This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily on May 15, 2018

KUALA LUMPUR: RHB Bank Bhd confirmed yesterday it is hiring Malaysia Airlines Bhd’s chief financial officer Omar Siddiq Amin Noer Rashid as its new head for group wholesale banking (GWB), effective June 1.

Omar, 45, will report to group managing director Datuk Khairussaleh Ramli, RHB said in a statement this evening.

Omar will lead the formulation and execution of business strategy for GWB, which covers corporate banking, investment banking, treasury and global markets, client coverage, asset management and private equity.

“His priorities are to drive the performance of GWB, particularly in meeting the needs of our corporate clients across all products. He will also be responsible for the oversight and business performance of the group’s international portfolio in Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, Brunei and Vietnam,” RHB said.

Khairussaleh said Omar brings a wealth of experience and knowledge in corporate and investment banking, which will further strengthen the group’s management bench strength.

“I am delighted to welcome Omar to the senior management team and we look forward to his positive contribution towards achieving our next five-year strategy of FIT22,” he said.

Omar, who has over 20 years’ experience in the areas of finance and investment banking, holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics degree from London School of Economics, and is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants England and Wales. He is also a Chartered Financial Analyst charterholder.

RHB shares closed three sen or 0.57% higher at RM5.30, bringing it a market capitalisation of RM21.25 billion.