The Arab Bankers Association (ABA) is looking forward to further expansion in 2011 following a surge in membership through 2010, CEO George Kanaan stated in his report to the Annual General Meeting on 14 December 2010.

The AGM, chaired by Acting Chairman Nofal Barbar (CEO & MD, ABC International Bank plc, London), noted the great diversity of events that had been organised through 2010 either directly under the aegis of the ABA or through partners and associates. 

Membership in all three categories -- Junior, Individual and Corporate -- increased during the year. Current projections call for at least double the current numbers in most categories.

The current membership roll stands at 21 for Junior members, 150 for Individual Members and 26 Corporate Members.

Seven new directors join the board following the AGM's approval of their nominations. They are: Amr Turk (BLOM), Farid Barakat (NBAD), Jawad Ali (King & Spalding), Mahmoud Difrawy (Chase Morgan), Hani Kablawi (BNY Mellon), Sharef Shalabi (BACB) and Duncan Steele-Bodger (Emirates NBD).