Vitor Bento said in a letter to clients the management change occurs at an opportune moment and "has nothing dramatic to it". He backed the newly-named CEO Eduardo Stock da Cunha as a renowned professional with lots of experience in the banking sector.

"Nothing essential changes and the bank will continue its efforts to serve you with the quality you know, being worthy of your trust," he wrote.

(Reporting By Andrei Khalip, editing by Louise Heavens)