Chairman of Board of Directors
Mr. Firas Salman's experience in banking and commercial fields has exceeded 20 years, during which he held several senior management positions within the local and international banking sector, as well as chairing and serving on the boards of directors of a number of banks, companies and commercial bodies. Mr. Salman holds a Master's degree in Economics and Business Administration from the Egyptian American International University.Vice - Chairman of the Board
Mr. Abdulilah Al-Malouhi has experience spanning more than 20 years, mostly in banking, real estate construction, financial management and auditing with major local and regional companies, during which he held several senior management positions as well as consulting positions for some companies. His career included serving on the boards of directors of many local companies in various economic sectors. Mr. Al-Malouhi holds a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce and Economics, majoring in Accounting from Damascus University. He also obtained a U.S. Chartered Accountant's Certificate and a license to practice the profession from the State of New Hampshire in the United States, as well as a Certified Islamic Accountant Certificate (CIPA) from the Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions (AAOIFI) in Bahrain. Mr. Abdulilah Al-Malouhi Member of the Board of Directors PIC Mr. Abdulilah Al-Malouhi has experience spanning more than 20 years, mostly in banking, real estate construction, financial management and auditing with major local and regional companies, during which he held several senior management positions as well as consulting positions for some companies. His career included serving on the boards of directors of many local companies in various economic sectors. Mr. Al-Malouhi holds a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce and Economics, majoring in Accounting from Damascus University. He also obtained a U.S. Chartered Accountant's Certificate and a license to practice the profession from the State of New Hampshire in the United States, as well as a Certified Islamic Accountant Certificate (CIPA) from the Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions (AAOIFI) in Bahrain.Member of the Board of Directors
Mr. Samer Bakdash has more than 36 years of professional and administrative experience, during which he held several senior management positions within engineering, commercial and insurance sectors, most recently he held the position as delegated member in the Board of Directors of Syrian National Insurance Company. Mr. Bakdash holds a Bachelor's degree in Electronics Engineering from Damascus UniversityMember of the Board of Directors
The banking experience of Mr. Karim Khwanda spans more than 15 years, mostly in banking, international trade and entrepreneurship, during which he held many positions and served on boards of directors in the commercial companies’ sector, as well as previously serving on the board of directors of the British Syrian Society. Mr. Khwanda holds a Master's degree in Economics and Business Administration from the University of San Francisco, and a Master's degree in Sustainable Urban Development from Oxford University.Member of the Board of Directors
Dr. Rania Al-Zarir has more than 15 years of management experience in the fields of university education and its development, during which she held many positions, the Dean of the Faculty of Administrative Sciences at Al-Sham Private University, in addition to her work as the Head of Banking and Insurance Division at the Faculty of Economics, Damascus University, besides serving as a member of the Board of Directors of the Banking Training Center of the Central Bank of Syria, most recently she held the position of Vice President of Al-Sham Private University for Administrative Affairs. Her researches, published in major local and regional newspapers and magazines, she has focused on many issues related to investment, risks, accounting standards and assessing the quality of banks and companies’ performance, as well as university books published at Damascus University in the fields of banking, insurance, and financial and administrative control. Dr. Al-Zarir holds a PhD in Economics, specializing in banking accounting from Damascus University.Member of the Board of Directors
Mr. Iyad Al-Khatib has over 20 years of experience spanning the economic and commercial fields, import and export activities, technical consultancy for projects and quality control, during which he held several senior management positions. Mr. Al-Khatib holds a Bachelor's degree in Economics, majoring in Accounting, from Sudan University of Science and Technology.Member of the Board of Directors
Mr. Hakam Abdallah has over 20 years of professional experience in the economic and commercial fields, in financial and accounting consultancy for projects and companies, during which he held several senior management positions. Mr. Abdallah holds a Bachelor's degree in Commerce and Economics, majoring in Accounting, from Aleppo University in the Syrian Arab Republic, as well as a certificate of a Syrian Chartered Accountant, in addition to obtaining a diploma from international academies in the fields of integrating technology in education and ensuring negotiation, arbitration, protocols and communication in accordance with international ISO standards.Member of the Board of Directors
