Hisham Ezz Al-Arab Receives the “Lifetime Achievement Award” from Global Finance in Washington
Hisham Ezz Al-Arab, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Board Member of Commercial International Bank – Egypt (CIB), has received the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award from Global Finance magazine during a special ceremony held in Washington, D.C., on the sidelines of the IMF and World Bank Annual Meetings.
This recognition represents the highest individual honor granted by the publication, celebrating Al-Arab’s outstanding leadership and his transformative contributions to the Egyptian banking sector, as well as his pivotal role in strengthening CIB’s position as a leading financial institution both locally and regionally.
Global Finance had previously announced in March 2025 that Hisham Ezz Al-Arab would receive its Lifetime Achievement Award, in recognition of his visionary leadership and exceptional impact in setting new standards of excellence and innovation across the industry.
Joseph D. Giarraputo, Founder and Editorial Director of Global Finance, stated:
“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. 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.”
Al-Arab led CIB as Chairman and Managing Director from 2002 to 2020, during which the bank’s market capitalization surged from $200 million to over $6 billion, solidifying its position as one of the most successful banks in the region.
In 2020, he stepped aside from CIB’s management and launched HE Advisory, a consulting firm focused on supporting organizations — particularly fintech companies — in risk management, growth strategies, and fundraising.
In 2022, Al-Arab returned to CIB as a Non-Executive Board Member, spearheading the bank’s ambitious expansion strategy in Eastern Africa. He was later appointed Chairman in 2023, and subsequently reappointed as CEO in September 2024, reaffirming his leadership role in driving the bank’s continued focus on digital transformation, sustainability, and regional growth.
Beyond his banking career, Al-Arab serves as Chairman of the CIB Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving health and nutrition for underprivileged children across Egypt, reflecting his enduring commitment to sustainable development and social responsibility.
Before joining CIB in 1999, Al-Arab held senior positions at several leading international financial institutions, including Merrill Lynch, Deutsche Bank, and J.P. Morgan in London, marking a distinguished career spanning over four decades in global banking and finance.
