Press Releases

BAFT Congratulates Graduates of the 2021 Future Leaders Program

The Class of 2021, comprised of 36 individuals from 26 countries, were recognized today during BAFT’s 2021 Virtual Global Annual Meeting.

WASHINGTON – BAFT, the leading global financial services association for international transaction banking, today announced the graduates of its Future Leaders Program class of 2021. The program – now completing its sixth year – recognizes upcoming leaders in the global transaction banking industry. The Future Leader graduates were honored during a virtual ceremony as a part of BAFT’s 2021 Annual Global Meeting.

Nominated by their respective institutions, the class of 2021 included 36 individuals from 21 countries across six continents representing a variety of disciplines within transaction banking. This year’s group was divided into five project teams to address current industry issues including transaction banking post COVID-19, commodity trade finance, sustainable finance, faster payments, and diversity, equity and inclusion.

“We are incredibly proud of this year’s graduates, which represent the largest and most geographically diverse Future Leaders class since the inception of the program,” said Tod Burwell, president and CEO, BAFT. “Despite the challenging circumstances, program participants were engaged and collaborative, and ultimately delivered projects that will enrich the transaction banking industry.”

The Future Leaders research papers are available for all BAFT members online here.

BAFT congratulates the following graduates from the Class of 2021.

Hanan Hassan Moalim Ali, International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation
Yaseen Alsharif, Arab Bank
Hanna G. Atallah, Housing Bank for Trade and Finance
Linda Bader, Wintrust Financial Corporation
Boris Bajic, Danske Bank
Thomas Banks, Lloyds Banking Group
Ahmed Bayoumi, Export Development Bank of Egypt (EBE)
Clement Berthou, Societe Generale
Caroline Brown, Wells Fargo Bank
Bruno Campos, Bank of America
Antonio Crespo, Nordea
Alexia Dackberg, Swedbank
Madlena Demirchian, Commerce Bank
Natalie Harold, NatWest
Christophe Hatt, BNP Paribas
Aaron Jennings, BNY Mellon
Elmira Jubanyshkaliyeva, Barclays
Mukuka Bwalya-Katowa, FNB Zambia
Zakir Khanmammadov, Kapital Bank
Rufus Kin Yan Lam, HSBC
Ryan Lastra, JPMorgan Chase & Co.
Thao Hanh Le, ING Bank
Yvonne Lim, UBS
Aline Perico Lime, StoneX
Sepideh Malekpour, Surecomp
Jocelyn Tong-Palmer, ANZ Banking Group
Pauline Pang, MUFG Bank
Rachel Parks, Derivative Path, Inc.
Abir Paul, BMO Capital Markets
Sara Pianigiani, Standard Chartered
Grzegorz Pojnar, Santander Bank
Joshua Randolph, PNC Bank
Theresa Donnelly-Staerk, Deloitte
Xi-Ping Tan, Deutsche Bank
Ruben Valentino, Banorte
Mouli Vasan, Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank

About BAFT
BAFT is the leading international financial services association whose membership includes large global and regional banks, service providers, and fintech companies headquartered around the world. BAFT provides advocacy, thought leadership, education, and a global forum for its members in transaction banking, including international trade finance and payments. For nearly a century, BAFT has expanded markets, shaped policy, developed business solutions, and preserved the safety and soundness of the global financial system. Learn more at www.baft.org.

BAFT Media Contact:
Blair Bernstein
Director, Public Relations
[email protected]
+ 1 (202) 663-5468

BAFT Elects Arab Bank’s Maram Al-Jazireh to Lead Board of Directors

BAFT would like to congratulate its new officers on their election to the 2021-2022 association year and also welcome new board directors Paul Taylor, Bank of America; Aaron Zynczak, First Citizens Bank; Patrik Havander, Nordea; and George Lee, Standard Chartered Bank.

WASHINGTON — BAFT, an international financial services association, announced Maram Al-Jazireh of Arab Bank will serve as the chair of its board of directors for the 2021-2022 association year.

Al-Jazireh is the senior vice president & global head of financial institutions at Arab Bank, as well as a member of its Financial Institutions Credit Committee.

