HNB’s Managing Director and CEO, Jonathan Alles was elected Chair of the Asian Bankers Association by its board of directors, at the conclusion of their 35th Annual General Meeting and Conference, held at Kurumba resort in the Maldives, a position he will hold for the two year period 2018 to 2020. Alles takes over the mantle from outgoing Chairman and President of CFTB Financial Institute Taiwan, Daniel Wu. Some 150 Bankers from the Asia Pacific, the Middle-East and other regions gathered in the Maldives for the two day event that provided a valuable platform for the membership to meet and network as well as exchange views on current trends and developments in the regional and global markets that are expected to have a significant impact on the banking and financial sector of the region and how industry players can address the challenges and take full advantage of opportunities presented by these developments. Themed Banking in Asia: the next frontier, the conference saw renowned international speakers from the banking and financial services industry share their insights into technological advancements which are revolutionizing banking in the region. The forum also deliberated the evolving risks faced by the financial industry. Newly elected Chairman Jonathan Alles together with the 23 member Banks that comprise the Board of Directors, adopted its 2018 – 2020 work programme, outlining activities over the next 2 years in the areas of policy advocacy, information exchange, training and professional development, membership expansion and strengthening relationships with other regional and international organizations. He went on to say that he would continue the ABA objectives of providing a forum for advancing the cause of the banking and finance industry in the region and promoting regional economic cooperation. More specifically Alles said projects that would encourage trade, industrial and investment cooperation in Asia Pacific would be an agenda that he would like to drive. Alles was also the chair and moderator of the first plenary session that tackled the topic of technology in banking. As HNB’s Managing Director and CEO, Alles was the Chair of the Sri Lanka Bankers Association, a position he held during the period 12th May 2014 to 16th May 2016. ABA continues to establish linkages with other regional organizations. In particular, ABA aims to strengthen ties with the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum through the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) and continues to provide inputs and recommendations to ABAC on regional cooperation as well as on issues of concern to the private sector in general and the banking industry in particular. Closer working relationship is also constantly being developed with the Pacific Economic Cooperation Council (PECC), the Asian Development Bank, the World Bank, and the Bank for International Settlements. Photo Caption: Newly appointed Chairman Jonathan Alles addresses membership of Asian Bankers Association at the 35th Annual General Meeting
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