The Bankers’ Association for Finance and Trade elected Howard Bascom to lead the organization for the 2009-2010 year at the association’s 87th annual meeting today in Dana Point, Calif. BAFT is a worldwide financial institution trade association dedicated to expanding markets, shaping regulatory and legislative policy, and developing business solutions in order to preserve the safety and soundness of the global financial system.
“Representing BAFT under any circumstances would be an honor, but it’s particularly gratifying given the importance of trade finance services in the current economic climate,” says Bascom, who is managing director of global trade finance and credit services for The Bank of New York Mellon. “The trade finance crisis has underscored the importance of BAFT’s ability as a leadership organization to address the key business areas in which we’re involved on behalf of our global membership. I look forward to working with our members around the world. Together, we will look to reinvigorate international trade and ensure that BAFT continues to drive best practices, improve efficiencies and enhance the way the industry conducts international business.”
Bascom began his career with The Bank of New York Mellon, joining heritage Bank of New York’s international banking operation in 1983. He later headed the North Asia group, with management responsibility for the bank’s correspondent banking business in Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong and China. After service as a senior manager in a number of corporate banking areas, including client relationship management, sales, and credit risk for large corporate retailing companies in the United States and Europe, he was appointed global head of trade finance services in 2002. In his current position as managing director of The Bank of New York Mellon and head of global trade finance and credit services, he is responsible for all aspects of the bank’s trade finance business.
BAFT members also elected Rita Gonzalez as vice chair. Gonzalez is managing director and head of global transaction banking at HSBC. James H. Peterson was re-elected secretary-treasurer. Peterson is managing director for The Northern Trust International Banking Corporation.
Directors elected for one-year terms included:
• Paul F. Oldshue, executive vice president and manager, U.S. Bancorp;
• John Ahearn, managing director, structured trade, asset optimization and EAF, Citi;
• David B. Cooke, group head international trade finance, M&T Bank;
• Kimberly Burdette, vice president and manager, global treasury management, PNC Financial Services Group;
• Jeremy J.O’B. Wilson, vice chairman, Barclays Commercial Bank;
• John W. Campbell, senior partner, Price Waterhouse Coopers; and
• Wolfgang Mersch, managing director and head of global transaction services, TD Bank Financial Group.
Directors elected for two-year terms included:
• David F. Conroy, head of trade finance and cash management, Deutsche Bank AG;
• Howard S. Freeman, CEO, BBVA Securities;
• Mark Garfield, senior vice president, Zions Bank;
• John Rodriguez, senior vice president, Wells Fargo Bank;
• Daisy Pillay, general manager, international financial institutions, Absa Corporate & Business Bank;
• Peter Mack, managing director, Fith Third; and
• Alejandro Pereyra, senior vice president, Bank of America.
Directors elected for three-year terms included:
• Sara K. Joyce, executive managing director, BMO Capital Markets;
• Julio Rojas managing director, Standard Chartered;
• Ian Toone, managing director, RBC;
• Al Carpetto, head of global transaction services, RBS;
• Mike Mckenzie, managing director, JP Morgan;
• Jim Fortsch, vice president, head ECA finance and global supply chain finance, UPS Capital; and
• Whit Knapp, president, Flmetrix.
BAFT’s service members will be represented by John W. Campbell, senior partner at Price Waterhouse Coopers and Whit Knapp, president of Flmetrix.
Outgoing president Chuck Silverman remains on the Board as Chairman of the Nominating Committee. Silverman is managing director at Wachovia/Wells Fargo.
D.C.