Bankers of the Year
Global banking faces some of the biggest challenges it has ever known, but thanks to strong leadership, the industry looks more than capable of navigating the path to profit
Africa
Peter Amangbo
Zenith Bank
After earning an MBA from Warwick Business School and spending a stint at Price Waterhouse, Peter Amangbo went on to begin a fruitful career at one of Nigeria’s largest banks. Following two decades of climbing the ranks at Zenith, Amangbo was appointed CEO and Managing Director in 2014. While he is relatively young for such a prominent role, Amangbo has demonstrated commitment and talent in all of the teams in which he has worked. He has gained invaluable experience and insight from the various divisions of Zenith, ranging from business development to corporate finance and investment banking.
Europe
José Maria Ricciardi
Haitong Bank
José Maria Ricciardi is leading Haitong from the front and has fostered an ambition to lead what is one of Europe’s most forward-thinking banks through to its next phase of development. He was highly influential in finalising Haitong Securities’ acquisition of BESI, one of China’s largest and oldest investment banking and securities firms. The two firms came together only in September last year, with a single ambition to create a world-leading investment bank. Without his expertise at the helm, Haitong might not be the financial colossus it is today, as it prepares to strengthen its franchises in the EMEA region, India and the Americas.
Latin America
Dr Gerardo Salazar
Grupo Financiero Interacciones
Gerardo Salazar has more than 30 years’ experience in the financial sector and has done a great deal to improve Grupo Financiero Interacciones’ sitting in the market since becoming a member of the board of directors in 2007. A graduate of the Universidad Iberoamericana, he has spearheaded many of the institution’s latest developments and witnessed a great deal of progress in his time there: the institution has become the largest specialised financial group in Mexico, and something of a specialist in providing government loans and infrastructure financing, not to mention risk management and financial advisory services to the public sector.
Asia
Aung Ko Win
Kanbawza Bank (KBZ Bank)
From his humble origins as a schoolteacher, Aung Ko Win has risen to become one of Myanmar’s leading businessmen. He became head of the Kanbawza Bank in 2000 and, under him, the bank has greatly expanded its operations, reach and ultimately profitability: while it only had four branches when Aung Ko Win took over, it has since become one of the country’s leading financial institutions. With the opening up of Myanmar’s economy to the world, KBZ Bank is set to expand further, with a renewed focus on attracting much-needed international investment to the country.
Australasia
Brian Hartzer
Westpac
From a young age, Brian Hartzer showed the level of excellence that continues to make him stand out from the crowd. His impressive record began at one of the best schools in the US, followed by Princeton University, where he gained a degree in European History. Unlike others in leading banking roles, Hartzer actually began his career in consultancy. Since he turned his sights to the banking world, however, his progression has been exponential, as shown by his promotion to CEO of ANZ within only a decade of joining the company. At Westpac, Hartzer continues to exhibit the leadership he has become known for throughout the industry.
Middle East
Dr Robert Maroun Eid
Arab National Bank
Dr Robert Eid has been Managing Director and CEO of Saudi-based Arab National Bank since 2005. He is also a director of Arab National Investment Company, Saudi Home Loans and MetLife AIG ANB Cooperative Insurance Company. Prior to that he was the Managing Director of London-based NBK International and the Head of National Bank of Kuwait’s international network of branches and subsidiaries. He was a director of the International Bank of Qatar and the Vice Chairman of the board of directors of NBK (Lebanon). Dr Eid holds a PhD in Money and Banking from the Sorbonne University in France.
North America
William J Mills
Citi
Since 2012, William Joseph Mills (or Bill Mills as he is often known) has been the Chief Executive Officer of North American Region at Citigroup. At the same time, he heads Citi Community Development and International Franchise Management in more than 100 countries around the world, and has operating responsibility for Citi Holdings and Citi’s business in Japan. Mills has had a long career, with 35 years of investment banking experience, 30 of which have been at Citi. Prior to assuming his role as Chief Executive Officer of the North America region, between 2008 and 2011 Mills was the CEO of Citi EMEA.
