FINCA expresses its sincerest condolences to the family of Robert “Bob” Hatch, a FINCA co-founder who dedicated 36 years of service as the board chairman of FINCA International. Bob passed away surrounded by his family on January 24, 2025. He was 86 years old.
As a visionary entrepreneur and businessman, Bob knew a transformative idea when he saw one. Bob joined his brother John Hatch and Rupert Scofield as the co-founders of FINCA, which was incorporated in 1984. As a founding member of FINCA’s board of directors, Bob helped to guide and sustain FINCA’s mission and impact around the world for nearly four decades — from the very first loans in El Salvador to becoming a globally trusted network that impacted the lives of millions of individuals and their families.
“FINCA would not be the organization it is today, nor would we have touched the number of lives we have without Bob’s guidance, wisdom, and determination,” said Andrée Simon, Global CEO of FINCA. “Bob always put people first. He viewed every problem through the lens of his values and with incredible business acumen to guarantee that FINCA would be able to impact as many lives as possible. Bob was a true partner and friend.”
Bob’s serial entrepreneurship drove him to a very successful career. In 1990, he created CII Foods (formerly called Cereal Ingredients Inc.), an employee-owned company that delivers innovative and sustainable food solutions. Bob also served as CEO of Great Plains Analytical Laboratory, Chairman, President and CEO of Interstate Bakeries Corporation, and was an Executive Vice President at General Mills.
“I have watched Bob succeed at everything he has ever set his mind and his energy to,” said FINCA co-founder and Bob’s younger brother John Hatch. “His tenacity to succeed, his business-savvy, and his patience and determination to do what is right have made FINCA what it is today. As a son, older brother, student, husband, father, businessman, hunter-fisherman, global philanthropist and corporate visionary, Bob lived an exemplary life.”
In addition to his decades of guidance and oversight on FINCA’s board, Bob also donated generously over the years to make sure that FINCA had a firm financial footing for growth, and to develop new initiatives that would change more lives.
“Bob was generous, kind, and thoughtful in everything he did,” said Richard Williamson, Chairman of the Board of Directors of FINCA Impact Finance and board member of FINCA International. “He dedicated his life to delivering impact. He will be dearly missed.”
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorial contributions may be made to FINCA International to honor Bob’s commitment to eradicating global poverty.
