Companies Caixa Economica Federal FollowBRASILIA, Oct 25 (Reuters) - Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Wednesday picked Carlos Antonio Vieira Fernandes to replace Rita Serrano as CEO of state-run lender Caixa Economica Federal. Her replacement, Fernandes, is a former worker at the bank and former director of the Caixa employees' pension fund, Funcef. The CEO appointment comes after months of negotiations with a powerful bloc of lawmakers called "centrao." Fernandes was recommended to Lula by Lower House Speaker Arthur Lira on behalf of the bloc, in exchange for more support in Congress. Reporting by Lisandra Paraguassu; Writing by Peter Frontini; Editing by Leslie AdlerOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

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Persons: Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Carlos Antonio Vieira Fernandes, Rita Serrano, Serrano, Lula, Fernandes, Arthur Lira, Lisandra Paraguassu, Peter Frontini, Leslie Adler Organizations: Caixa Economica, Caixa Economica Federal, Caixa, Lower, Thomson Locations: BRASILIA, Caixa, Lula