CYPRUS: Hellenic gets ECB approval for CEO

The European Central Bank has approved the appointment of Mr Bert Pijls as the Chief Executive Officer of Hellenic Bank.

Mr. Pijls, who was appointed by Hellenic Bank’s Board of Directors for the above position on 7th November 2014, was granted the supervisory authorities’ approval and as from today he officially assumes office duties. It’s remarkably noted, that Mr Pijls is the first bank Chief Executive Officer, to receive such verification and approval of the newly established Single Supervisory Mechanism (SSM).

A Dutch national, Mr. Pijls has over 20 years banking experience. Specifically, he held positions in the financial services sector in the England, USA, German, Czech and Belgium, primarily with Citigroup and American Express.
He served as Managing Director at Citigroup EMEA in London, deputising to the CEO with responsibility for re-engineering operations to improve expense-to-revenue ratios. Earlier roles at Citigroup include CEO at Egg and Managing Director of Consumer Banking in the UK, as well as Country Manager for Consumer and SME Banking in the Czech Republic.

He holds a Bachelor Degree in Business Administration from Nijenrode University, the Netherlands, and a Master of International Management from The American Graduate School of International Management (Thunderbird), Phoenix, Arizona.