Santander Bank announced that Michael Richard joined the bank as SVP and head of seafood industry banking. In this role, Richard will oversee the bank’s seafood focus within the ABL division. His responsibilities include execution of the bank’s market expansion strategy for the seafood industry across the U.S. and Canada.

“Given his extensive financial background in the seafood industry, we’re very pleased that Michael chose to join us,” Paul Kelly, managing director of Santander’s ABL division. “He brings years of hands-on experience in the seafood industry which gives him a deep understanding of how Santander’s services can help companies grow their business — whether it’s farming and harvesting, processing and packaging, or distribution and retail.”

Santander plans to expand its regional seafood focus nationally and will draw on its global resources to do so. The bank was set to kick off plans with an event expected to take place during Seafood Expo 2014, the largest seafood trade show in the world, which was set to take place March 16-18 in Boston. During the trade show, Santander was expected to host delegations from the embassies of Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, Chile, Mexico and Costa Rica, bringing together representatives of more than 80 companies interested in expanding their foreign trade in Latin America. Along with other members of Santander’s ABL business, Richard will host this event.

Prior to joining Santander, Richard served as CFO and COO of Boston-based Slade Gorton & Co. where he played an integral role in Slade’s business strategy and was responsible for oversight of the firm’s finance, operations, procurement, logistics and quality assurance efforts. He has also worked at Glitnir Bank as head of business development in North America, The Hale Group as a management consultant to food and agribusiness clients and as a commodities market-maker at Free Markets.

A member of the Treasurer’s Club of Boston, Richard is also active in the National Fisheries Institute, the primary trade organization for the seafood industry.