Gulf International Bank has appointed Abdulaziz A Al-Helaissi as its chief executive officer effective February 1.

Al-Helaissi will succeed Dr Yahya A. Alyahya,  said GIB chairman Jammaz Bin Abdullah Al-Suhaimi.

Al-Helaissi brings decades of banking experience and most recently, he was the deputy governor (supervision) of the Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency (Sama).  

Prior to Sama, Al-Helaissi held senior leadership positions over the course of 23 years with various banking institutions in Saudi Arabia including JP Morgan Chase, the Saudi British Bank, Arab National Bank, and Saudi Hollandi Bank.

Al-Helaissi’s appointment is a major step in the execution of GIB’s transformation into a pan-GCC universal bank, a statement said.

It said this would not have been possible without the dedication and efforts of Dr Alyahya who has stabilised GIB’s position and formulated its future strategy.

“The immense energy, focus and commitment of Dr Alyahya to GIB over the past seven years are deeply valued by the board,” said Al-Suhaimi.  He added: “The  board also appreciates Dr Al-Yahya’s willingness to continue contributing to GIB by serving as a member of the board.”

GIB is owned by the six Gulf Cooperation Council countries with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund being the major shareholder.  – TradeArabia News Service