Syed Ali Raza, President National Bank of Pakistan

Mr. S. Ali Raza is the Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of National Bank of Pakistan , the largest Commercial Bank of the country. Mr. Raza is a graduate of the London School of Economics and M.Sc. in Adm. Sciences. Before joining the National Bank of Pakistan in July 2000 as the Bank's President, he held a key management position as Regional Manager, Pakistan , Middle East and North Africa at the Bank of America (BOA).

National Bank of Pakistan is the largest commercial bank operating in Pakistan . Its balance sheet size surpasses that of any of the other banks functioning locally. It has redefined its role and has moved from being a public service organization into a modern commercial bank. The Bank's services are available to individuals, corporate entities and government. NBP has diversified its business portfolio and is today a major player in the debt and equity market, corporate and investment banking, retail and consumer banking, agricultural financing, treasury services and is showing growing interest in promoting and developing the country's small and medium enterprises by increasing the capacity to provide SME specific services, and at the same time fulfilling its social responsibilities.

Under Mr. Raza's leadership, the profit of NBP has increased from Rs 1.0 Billion in 2000 to Rs 28 Billion in 2007. NBP has also earned international recognition and has received a number of prestigious awards. It has received the highest credit rating in the banking sector. JCR - VIS awarded highest standalone credit rating of AAA/A-1+ to NBP. It has been the recipient of The Bank of the Year 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005 and 2008 Award by The Banker Magazine , The Best Foreign Exchange Bank - Pakistan for 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008 by Global Finance, Best Emerging Market Bank from Pakistan for the year 2005 by Global Finance, Best Return on Capital amongst all banks in Asia, 2006 and 2007 by The Banker Magazine, Kissan Time Awards - 2005 for NBP's services in the agriculture field. It is listed amongst the Region's largest banks and also amongst the largest banks in South Asia 2005, The Asian Banker. Besides other awards, it has also been presented a Recognition Award - 2004 for having a Gender Sensitive Management by WEBCOP AASHA.

Mr. S. Ali Raza has been the recipient of a number of prestigious awards. He was awarded ‘The Asian Banker Leadership Achievement Award 2007' by Asian Banker in its issue of June 2007 . He was awarded with a Certificate of Appreciation by the Government of Sindh in October 2007 , in recognition of outstanding and meritorious services rendered for the Country. He was awarded with a Silver Plaque by the Jinnah Society Karachi , in 2006 . In August 2005, Sitara-e-Imtiaz was conferred upon him by the Government of Pakistan for his outstanding contribution in the field of banking. ‘Business Week' of The McGraw Hill Companies' in its July, 2005 edition has adjudged him as one of the twenty five Leaders of Asia at the Forefront of Change and has identified them as Stars of Asia . Mr. Raza's capabilities were recognized by the Institute of Bankers Pakistan when he was awarded a Gold Medal in 2003.

Mr. Raza is the Chairman of the United National Bank UK Limited, a joint venture of United Bank Limited and National Bank of Pakistan, Khushali Bank and CJSC Subsidiary Bank of NBP Kazakhstan.

He is also holding Directorship of many domestic and international organizations like HUB Power Company Ltd, National Investment Trust (NIT), The Institute of Bankers Pakistan, First Women Bank Ltd, Pakistan Textile City Ltd, National Academy of Performing Arts (NAPA), Institute of Business Administration, Karachi (IBA) and Pakistan Sports Trust.