“I am glad to be a part of the team that drives BAFT’s mission to promote sound financial practices enabling innovation, efficiency and commercial growth, while emphasizing transaction banking’s valuable contribution to the financial services industry and its positive impact on global economies,” said Al-Jazireh.

Prior to joining Arab Bank in 2001, Al-Jazireh worked for financial institutions in Amman and Dubai and has served as co-chair of the BAFT MENA Council for the past two years. She is a member of the Governance Committee for a USAID funded MENA investment initiative in Jordan, a fellow of the Middle East Leadership Initiative (a member of the Aspen Global Leadership Network) and founder of Mid The Art Reach Project. Al-Jazireh grew up in Kuwait and graduated from Oklahoma State University with a major in accounting.

BAFT board officers include:

Vice Chair: Suresh Subramanian, BNP Paribas
Secretary / Treasurer: Amy Sahm, Fulton Bank

Other directors include:

Ihunanya Onuoha, Access Bank
Tod Burwell (CEO), BAFT
Paul Taylor, Bank of America
Maurice Iskandar, Banque Libano-Française
Miriam Ratkovicova, Deloitte
Ulf-Peter Noetzel, Deutsche Bank
Robert Mancini, Finastra
Aaron Zynczak, First Citizens Bank
Patricia Gomes, HSBC
Nick Smit, ING
Robert Hostler, JPMorgan
Andreas Meletiou, Mashreq
Steve Lotito, MUFG
Mark Borton, National Australia Bank
Jonathan Elkins, National Bank of Canada
Patrik Havander, Nordea
Bart Timmermans, Santander UK
Kevin Holmes, Standard Bank
George Lee, Standard Chartered Bank
Tarik Muzaffar, TD Bank
Christian Stolcke, UBS
F. H. Ahlborn, US Bank
Mark Garfield, Zions Bancorporation

About BAFT

BAFT, the leading global financial services association for international transaction banking, helps bridge solutions across financial institutions, service providers and the regulatory community that promote sound financial practices enabling innovation, efficiency, and commercial growth. BAFT engages on a wide range of topics affecting transaction banking, including trade finance, payments, and compliance.

BAFT Media Contact:

Blair Bernstein
[email protected]
+ 1 (202) 663-5468

BAFT and CGI Launch Trade Technology Survey at 2020 Virtual International Convention

BAFT and CGI recently conducted a survey of more than 200 BAFT members in an effort to better understand the current state of technological advancements in trade, and how the pandemic has accelerated their importance and need.

WASHINGTON – More than 70 percent of bank respondents reported a culture of increased innovation in trade finance during the last year, according to a new survey conducted by BAFT, the leading global financial services association for international transaction banking, and CGI, a multinational, independent IT and business consulting services firm. In fact, nearly 85 percent of survey participants reported increased digitization efforts at their financial institution in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

BAFT and CGI conducted its survey of more than 200 BAFT members in the summer of 2020 in an effort to better understand the current state of technological advancements in trade, and how the pandemic has accelerated their importance and need.

The survey found that banks have been driving new digitization efforts, forming consortia with financial and corporate partners, searching for compliance solutions, and re-examining existing processes to create efficient operations.

“Over the last 10 years of my career, we have been discussing automating trade finance processes,” said Stacey Facter, senior vice president, trade products, BAFT. “COVID-19 has underscored the need to move away from paper and seemingly expedited the transition. BAFT works to identify barriers to innovation and address them head on to continue driving the global trade finance industry to embrace digitalization.”

Digitization initiatives are underpinned by technologies such as blockchain/DLT platforms, intelligent process automation, artificial intelligence, machine learning, natural language processing, and robotic process automation.

“The BAFT and CGI survey reveals that while banks continue to face legal, regulatory, and compliance challenges, the industry is making advances with newer technologies that support integrated platforms and provide seamless transactional workflows,” said Patrick DeVilbiss, director of consulting, trade and supply chain solutions, CGI.

