From April 2024, Merchant Finance Pte Limited (“Merchant Finance”) has been undergoing a strategic recruitment of key management positions, to bring to life their vision of being Fiji’s preferred financial services provider. This ended in January 2025 with the onboarding of the last 2 members of their management team.
Fijian Holdings Limited Group Chief Executive Officer Jaoji Koroi said, “Getting the right people is a critical element of Merchant Finance’s growth strategy to broaden its product offering, improve its operational system and governance standards, and become a significant player in Fiji’s banking and finance sector”.
Tanya Nacagilevu, Fijian Holdings Limited Group Manager Human Resources and member of Merchant Finance’s People & Leadership Board Subcommittee also highlighted the importance of strong leadership and building the right capabilities as part of Merchant Finance’s business transformation. She added that attracting top-tier senior management from commercial banks and finance institutions, alongside Merchant Finance’s seasoned senior management, is key to building trust and driving business forward.
The new additions to the team are:
- Mitesh Kumar as General Manager Central (joined from BSP Bank)
- Leone Rotuivaqali as General Manager Risk and Compliance (joined from ANZ Bank)
- Jone Naulumatua as General Manager Vanua Finance (joined from Australia Trade and Investment Commission)
- Laisani Rokoderea as Manager Marama Finance (joined from BSP Bank)
- Sakiusa Boletawa as Manager Talanoa Finance (joined from Tower Insurance)
- Olivia Vakaosooso as Community Development and Brand Manager (joined from the UN Development Program)
- Semisi Rakata as Manager Assurance (joined from ANZ Bank)
- Sidhant Nambiar as Data and Insights Manager (joined from Tower Insurance)
There were also changes to existing management roles and these are:
- Pita Maravuakula as General Manager Finance and Operations (and Company Secretary)
- Rizwan Hussain as General Manager Credit
- Josefa Serulagilagi as Manager Legal (and Company Secretary)
- Nazia Ali as HR Business Partner
- Etuate Naugavule as Manager IT Support
- Helen Devi as Manager Insurance
- Seema Devi as Manager AMU and Collections
Merchant Finance CEO, Veilawa Rereiwasaliwa said, “Our vision is to be Fiji’s preferred financial services provider. With well-established providers already in the market, our approach is to focus on niche markets and services. We’ve done well in the Motor Vehicle Finance and Asset Finance space and are now looking at finance for indigenous-owned businesses and women-owned businesses. The strengthened talent pool allows us to venture into these new markets with confidence.”
In July 2024, Merchant Finance launched their Vanua Finance and Marama Finance services which are unique and specialized functions servicing indigenous-owned and women-owned businesses respectively.
In December 2024, Merchant Finance also revamped their website to reflect the new services and new products that they have. The new website is also the first milestone, in a wider program, to develop a world-class digital self-service offering to all Fijians.
Between January 2025 and February 2025, Merchant Finance will also be officially launching 4 exciting new products to the market. These are their Home Loan, MSME Loan, Land Subdivision Loan and Land Loan products. A taste of what to expect was shown to the market in December 2024 regarding their proposed Home Loan product which will be officially launched at the end of January 2025.
Our Key Management: https://merchantfinance.com.fj/our-people/
