Soneri Bank's Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of Atif Bajwa as the new President and Chief Executive Officer of the bank. He will be taking over from Safar Ali K Lakhani who will retire after serving for 19 years as the President and Chief Executive Officer.
With over 28 years of rich banking experience, Atif Bajwa has served in banks in Europe, the US, the Far East as well as Pakistan. Having started his career in Citibank Karachi as a corporate banker in 1982, he handled different assignments with Citi in Pakistan, New York and Bahrain. He joined ABN Amro Bank and was appointed Country Manager of Pakistan in 1995.
In 1998, he moved to Singapore as the Consumer Banking Head for Asia Pacific and subsequently was assigned as an EVP at ABN Amro's Head Office in Amsterdam. In mid 2001, he returned to Citibank as the Regional Head for Central and Eastern Europe. In 2005, he moved to Dubai with MashreqBank to manage the Retail and Small Business Group. In 2007 he returned to Pakistan and till June 2010 he was President and Chief Executive Officer for MCB Bank Limited.
The appointment of Bajwa, with his strong background and reputation, signals an important positive shift in the future growth strategy of the Bank. He brings with him skills in business management, relationships, acquisitions, strategy development and effective execution, which are expected to prove very valuable in delivering improved performance in the coming years. He has also been mandated by the Board to take measures to further strengthen the Bank's corporate governance, modernise its operations, improve efficiency and service quality.
Bajwa is expected to take up his position as the Bank's President with effect from the date the State Bank of Pakistan gives approval for his appointment. The Board also recognised the invaluable services of Lakhani, who led the bank since inception and has built it to its current level of size, strength and reputation. His dedication, professionalism and hard work have been deeply appreciated.-PR