Global Finance magazine has recognised Hisham Ezz Al-Arab, Chief Executive Officer and a board member of Egypt’sCommercial International Bank (CIB), with its Lifetime Achievement Award, the publication’s highest individual honour.
“Hisham Ezz Al-Arab’s visionary leadership has had a transformational impact on Egypt’s banking sector, and has elevated CIB into a globally recognized institution and the country’s most successful private-sector bank,” said Joseph D. Giarraputo, founder and editorial director of Global Finance. “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 Chairperson and Managing Director of CIB from 2002 to 2020. During his leadership, the bank’s market capitalisation grew to over $6bn from $200m.
In 2020, Ezz Al-Arab stepped away from CIB and launched HE Advisory, a consulting firm aimed at supporting organisations, particularly fintech companies, in risk management, growth strategies, and fundraising.
He returned to CIB in 2022 as a non-executive director of the board, leading the bank’s expansion strategy in Eastern Africa. He was subsequently named Chairperson of CIB in 2023 and was reappointed as CEO in September 2024, reinforcing his leadership role at the bank. His vision continues to shape CIB’s strategy, with a focus on digital transformation, sustainability, and regional growth.
Beyond his work in banking, Ezz Al-Arab also chairs the CIB Foundation, a non-profit organisation dedicated to improving health and nutrition for underprivileged children across Egypt.
Before joining CIB in 1999, Ezz Al-Arab held senior positions with Merrill Lynch, Deutsche Bank, and JP Morgan in London.
