Bassam Salem

Chief Executive Officer Asia Pacific

Citi Private Bank

Profile:

Bassam Salem is a Private Banking and Asset Management veteran with 30 years of experience in launching and building businesses, client servicing, risk management and product innovation.

In his role as Region Head of Citi Private Bank, he oversees 13 markets and 650 professionals that serve one third of Asia’s (ex-Japan) billionaires.

Prior to this, he was a Partner and CEO Middle East & India for EFG Bank, as well as Investment Head for Asia Pacific. During his decade with the Swiss bank, he started and managed their Investment Division, helped to list it on the Swiss Stock Exchange, headed their Singapore office and started the Bangkok and Jakarta offices. He also launched EFG’s Middle East business in Dubai and led the way for the bank’s expansion by opening offices in Bahrain and Abu Dhabi and leading the acquisition of Strategic Securities in Mumbai which gave the firm a foothold in India.

Beginning his career in 1981 at Bank of Boston in Geneva, Bassam joined Citi Private Bank in 1985. During his 15 years with Citi Private Bank, he worked in several positions in Europe, Asia and the United States, including Investment Head for both Asia Pacific and the Europe/Middle East/Africa Division. He was also Product Head in Switzerland, Private Banking Head for Asia Pacific and Division Executive for Global Investment Services in New York where he oversaw asset management, investment advisory, FX, brokerage and product management.

Bassam has an MBA from the Sorbonne University in Paris.

The latest articles from Bassam Salem

Strategy & Practice Management

A matter of good business sense The wave of private banking consolidation in Asia highlights the shortcomings of the traditional model today. For those who want to stay in the business, they must understand the unique formula that underscores profitability and factors in the interests of several key stakeholders, says Bassam Salem....

The latest events from Bassam Salem

The latest event content from Bassam Salem

Strategy & Practice Management

Boutique wealth managers vs big private banks - who’s best? Structural challenges for international private banks are carving ever-wider openings for more niche, independent players. But firms – and fee models – still need to be assessed on their own merits, debate business leaders from both sides of the fence..