Mr. Mohammad Al-Kilani has 15 years of experience in financial, economic, commercial and logistic fields, during which he held several management positions. He also previously served as a member of the Board of Directors in major local commercial companies, as well as his participation in many Local and international financial and banking conferences and workshops. Mr. Al-Kilani holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics, majoring in Accounting, from Tishreen University in Latakia Governorate.Chief Executive Officer
Mr. Hussein Sharaf joined the Syria Gulf Bank family in 2020 and has been serving as the CEO of Syria Gulf Bank since November 2023, after previously holding the position of Deputy Of Chief Executive Officer since March 2021 With more than 16 years of banking experience, Mr. Sharaf expertise lies mainly in Islamic banking, financial and credit analysis, risk assessment, economic feasibility studies for projects, strategic planning, and restructuring. He began his professional career at the Syria International Islamic Bank in September 2007, where he worked in various departments, particularly in the financial and commercial aspects of central operations. He played a pivotal role in restructuring and developing the financial institutions' department through his extensive experience in credit analysis of correspondent banks, country risk assessment, and determining the feasibility of dealing with them based on the latest international methodologies and standards. Mr. Sharaf also worked on following up on legal proceedings with a lawyer in Europe, which resulted in lifting the European sanctions imposed on the Syria International Islamic Bank by the European Union Council. This has given him both academic and practical experience in international laws related to finance, as well as contributing to following up on legal procedures with the bank's lawyer in the United States to lift the aforementioned sanctions imposed by the Office of Foreign Assets Control. He actively participated in restructuring and developing some of the operational and regulatory departments of the Syria International Islamic Bank, as well as preparing policies and strategic plans to develop the bank's business according to global banking best practices. Mr. Sharaf also prepared economic feasibility studies for establishing two local banks and contributed significantly to preparing most of their policies and work procedures. He holds a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the Faculty of Economics at Damascus University and a master's degree in banking science from the Arab Academy for Financial and Banking Sciences in Damascus.Deputy of Chief Executive Officer
With more than 19 years of banking experience in branch and retail operations, Mr. Mohammad Shadi El-Ado began his professional career at MTN Communications in 2003 before moving to Arab Bank Syria in 2006. He joined the Syria Gulf Bank family in 2009 and has progressed through the managerial ranks to currently serve as the Deputy of Chief Executive Officer, overseeing retail operations, branches, and electronic services. Mr. EL-Ado has undergone numerous training courses in leadership skills, training, strategic management, executive management, and financial analysis. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Information Technology from the Syrian Virtual University and a Master's degree in Business Administration with a specialization in Operations Management from the Higher Institute of Business Administration (HIBA).Deputy of Chief Executive Officer
With more than 17 years of banking experience, Mr. Nadim Hiswany began his professional career in credit execution and monitoring at Arab Bank Syria in 2005, where he was part of the team of employees selected for a six-month leadership training program at the parent company in Jordan. He then moved to Qatar National Bank- Syria for 9 years, where he progressed through various positions within the risk department, with his last role being Market Risk Manager. Mr. Hiswany joined the Syria Gulf Bank family in September 2020 as an Executive Manager responsible for bank credit Department. He participated in establishing a local bank before joining Syria Gulf Bank and played an active role in developing most of the bank's policies and procedures. He is also one of the key members of the team working to lift sanctions imposed by the European Union on a group of businessmen and major companies. Mr. Hiswany holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the Faculty of Economics at Damascus University and a Master's degree in Financial Management from the Arab Academy for Financial and Banking Sciences in Damascus.Assistant CEO HR& Administration Affairs
Mr. Iyad Al-Kafri has over 25 Years of Professional Experience Including 14 Years working within the public banking sector, He began his career in 1999, during which he held several senior executive and administrative position and in various fields of specialization, mostly focused on legal affairs, planning, strategic development, and financing small and medium projects. Mr. Al-Kafri participated in the membership of many committees concerned with all aspects related to the activities and business of banks, representing the public and private banking sectors, and also contributed to the drafting of many relevant legislative instructions and decrees. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in law from Damascus University in 2003Assistant Chief Executive Officer for Central Operations
