Press Releases

Trade Finance Global Announces International Trade Awards 2022 Winners

The 2022 TFG International Trade Awards were awarded at the 2022 BAFT Global Annual Meeting covering seven global categories, seven markets, six specialist categories, and two individual categories.

LONDON/WASHINGTON –Trade Finance Global (TFG) announces the winners of the 2022 International Trade Awards in cooperation with BAFT. Now in its sixth year running, the TFG International Trade Awards 2022 recognize those who have provided an outstanding contribution to global trade and finance.

This year’s winners were announced at BAFT’s 2022 Global Annual Meeting in Washington, DC on May 4. BAFT would like to congratulate this year’s winners.

Global

  • Best Trade Financier – Citi
  • Best Receivables Financier – ING Bank
  • Best Supply Chain Financier – Citi
  • Best Export Credit Agency – UK Export Finance (UKEF)
  • Best Multilateral Development Bank – African Export–Import Bank (Afreximbank)
  • Tradetech Innovator Award – Surecomp
  • Sustainable Trade Finance Award – European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)

Regional

  • Best Trade Financier in Western Europe – Commerzbank
  • Best Trade Financier in Central and Eastern Europe – Raiffeisen
  • Best Trade Financier in the Middle East – First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB)
  • Best Trade Financier in Africa – Rand Merchant Bank
  • Best Trade Financier in Asia Pacific – Bank of China
  • Best Trade Financier in North America – J.P. Morgan
  • Best Trade Financier in Latin America – Santander

Specialist

  • Best Trade Finance Deal of the Year – Allen & Overy
  • Best Trade Finance Education Provider – London Institute of Banking & Finance (LIBF)
  • Best Trade Finance Law Firm – Sullivan Law
  • Best Trade Credit Insurance Provider – AIG
  • Best Islamic Financier –  International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC)
  • Trade Digitization Award – Enigio

Individuals

  • Outstanding Contribution to Trade Finance – Steven Beck, Asian Development Bank (ADB)
  • Rising Trade Finance Star – Haitham Elsaid, Qatar National Bank Al-Alahli

Read the Winners’ Interviews Here >

TFG would like to thank all nominations for all 22 categories across seven different markets, and 18 judges of the steering committee for what was a challenging judging process. TFG takes great pride in making the awards as impartial as possible.

Mark Abrams, Head of Trade Finance, TFG said:

“We are proud to award outstanding companies and individuals for their contribution to the trade finance industry over the past 12 months, which have been far from normal.”

“Now in its 6th year running, we’re delighted to collaborate with BAFT and would like to thank our independent steering committee for their time and efforts in running the rigorous judging process.”

Scott Stevenson, Senior Vice President of Trade, BAFT said:

“BAFT is extremely honored to be taking part in this year’s TFG International Trade Awards and appreciates the opportunity to recognize industry leaders in trade, supply chain and receivables finance.”

TFG Media Contact:
Deepesh Patel
Director, Partnerships and Marketing
[email protected]
+44 (0) 750 739 8018

BAFT Congratulates Graduates of the 2022 Future Leaders Program

WASHINGTON – BAFT, the leading global financial services association for international transaction banking, today announced the graduates of its Future Leaders Program Class of 2022. The program – now completing its seventh year – recognizes upcoming leaders in the global transaction banking industry. The Future Leader graduates were honored at an in-person ceremony in Washington, DC on May 4 as part of BAFT’s 2022 Annual Global Meeting.

Nominated by their respective institutions, the class of 2022 included 35 individuals from 22 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 commercializing data, CBDCs, sustainability, digitizing trade finance, and ISO 20022.

“We are incredibly proud of this year’s Future Leaders class,” said Tod Burwell, President & CEO, BAFT. “Though the pandemic prevented them from meeting in-person at the beginning of the program, this cohort showed great resilience and commitment to their teammates and respective projects. With the graduation of the 2022 class, the BAFT Future Leaders program now has more than 200 transaction banking leaders amongst its alumni.”

BAFT Congratulates the Following Graduates from the Class of 2022:

