Interview Summary
Roberto Setubal discusses his history at Banco Itaú, and his father's roles in the expansion and internationalization of the bank. He focuses on the merger of Itaú with Unibanco in 2008, leading to Itaú's positioning as the largest bank in Brazil, and subsequently in Latin America. He discusses how he improved efficiency at the merged bank, invested in technology, downsized the workforce, and eventually drove the globalization of the bank. Setubal reveals his strategies for dealing with challenging issues, including privatization and currency stabilization.
[I]n real life, leadership does not come from the person who stands on the stage.... It has more to do with ... the way you interact with people, with the way you motivate people to bring them closer to you.
Additional Resources
Itau Unibanco (A): The Merger Process [HBS Case]
Itau Unibanco (B): The Merger Outcome [HBS Case]
Education & Participation Award: ITAU-CENPEC-UNICEF Partnership [Social Enterprise Knowledge Network]
Ignácio de Loyola Brandão and Jorge J. Okubaro, Desvirando a página: A vida de Olavo Setubal. Global Editora, 2008
Datamonitor, Banco Itau Holding Financeira SA SWOT Analysis, 2008–
“An Interview with Roberto Setubal,” Leaders, January 2010
“Transforming a High-Performing Company: An Interview with Roberto Setubal,” McKinsey & Co., April 2009
“Empreendedorismo que faz história com Roberto Setubal e Roberto Civita,” YouTube, Uploaded, November 17, 2011: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ITqSroqU4g
“Roberto Setúbal, Banco Itaú,” Financial Times, February 22, 2013
Interview Citation Format
"Interview with Roberto Setubal, interviewed by Ricardo Reisen de Pinho, June 6, 2013, Creating Emerging Markets Project, Baker Library Historical Collections, Harvard Business School, http://www.hbs.edu/creating-emerging-markets/."