With more than 14 years of local banking experience, Mr. Abdullah Idlebi has held various managerial positions, mostly focused on regulatory affairs, internal control environment, and corporate governance. He began his professional career in 2008 at Bank Audi Syria and then moved to Arab Bank Syria for almost 9 years, where he progressed through various positions, with his last role being Deputy Manager of Branch Operations Control Department. Mr. Idlebi served as the Secretary of the Board and its committees at Syria Gulf Bank since late 2017 and later became the Assistant Chief Executive Officer for Board and Shareholders Affairs, where he played a key role in enhancing corporate governance at the bank by managing and developing the bank's compliance with sound governance practices, organizing the board and its committees' work, ensuring effective performance of board members' duties and responsibilities, improving communication among the board, committees, and executive management, monitoring decisions and directions taken, ensuring compliance with required remediation, accelerating work pace, maintaining accuracy in regulatory matters, aligning with best governance practices, and ensuring positive relations with shareholders. Mr. Idlebi has been serving as the Assistant Chief Executive Officer for Central Operations at Syria Gulf Bank since August 2022. He has undergone several local and regional training courses in risk management, internal audit, compliance, new corporate governance strategies, financial analysis, international trade services, and administrative leadership skills. Mr. Idlebi holds a Bachelor's degree in Insurance and Banking from the Faculty of Economics at Damascus University.Chief Compliance Officer
Mr. Youssef Murad serves as the Chief Compliance Officer at Syria Gulf Bank, with more than 15 years of practical experience in the banking sector. He played a pivotal role in establishing the bank's compliance department since 2011. He joined Syria Gulf Bank in 2008 and has held various administrative positions within branch operations and internal audit management. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Business and Management with a specialization in Finance and Banks from Al-Qalamoun Private University, as well as a Master's degree in Business Administration with a specialization in Financial Management from the Higher Institute of Business Administration (HIBA).Finance Executive Manager
Miss Yara Shaheen is considered one of the founding members of Syria Gulf Bank since she joined in 2007. She currently holds the position of Executive Manager of Financial Affairs with more than 15 years of banking experience, most of which was within the financial sector of the bank. She holds a university degree in Accounting from the Faculty of Economics at Damascus University, as well as a Master's degree in Financial Management from the Higher Institute of Business Administration (HIBA).Internal Audit Executive Manager
Mrs. Ruba Abdulmajid serves as the Executive Manager of Internal Audit Department at Syria Gulf Bank, with more than 16 years of practical experience in the banking sector, gaining diverse banking expertise through accounting work and branch operations within traditional and Islamic banking sectors. She joined Syria Gulf Bank in 2014 and has held various administrative positions, mostly focusing on regulatory affairs at the bank. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Economics, specializing in Banks and Insurance from Damascus University, as well as a Master's degree in Business Administration from the Syrian Virtual University, and a Certified Public Accountant certificate from the Ministry of Finance.Risk Executive Manager
Mr. Louay Othman joined Syria Gulf Bank in May 2021 as the Manager of Risk Management Department, with more than 13 years of financial and banking experience. He worked for five years at the International Bank for Trade and Finance in several positions, including Deputy Manager of Compliance Department. He then held the position of Manager of Internal Audit at Al Wataniya Microfinance Bank for over a year before joining Syria Gulf Bank. Currently, Mr. Othman serves as the Executive Manager of Risk Department since April 2022. He has undergone various local and regional training courses in risk Department, internal audit, compliance, and financial analysis. Mr. Othman holds a Bachelor's degree in Accounting from Damascus University.- Financial Control Executive Manager
Mr. Mohammed Samer El-Moughrabi joined Syria Gulf Bank in 2021 as the Executive Manager of Financial Control Department, with more than 21 years of experience in financial specialties, including 18 years of work within the financial management of MTN Syria. He holds a diploma in advanced studies in accounting for financial institutions from Damascus University - Faculty of Economics as well as a Master's degree in Financial Management from the Arab Academy for Financial and Banking Sciences.Trade Finance Manager
