FIBA, a global trade association whose membership includes most of the largest financial institutions in the world who are active in correspondent banking, trade finance and international wealth management/private banking services, has elected its new Board of Directors to be headed by President-elect George de F. Crosby. Mr. Crosby will serve during the 2013-2014 fiscal year and has served as First Vice President of FIBA for the past year as well as chaired the Wealth Management Committee for the past 8 years. He will take office on July 1st for a one-year-term, succeeding Grisel Vega of Bci Miami Branch.
Mr. Crosby is a Managing Director and Group Head for Brazil at HSBC Private Bank International overseeing a team of bankers in Miami and New York. He is responsible for developing the Brazilian market strategy for the U.S. and is part of the Brazil Global Market Management team. Mr. Crosby is on the Board of HSBC Private Bank International in Miami.
Several areas contribute to the success of this forum, foremost of which are the constituency of it membership comprised due to the bankers, brokers, financial industry attorneys, accountants and consultants in the hemisphere. During his term, he will aim to achieve important goals focusing on four key areas:
- FIBA Wealth Management Forum in September 16-17. A recent study showed that Miami is one of the top ten cities for global wealth management in the world. And with this in mind, FIBA is the right organization to showcase the future of our wealth management industry by hosting the first annual FIBA Wealth Management Forum in September.
- The new FIBA Private Banking and Wealth Management Series. This initiative is lead by FIBA and the Private Banking Committee and the intention is to bring together not only bankers but also brokers and other practitioners. We focus on education, best practices and networking as these are all keys to sustaining our business.
- Advocacy. FIBA has successfully taken important steps forward to have our voice heard in Washington and Tallahassee and we are recognized as the voice of the industry on international banking issues. The importance of working closely with the regulators for the benefit of our industry continues to be a key priority for us. With this, FIBA will maintain open lines of communication between the private and public sectors.
- Preparing the next generation of banking leaders. FIBA’s role in providing relevant training programs and networking to ensure that we strengthen our next generation’s skills and vision is a key. This initiative is being well executed by the FIBA Young Professionals Committee through programs and after work happy hour activities. Few organizations offer their members so much in terms of information and knowledge sharing opportunities.