The full survey and results will be presented at BAFT’s 2020 Virtual International Convention on Thursday, November 19 at 10:35 ET / 15:35 GMT during the ‘Trade Technology: Today’s Focuses, Tomorrow’s Promises’ session. This session will discuss the results of the survey and provide insight on the current state of technological advancement in trade featuring Normand D’Arcy, senior manager, international services, National Bank of Canada; Patrick DeVilbiss, director of consulting, trade and supply chain solutions, CGI; Stacey Facter, senior vice president, trade products, BAFT; and Marc Smith, CEO & founder, Conpend.

To view the survey’s results including respondents top technology investments over the next five years, top challenges in meeting shifting business needs, culture of innovation, fintech collaboration, and more, visit our Library of Documents under the Surveys section or click here.

About CGI
Founded in 1976, CGI is among the largest independent IT and business consulting services firms in the world. With 76,000 consultants and other professionals across the globe, CGI delivers an end-to-end portfolio of capabilities, from strategic IT and business consulting to systems integration, managed IT and business process services and intellectual property solutions. CGI works with clients through a local relationship model complemented by a global delivery network that helps clients digitally transform their organizations and accelerate results. CGI Fiscal 2020 reported revenue is C$12.16 billion and CGI shares are listed on the TSX (GIB.A) and the NYSE (GIB). Learn more at cgi.com.

BAFT Media Contact:
Blair Bernstein
[email protected]
+ 1 (202) 663-5468

BAFT Launches Global Payments Industry Council

On November 2 , BAFT announced the formation of its new Global Payments Industry Council (GPIC).

WASHINGTON — BAFT, the leading international transaction banking association, announced today the formation of its Global Payments Industry Council (GPIC). The GPIC’s primary purpose is to set BAFT’s strategic agenda with respect to global payments and to ensure proper alignment of BAFT’s payments committees and working groups.

The council will be led by Chair David Kretz, head of GTS global strategy and payments for Bank of America and Vice-Chair Jean-François Mazure, head of cash clearing services for Societe Generale.

“The GPIC serves as the cornerstone of BAFT’s new payments strategy, which the Board approved earlier this year,” said Samantha Pelosi, senior vice president for payments and innovation, BAFT. “We look forward to the council’s direction and guidance in this increasingly important area of transaction banking.”

The GPIC’s top three priorities for the next two years include interfacing with key regulators around the globe about the information traveling with funds for transparent payments, ensuring that the same standards are applied to all entities wishing to participate in real-time payments systems, and developing best practices for those real-time payments participants, such as origination, on-boarding an entity to platform, expediting the resolution of exceptions in processing, and effectively leveraging the new technology.

The GPIC is made up of 20 bankers comprised of executives leading the cash management, payments and liquidity business lines of BAFT member organizations. The GPIC’s geographic representation includes Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, MENA, and North America.

About the Global Payments Industry Council (GPIC)
The GPIC consists of global heads of payments and cash management from member banks including ANZ, Bank of America, Barclays, BNP Paribas, BNY Mellon, Citigroup, Deutsche Bank, First Abu Dhabi Bank, HSBC, J.P. Morgan, MUFG, Nordea, Santander, Societe Generale, Standard Bank, Standard Chartered, TD Bank, UBS, and Wells Fargo.

BAFT Media Contact:
Blair Bernstein
[email protected]
+ 1 (202) 663-5468

BAFT Names New Chair of Transaction Banking Global Leaders Group

BAFT has announced Jose Luis Calderon, global head of global transaction banking at Santander, as the new chair of its Transaction Banking Global Leaders (TBGL) group.

WASHINGTON — Jose Luis Calderon, global head of global transaction banking at Santander, succeeds Diane Reyes, group general manager and global head of global liquidity and cash management at HSBC, who led the group for the past two years.

The TBGL brings together the leaders of the industry’s largest transaction banks to discuss solutions to common points of interest where cross-industry collaboration is required. Current topics of discussion include regulatory compliance, financial crime mitigation, payments and trade innovation, IBOR transition, human capital development and increasing the profile of the transaction banking industry.

“I am thrilled with the opportunity to chair BAFT’s Transaction Banking ‎Global Leaders Group at such challenging times,” said Calderon. “Our industry has proven essential to maintaining companies’ access to banking services, controlling their liquidity and funding their working capital needs, and ultimately, being close to our clients when they most need us.”