  • Ahmad Hamza Hashmi, International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC)
  • Akshat Jain, ANZ Banking Group
  • Alejandra Basañez Coppola, Banco Mercantil del Norte (Banorte)
  • Aluwani Thenga, Rand Merchant Bank
  • Anum Chaudhary, Bank of America
  • Attia Salim, ING
  • Ayah Al-Hneiti, The Housing Bank for Trade and Finance
  • Brandon Wells, Goldman Sachs
  • Cyril Finan, Deutsche Bank
  • David Willacy, StoneX Group
  • Dejna Zunic, Royal Bank of Canada (RBC)
  • Devon Falvey, Citibank
  • Elmi Gabobe, CAC International Bank
  • Farid Al-Masri, Arab Bank
  • Farid Samadov, Kapital Bank
  • Himath Kithsiri, Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank
  • Jon Boran, Lloyds Bank
  • Katherine (Katie) Belchere, PNC Bank
  • Khaled Berto, African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank)
  • Kishore Kotian, Barclays Bank
  • Leos Hruz, BBVA
  • Marie Mohmand, Swedbank
  • Martin Cortazar Mueller, UBS
  • Min Jeong Chae, BMO (Bank of Montreal)
  • Mohit Mehtaji, HSBC Bank
  • Nadine Ghandour, BNP Paribas
  • Raphaël Scemama, Societe Generale
  • Ricardo Pacheco, City National Bank
  • Romain d’Apolito, UniCredit
  • Roselyn Najjuma, Standard Chartered Bank
  • Tomas Zaleckas, SEB
  • Tuomas Autero, Nordea
  • Valentina Polimeno, Intesa Sanpaolo
  • Viktoria Rudoj, Commerzbank 
  • William Murray, Fulton Bank

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
Director, Public Relations
[email protected]
+1 (202) 663-5468

Follow Us: @BAFT

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

BAFT would like to congratulate its officers on their reelection to the 2022-2023 association year and also welcome new board directors from ABSA, Barclays, BLOM Bank, BMO, DBS Bank, Deutsche Bank, and Scotiabank.

WASHINGTON — BAFT, the leading global financial services association for international transaction banking, has announced that Maram Al-Jazireh of Arab Bank will serve as the Chair of its Board of Directors for the 2022-2023 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.

“It is an honor to be reelected as the BAFT board chair,” said Al-Jazireh.  “I look forward to another year working alongside my fellow officers and board members. We share an optimistic outlook for the association and remain committed to promoting transaction banking’s value to the financial services industry and its positive impact on global economies.”

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:

  • Michelle Knowles, ABSA
  • Tod Burwell (CEO), BAFT
  • Paul Taylor, Bank of America
  • Maurice Iskandar, Banque Libano-Française
  • Sabry Salman, Barclays
  • Rana Beydoun, BLOM Bank
  • Karin Walchshöfer, BMO (Bank of Montreal)
  • Sriram MuthuKrishnan, DBS Bank
  • Miriam Ratkovicova, Deloitte
  • Russell Brown, Deutsche Bank
  • Robert Mancini, Finastra
  • Aaron Zynczak, First Citizens Bank
  • Nick Smit, ING
  • Robert Hostler, JPMorgan Chase
  • Andreas Meletiou, Mashreq Bank
  • Steven Lotito, MUFG
  • Dyanne Carenza, Scotiabank
  • Kevin Holmes, Standard Bank
  • George Lee, Standard Chartered Bank
  • Tarik Muzaffar, TD Bank
  • Mark Garfield, Zions Bancorporation

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

Follow Us: @BAFT

Premier of Montserrat to Attend Two US-Based Meetings

Montserrat Premier and Members of the Caribbean Association of Banks to Discuss Banking on Visit to the U.S. at the 2022 BAFT Global Annual Meeting.

MONTSERRAT/WASHINGTON – The Premier of Montserrat, Hon. Joseph E Farrell will be on overseas duty from April 23 to May 5, 2022 as he will be attending meetings in Miami and Washington, DC.

Premier Farrell, whose portfolio includes Tourism, will attend the Seatrade Cruise Global Conference in Miami Beach, Florida from Monday April 25 to Thursday April 28, 2022. His delegation will include the Director of Tourism, Rosetta West-Gerald; Project Manager at the Tourism Division, Charlesworth Phillip and Private Sector Representative, Tour Operator, Roselyn Cassell-Sealey.

In addition to their attendance at the conference which includes workshops, the Montserrat delegation will also attend meetings with several cruise liners and will have an opportunity to display Montserrat branded collateral during the Expo which runs from April 26 to 28. The Montserrat Port Development project will also be highlighted during the week long activities.

Following this meeting, the Premier & Minister of Finance will travel to Washington, DC for the May 1-4, 2022 BAFT Global Annual Meeting.

The meeting will provide an opportunity for the Caribbean Association of Banks (CAB) Member Banks to network with North American banks at the largest correspondent banking event in the United States where industry professionals will be able to network, conduct bilateral meetings, and engage in topical discussions and sessions on the global transaction banking industry.

There will also be a Caribbean Banking Roundtable hosted on May 2, 2022 where BAFT and CAB will convene a group of Caribbean and U.S. Banks along with respective governments together in one room to discuss challenges in correspondent banking for the Caribbean community and opportunities to engage with North American banks.

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

Follow Us: @BAFT

BAFT Announces New Vice President of Payments and Financial Crime

BAFT has named Deepa Sinha as its new Vice President of Payments and Financial Crime. Sinha will lead the association’s payments, cash management and financial crime-focused policy initiatives.

