Gulf International Bank (GIB) has appointed Abdulaziz A. Al-Helaissi as its CEO. Al-Helaissi succeeds GIB’s current CEO Yahya A. Al-Yahya effective from Feb. 1.

Jammaz bin Abdullah Al-Suhaimi, chairman of the board of directors of Gulf International Bank BSC (GIB), announced the new appointment as the board’s decision.

Al-Helaissi brings decades of banking experience to lead GIB in the next phase of its strategy.

Most recently, Al-Helaissi was the deputy governor (supervision) of the Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency (SAMA).

He was also responsible for leading industry-wide strategic initiatives as well as actively contributing to important international banking bodies such as the Bank of International Settlements (BIS) and the Financial Stability Board (FSB).

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 has also sat on a number of major corporate boards in Saudi Arabia, including that of the Saudi stock exchange (Tadawul). Al-Helaissi earned his Bachelor of Arts in economics from the University of Texas, Austin.

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

GIB is owned by the six GCC countries, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund being the major shareholder.

Gulf International Bank (GIB) is a pan-GCC universal bank that specializes in corporate and investment banking and has a growing retail footprint.

In addition to its main subsidiaries, London-based Gulf International Bank (UK) Ltd., and Riyadh-based GIB Capital LLC, it has branches in London, New York, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, Dhahran and Jeddah with representative offices in Dubai and Beirut.