ABN AMRO appoints new head of private banking in UAE

In his new role, Mr El Nahas will be responsible for maintaining the fast pace of growth for the private bank's business in the UAE which has doubled in assets under management in the past two years to USD 3 bln.

Mr El Nahas joined ABN AMRO in 1996, and was most recently leading its Multinational Clients division, overseeing inbound corporate business into Singapore. Mr El Nahas will report to the Asian Head of ABN AMRO Private Banking, Barend Janssens and the Country Executive for the UAE, Colin Macdonald.

Mr Janssens commented: "Our international business in the UAE remains a strong engine of growth for Asia. I am confident Hassan will succeed in bringing the Private Bank closer to its goal of becoming a top five bank within four years."

Mr El Nahas said: "I am excited to be joining at an important time of growth in the UAE. I look forward to building on the opportunities that exist for the sector and distinguishing ABN AMRO Private Bank from the field of local and international players through our strong client intimacy and wide product offering."

Mr El Nahas received his Masters of Business Administration and Public Policy from the Harvard Business School and the Kennedy School of Government (Harvard University) respectively.