Citi hires a new regional banking head + Salama, Emirates Ins. tap new CFOs

Citi is doubling down on the UAE, tapping Karim Tannir as Middle East and Africa cluster and banking head, to be based in Dubai, according to a press release. Tannir has more than 30 years of experience in the region and joins Citi from HSBC, where he served as head of banking for the Middle East, North Africa, and Turkey. He also worked at JPMorgan for 25 years. Tannir replaces Ebru Pakcan (LinkedIn), who will become COO for International and Legacy Franchises.

REMEMBER- The move is another vote of confidence from Wall Street banks. The bank had reaffirmed its commitment to the region earlier during the conflict after it had shut its offices and most of its branches. Bank of America and Goldman Sachs are also among those who have beefed up their teams in recent weeks.

Ravikanth Petluri (LinkedIn) will become CFO of Salama Islamic Arab Ins. Company (Salama) after the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) cleared the move, according to a press release. Petluri’s regional experience includes tenures as CFO of ins. firm Liva Group in Dubai and as finance manager at Waha Capital, as well as several senior positions at KPMG Lower Gulf.

Emirates Ins. is also making changes to its senior leadership, appointing Jean Claus (LinkedIn) as CFO to replace Aart Lehmkuhl (LinkedIn), who is retiring, according to a disclosure. Claus joins the ins. player from Allianz, where he served as regional CFO for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. His tenure at Allianz also included a five-year stint as CEO of Allianz Trade in the Middle East.