Global Finance has awarded Hisham Ezz Al-Arab, Chairperson and CEO of Egypt’s Commercial International Bank (CIB), its Lifetime Achievement Award. The award is the publication’s highest individual honour.
Joseph D. Giarraputo, Founder and Editorial Director of Global Finance, said Ezz Al-Arab’s leadership had a transformational impact on Egypt’s banking sector.
“Hisham Ezz Al-Arab’s visionary leadership has had a transformational impact on Egypt’s banking sector, and has elevated CIB into a globally recognised institution and the country’s most successful private-sector bank,” said Giarraputo. “His commitment to innovation and excellence has set new benchmarks in the industry, making him a truly deserving recipient of Global Finance’s Lifetime Achievement Award.”
Ezz Al-Arab served as Chairman and Managing Director of CIB from 2002 to 2020. During that time, the bank’s market capitalization increased from $200m to over $6bn.
In 2020, Ezz Al-Arab stepped aside from CIB and launched HE Advisory, a consulting firm focused on supporting organisations, particularly fintech companies, in risk management, growth strategies and fundraising.
He returned to CIB in 2022 as a non-executive director, leading the bank’s expansion strategy in Eastern Africa. In 2023, Ezz Al-Arab was named Chairman of CIB, and in September 2024, he was reappointed as CEO, reinforcing his leadership role. His vision continues to shape CIB’s strategy, which has a focus on digital transformation, sustainability and regional growth.
Before joining CIB in 1999, Ezz Al-Arab held senior positions with Merrill Lynch, Deutsche Bank, and JP Morgan in London.
Beyond his banking career, Ezz Al-Arab is also involved in social causes. He chairs the CIB Foundation, a non-profit organisation that aims to improve health and nutrition for underprivileged children across Egypt.
