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02 February 2021

FAB appoints Clarence Singam-Zhou as Head of International Banking

Abu Dhabi, 02 February 2021: First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB), the UAE’s largest bank and one of the world’s largest and safest financial institutions, 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, providing the global relationships, expertise and financial strength to support local, regional and international businesses seeking to do business at home and abroad. Clarence Singam-Zhou has been with the bank since 2015, most recently serving as Regional CEO of Asia and Country CEO for Singapore.

FAB is accelerating its targeted global expansion having recently signed a definitive agreement to acquire 100% of the share capital of Bank Audi sae, Bank Audi’s subsidiary in Egypt. 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.

Based in Abu Dhabi, Clarence Singam-Zhou will work to implement the group’s international business strategies in close collaboration with the heads of the Corporate Investment Banking Group and Personal Banking Group and individual Country CEOs.

Fadel Al Ali, Deputy Group CEO & Head of Corporate & 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. Clarence has demonstrated that he is absolutely the best person for this role.”

Clarence Singam-Zhou, Head of International Banking, said: “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. 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.”

Clarence Singam-Zhou has spent his career in the financial services industry and previously worked for Westpac Banking Corporation, PwC, Rabobank, Maquarie Securities and Temasek Holdings. He holds a Bachelor of Laws & Bachelor of Economics degree from Monash University, a Masters in Applied Psychology from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore and a Post-Graduate Diploma in Organisational Leadership from Oxford University. He will begin his new role from 1 March 2021.