The chairman of the Safra Group, Joseph Safra, has died at the age of 82 on 10 December 2020 in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
He founded Banco Safra in the country in 1955.
Safra remained chairman of the Safra Group, which include Banco Safra, private bank J Safra Sarasin, and Safra National Bank of New York, until his death.
‘Great leader’
In a statement, the private bank said: “He was a loving and insightful man, who dedicated his life to family, friends, business and social causes.
“He was a great banker, a true entrepreneur who built the J Safra Group around the world, being successful for his dignity and business vision. He was a great leader and very respected inside and outside the organisation.
“Throughout his life, he was an arts lover and a great philanthropist, always committed to maintaining the tradition of devotion to worthy causes, one of his distinctive marks.
“He has helped many people and supported countless social, religious and cultural causes, such as the construction and renovation of hospitals, day care centres, museums and religious temples of all faiths.
“He had a great responsibility to society. He led with courage, wisdom and determination. He cultivated deep roots of altruism, commitment and excellence.”