Calderon joined Santander in 1997 and has held various positions in Santander Corporate & Investment Banking (Santander CIB) division. Since 2004, Calderon has occupied different management roles within Santander CIB, acting as product manager of GTB Europe, head of GTB Iberia and head of GTB Europe until 2014, when he was appointed global head of global transaction banking managing a team of more than 500 professionals. He holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and business administration from Universidad de Cantabria, and is a member of various international bodies such as the SWIFT Board and IBOS Association.

“Jose has been an active and valuable contributor to the TBGL since he joined five years ago, and has been an important leader in the transaction banking industry more broadly,” said Tod Burwell, BAFT president and CEO. “The industry is facing unprecedented challenges at this time, and collaboration is paramount to moving forward. We look forward to the future under Jose’s leadership.”

The group includes 18 institutions from across multiple continents, bringing geographic diversity and balance to the industry dialogue. Participants collectively represent a significant share of the transaction banking services offered by financial institutions.

About BAFT
BAFT, the leading global financial services association for international transaction banking, helps bridge solutions across financial institutions, service providers and the regulatory community that promote sound financial practices enabling innovation, efficiency, and commercial growth. BAFT engages on a wide range of topics affecting transaction banking, including trade finance, payments, and compliance. The association website is www.baft.org.

BAFT Media Contact:
Blair Bernstein
[email protected]
+ 1 (202) 663-5468

BAFT Launches Online E-Learning University with Certificate in Introductory Transaction Banking

BAFT today released the Certificate in Introductory Transaction Banking (CITB), an online self-guided study through the basics of global transaction banking (GTB). The certificate is an effort to address a gap in readily available education for those looking to understand transaction banking and is available via the BAFT Learning Management System.

WASHINGTON — BAFT, the leading global trade association for transaction banking, today released the Certificate in Introductory Transaction Banking (CITB), an online self-guided study through the basics of global transaction banking (GTB). The certificate covers payments, trade, and compliance for entry-level bankers or for those transferring into GTB from another discipline within the bank.

The certificate is an effort to address a gap in readily available education for those looking to understand transaction banking.

“BAFT has always been a channel for delivering quality training and education, however, we noticed a significant need to educate the next generation of bankers on the basics of transaction banking,” said Tod Burwell, president and CEO, BAFT. “We are excited to share this certificate with the industry, which complements some of our other human capital development offerings such as our Future Leaders Program.”

Participants will obtain a basic understanding of the key transaction banking services including cash management, trade finance, compliance, correspondent banking and cross-border payments; in addition to common industry terminology, and the role these products play in the banking industry. Finally, candidates will understand the rich history of transaction banking, where it stands in its evolution today, and explore the innovative efforts being made by the industry.

The certificate is comprised of seven courses, which is expected to take a candidate roughly five to seven hours to complete. Each course is self-study with detailed voice overviews from the authors, including knowledge checks, cases studies, and concludes with a mandatory exam.

To develop the certificate, BAFT convened a core advisory group of global correspondent bankers who specialize in each of the core areas of transaction banking. BAFT’s Certificate in Introductory Transaction Banking provides a strong foundation for new hires as well as more senior staff that are new to transaction banking.

“Having an awareness of the core elements is critical to ultimately mastering transaction banking as the business is complex and continues to evolve rapidly,” said Chuck Kohler, an advisor and EVP, global payment services, Wells Fargo.

Advisors George Adrianos of BNP Paribas, John Ladany of Citi, Barry Tooker of iSoftware4Banks and Inna Gogoua of PNC Bank were also instrumental in the development and review of the certificate.

The courses were authored by well-known industry experts Craig Weeks and Alexander Malaket.

The Certificate in Introductory Transaction Banking is available on the BAFT Learning Management System here.

For inquires or to find out about group pricing please contact Shawn Haynes at [email protected].

BAFT Media Contact:
Blair Bernstein
[email protected]
+ 1 (202) 663-5468

About BAFT

BAFT Media Contact:

Address

Phone

Sitemap

Social