14 Feb 2014

Nominated bank president rejected by American Samoa senate

5:10 pm on 14 February 2014

The nomination of Ruth Matagi-Fa'atili to the post of president of the government-owned Development Bank of American Samoa has been rejected.

Nine senators voted in her favour and five against, but she required at least ten votes in the secret ballot for her position to be approved.

Under local law, only the Senate can review and vote on the nomination of the bank's president.

The governor now has the choice of renominating Ms Matagi-Fa'atili to the post in the next Fono sitting in July or make a new appointment for submission to the current session.

The post has been vacant since Lolo Moliga stepped down in early 2012 before his successful election as Governor of American Samoa.