First Abu Dhabi Bank appoints new International Banking head

UAE lender First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) has appointed Clarence Singam-Zhou to the newly created role of Head of International Banking, subject to final regulatory approvals.

FAB’s international network spans five continents, offering the relationships, expertise and financial strength required to support local, regional and international businesses seeking to operate at home and abroad.

Clarence Singam-Zhou has been associated with the bank since 2015, most recently serving as regional CEO of Asia and country CEO for Singapore.

His previous professional stints include working at Westpac Banking Corporation, PwC, Rabobank, Maquarie Securities and Temasek Holdings.

He will begin his new role from March 1, 2021.

In an attempt to accelerate its global expansion, FAB signed a definitive agreement to acquire 100 per cent of the share capital of Bank Audi sae, Bank Audi’s subsidiary in Egypt.

Read more: First Abu Dhabi Bank acquires 100% of Bank Audi Egypt’s share capital

This followed the opening of a representative office in Jakarta, Indonesia in December 2020, and the establishment of a branch network in Saudi Arabia in 2019.

Read: UAE lender FAB opens Jakarta office to facilitate regional trade

Based in Abu Dhabi, Clarence Singam-Zhou will work to implement the group’s international business strategies in collaboration with the other executives.

Fadel Al Ali, deputy group CEO and head of corporate and investment banking at FAB, said: “We are very pleased to promote Clarence Singam-Zhou to the new position of head of International Banking at FAB. Already established as the UAE’s largest bank, FAB is fully committed to achieving strong and sustainable international growth as part of a global strategy. As new developments increase both the scale and complexity of our international operations, it is timely for us to create a new leadership role specifically focused on this increasingly important aspect of our business.”

“I feel hugely privileged to have contributed to FAB’s success in Singapore and Asia during the past five years, and of all we have achieved together in that time,” said Clarence Singam-Zhou.

“I feel that my new appointment is a positive reflection on the whole Asia team and the high benchmark for excellence that we have set. I look forward to new challenges, and to making a vital contribution to FAB’s success across all the markets where we operate as we grow stronger together.”

Last month, FAB appointed Hana Al Rostamani as group chief executive officer, promoting a woman to the top leadership position in a male-dominated sector.

Read more: Abu Dhabi lender FAB names Hana Al Rostamani as first female CEO