Mrs. Mohjat Bairkdar has more than 15 years of professional experience in the local banking sector, holding various positions within the Central Operations Management and specifically Trade Finance . She began her banking career at the Syria Islamic International Bank since its establishment in 2007, progressing through different job positions within the Central Operations Department with her last position being Guarantees Department Manager. She contributed alongside her team in developing policies and procedures for Central Operations Department for a local bank under establishment. She joined Syria Gulf Bank in 2020, where she played a key role in restructuring the Trade Finance Department. and training many newly graduated employees. Mrs. Bairkdar also underwent several local and international training courses in various fields of Central Operations department (Letter of Credit, Bills of collection and letter of guarantees). She holds a Bachelor's degree in Accounting from the Faculty of Economics - University of Damascus.Executive of Treasury Investment and Financial Institution Managment
Mr. Asad Al-Tayer holds the position of Executive of Treasury Investment and Financial Institution Managment Department at Syria Gulf Bank, with eleven years of banking experience in treasury, investment, monitoring and analysis of financial markets, short and long-term investments, studying local and global exchange rates, as well as preparing and monitoring pricing plans and strategies and managing emergency liquidity. Mr. Al-Tayer began his banking career at Syria Gulf Bank in June 2011, progressing through several positions before moving to work as Head of Foreign Exchange Unit at Qatar National Bank -Syria in September 2018, and then returning to the Syria Gulf Bank family in December 2020. He holds a university degree in Information Technology Engineering from Al-Qalamoun Private University, as well as a Master's degree in Business Administration with a specialization in Financial Management from the Higher Institute of Business Administration (HIBA).Retail Manager
Mr. Fadi Sarkis joined Syria Gulf Bank in February 2009, with more than 15 years of professional experience in the banking sector, including more than 13 years in various administrative positions. He gradually progressed through different job positions, most recently serving as Corporate Relationship Manager before assuming the role of Retail Management Manager. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration with a specialization in Finance and Banks from Al-Qalamoun Private University in 2007.Information Technology Manager
Mr. Median Jahjah Bahsas joined Syria Gulf Bank in 2019, with more than 20 years of experience in the field of communications and information technology, qualifying him to hold the position of Information Technology Management Manager. Mr. Median participated in the implementation and supervision of several projects, such as the Optical Backbone Network project with Ericsson Sweden, the TSSP project to support the telecommunications sector in Syria with Detecon Germany consultant Company, and the Customer Care and Billing System project (CCBS) with Alcatel France. He also held several technical positions in the Syrian Telecommunications Company and worked with many local and international companies to complete a number of important technical projects. He attended many specialized courses at international training centers in France, Italy, India, Egypt, and Jordan. Mr. Median Bahsas holds a Bachelor's degree in Information Technology and a Master's degree in Technology Management from the Syrian Virtual University.Financial Services Manager
Mr. Rani Al-Attar holds the position of Financial Services Department Manager at Syria Gulf Bank, with more than 13 years of experience in the financial accounting field. He began his banking career in 2009 at the Syria Islamic International Bank and progressed through various administrative positions, with his last role being the supervisor of the Financial Services Department. He joined Syria Gulf Bank in late 2020. Mr. Al-Attar holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the Faculty of Economics at Yarmouk University in Jordan. He has also worked for several external companies in the financial accounting field.Corporate Manager
Mrs. Manar Khalil joined the Syria Gulf Bank team in 2007, starting her professional career as an employee in the Credit Facilities Execution Department under the Central Operations Management. She then worked in the Corporate Department, which gave her further practical skills in financial analysis and creditworthiness assessment of clients. Currently, Ms. Manar Khalil holds the position of Corporate Department Manager at Syria Gulf Bank, with more than 15 years of banking experience focused on corporate finance.Credit Control Manager
Mrs. Salam Saloum serves as the Credit Control Department Manager at Syria Gulf Bank, with more than 14 years of practical experience in the banking sector. She began her work at the bank at the end of 2009, and has undergone numerous specialized training courses to acquire various banking experiences in branches working, risk management, and all aspects of credit management, including Management, Implementation, and Review. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration – Finance and Investment Department from Tishreen University.Bank of the Year Syria - The Banker Awards 2009