WASHINGTON – BAFT, the leading global financial services association for international transaction banking, has named Deepa Sinha as its new Vice President of Payments and Financial Crime. Sinha will lead the association’s payments, cash management and financial crime-focused policy initiatives, as well as support its related councils and committees.

Sinha will work to advance the goals of the payments and cash management industry through standardization, defining best practices and developing usable industry data. She will also be responsible for formulating policy recommendations and educating industry stakeholders including practitioners, regulators, policymakers and the broader business community.

“I’m excited for Deepa to join BAFT,” said Tod Burwell, President & CEO, BAFT. “Her experience in corporate treasury and consulting roles provides her with a unique perspective on critical cash management and financial crime issues that affect our members. With the rapid pace of change in this space, her experience will be quite valuable in driving issues forward.”

Prior to joining BAFT, Sinha accumulated more than 25 years of treasury and cash management experience at both corporations and banks. She formerly served as Treasurer at Caliburn International, now Acuity International, where she oversaw cash forecasting, working capital and debt management, and implemented policies and banking technology to support all core treasury functions. As the Associate Vice President of Banking Operations and Relationships at the Carlyle Group, she developed the cash management, FX and banking platforms, and built and managed the infrastructure for multicurrency cash management across 5,000+ bank accounts at more than 100 global banks. She also served on both the JPMorgan Chase Treasury and Wells Fargo Treasury Advisory Councils. Sinha is a graduate of George Mason University where she received a bachelor’s degree in government and global systems management.

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

Follow Us: @BAFT

BAFT Announces Future Leaders Program Class of 2022

BAFT ‘s Future Leaders Program Class of 2022 includes 35 individuals from 22 countries representing a variety of disciplines within transaction banking.

WASHINGTON — BAFT, the leading global financial services association for international transaction banking, announced today its Future Leaders Program class of 2022. Now in its seventh year, the program recognizes upcoming talent in the global transaction banking industry.

Nominated by their respective institutions, the class of 2022 includes 35 individuals from 22 countries across six continents representing a variety of disciplines within transaction banking. There are three member institutions participating for the first time and three new countries, Djibouti, Finland and Uganda represented in the class of 2022.

This year’s group will be divided into five project teams to address current industry issues including commercializing data, CBDCs, sustainability, digitizing trade finance, and ISO 20022.

The class of 2022 will start their program virtually in January and will conclude at BAFT’s Global Annual Meeting in May. Several future leader council members will support the current class as mentors, joining BAFT board members who will continue to serve as project sponsors.

“We’re excited to welcome another diverse class of Future Leaders into the program,” said Tod Burwell, President & CEO, BAFT. “Over the past several years, it’s been encouraging to see the growth of our Future Leaders Program, which now boasts 180 alumni from every continent. We’ve also seen the growth of alumni members into more senior leadership roles in transaction banking, leaving no doubt that the program is fulfilling its mission.”

BAFT congratulates the following individuals who were selected to this year’s program:

  • Aluwani Thenga, Rand Merchant Bank
  • Attia Salim, ING Bank
  • Raphaël Scemama, Societe Generale
  • Devon Falvey, Citibank
  • Khaled Berto, African Export-Import Bank
  • Romain d’Apolito, UniCredit
  • Tomas Zaleckas, SEB
  • Dejna Zunic, Royal Bank of Canada (RBC)
  • Ahmad Hamza Hashmi, International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation
  • David Willacy, StoneX Group
  • Roselyn Najjuma, Standard Chartered Bank
  • Tuomas Autero, Nordea Bank
  • Farid Al-Masri, Arab Bank
  • Nadine Ghandour, BNP Paribas
  • Akshat Jain, ANZ Banking Group
  • Brandon Wells, Goldman Sachs
  • Cyril Finan, Deutsche Bank
  • Martin Cortazar Mueller, UBS
  • Valentina Polimeno, Intesa Sanpaolo
  • William Murray, Fulton Bank
  • Kishore Kotian, Barclays Bank
  • Mohit Mehtaji, HSBC Bank
  • Jon Boran, Lloyds Bank
  • Ayah Al-Hneiti, The Housing Bank for Trade and Finance
  • Farid Samadov, Kapital Bank
  • Himath Kithsiri, Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank
  • Ricardo Pacheco, City National Bank
  • Viktoria Rudoj, Commerzbank
  • Leos Hruz, BBVA
  • Alejandra Basañez Coppola, Banco Mercantil del Norte (Banorte)
  • Katherine (Katie) Belchere, PNC Bank
  • Marie Mohmand, Swedbank
  • Min Jeong Chae, Bank of Montreal (BMO)
  • Anum Chaudhary, Bank of America
  • Elmi Gabobe, CAC International Bank

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