and expectations for 2009 and your vision of the financial market at a local and international level.

I think that this year will be one of rethinking, of opportunities after the crisis, of understanding how the changes happen in the world financial system and their impact on the each market. The banks and other generators of credit will try to understand, the best they can, what things to learn from over the last 10 or 15 years; what the new challenges are and what new prospective credit clients will be like. So, from CMS, we will try to share this new found knowledge, establish new and stronger networks between friends and present the opportunities that arise for each market. 

I2C: On top of being the Commercial Manager you have accepted the challenge of establishing CMS events in Spain. What are the main motives for which you are heading this project?

On top of my own ambitions, the unmatchable opportunities of sharing in this special moment, and the experiences and practices developed between banks and companies in Latin America and Spain.
The cultural links and histories allow for a completely natural flow of knowledge and learning. This is also done in an environment of financial business, the banking entities and the credit industry.