It is with great regret to announce the passing of Roberto Weckop, Director/Head of International Business, Deutsche Factoring Bank, Germany and member of the FCI Marketing & Communication Committee (MARCOM). Roberto passed away at his home in Bremen on Monday, 24 October. He is survived by his wife, Ellsa Hsu, from Taiwan and his mother, Käthe Weckop, from Germany.

Roberto led a very adventurous and successful career. Born in Munich, Germany, in 1961 to an Italian father and a German mother, Roberto was raised in Duesseldorf and graduated in Economics from the Open University in Passau. Roberto’s involvement in the factoring industry began in 1984, working for the Disko and Kredit AG, a subsidiary of Dresdner Bank, and was later transferred to Disko Factoring GmbH as Director of Sales. Before his role at Deutsche Factoring, he was Chief Representative and Director of International Factoring at Eurofactor GmbH; Managing Director of GE Capital Commercial Finance GmbH, and Managing Director of Atradius Factoring. Roberto also served for 12 years as a member of the FCI MARCOM from 2010-2022 and also was promoted to Chairman of the Marketing Committee in 2018.

Mrs. Daniela Bonzanini, Banca IFIS Head of International and FCI Chairman, stated, “I was completely shocked by this very sad news. Roberto gave so much of his life to our industry and especially to FCI over the years, was appreciated by all who knew him, and until the end, remained committed to his work, family and our association. Roberto was an exemplary citizen of FCI, and we are all in mourning over his passing. On behalf of the FCI membership globally, we express our deepest condolences to Roberto’s family.”

Mr. Çagatay Baydar, Chairman of TEB Faktoring, Turkey and Vice Chairman of the FCI Executive Committee, who served with Roberto for a number of years as past MARCOM Chairman, stated, “It’s my deep sadness to lose such a great colleague from the Factoring industry. Roberto was not only a great friend but also a true example of professionalism and devotion to the FCI community. My friendship with him was old and strong and I will deeply miss him. We all lost a good friend. We all shared with him many moments, meetings, feelings, and experiences and had very good memories. We will never forget him and keep his memories in our hearts. With my condolences”

Mr. Joaquin Durany, Business Development Director, EMEA Region/Spain, Summa Factoring Uruguay and FCI Vice Chairman, said, “Words seem so feeble in moments like this. My friend, Roberto’s death is such a thief in the night that it steals a part of our lives but can never take away the feeling of friendship and good memories that we will always carry with us in our hearts.”

Ms. Sarah Pon, International Relationship Manager, UniCredit Italy and Chairman, FCI MARCOM, stated, “He was a very kind human being, like a brother, a friend and sometimes a strong competitor to me. I will miss him so much!”

On a personal note, I had the opportunity to work closely with Roberto over the past two decades. Anyone who knew Roberto appreciated his dedication as a factoring professional, a global citizen, a very kind and caring person, and beloved by his fellow work colleagues, his fellow committee members, staff of the FCI Secretariat, and his family of factoring friends globally. With over 30 years of experience, Roberto helped members around the world to better understand the complexities of receivables finance in general and international cross-border factoring in particular, with a special bond and passion for the people from the greater China region. To me, he was an instrumental contributor to FCI and a personal confidante, someone who I frequently consulted for guidance over the years. I had also known Roberto and his wife Ellsa on a personal level, had attended their wedding in Taiwan back in 2014, and just found them to be such a loving and fun couple.

Ellsa asked that Roberto be remembered as someone who worked passionately for the industry, for his clients and partners, and did so always with a smile and with a great sense of humour. I know how much Ellsa is suffering, and just ask all of you to keep her and the family in your prayers. Roberto will be greatly missed.

With condolences,
Peter Mulroy (FCI Secretary General) & The FCI Secretariat