Citi appoints Tannir and Pakcan
30 April 2026 UAE, UK
Image: Allistair/peopleimages.com/stock.adobe.com
Citi has appointed Karim Tannir as Middle East and Africa (MEA) cluster and banking head, and Ebru Pakcan as chief operating officer for international and legacy franchises, with both roles effective from August.
The appointments are part of Citi’s strategy to support clients’ cross-border needs through local expertise, global connectivity, and strengthened risk and control frameworks, the firm says.
Tannir will be based in Dubai and will lead Citi’s MEA business across 59 markets.
He will be responsible for driving client strategy, overseeing regional franchise growth, and managing engagement with regulators and key stakeholders.
Most recently, Tannir served as head of banking for the Middle East, North Africa, and Turkey at HSBC.
Prior to this, he spent over 25 years at J.P. Morgan, where he held several senior leadership roles, including vice chairman for EMEA.
Pakcan, who currently serves as MEA cluster and banking head, will transition to the role of chief operating officer for international and legacy franchises.
In this position, she will oversee operating effectiveness, governance, and the continued wind-down of legacy businesses, while supporting growth across Citi’s core franchises.
Pakcan has led Citi’s MEA business for the past five years, during which the firm reported double-digit growth and expanded its presence across the Middle East, Africa, and Central Asia.
She brings experience across global product and management roles, including global head of trade, global head of payments, and head of treasury and trade solutions for EMEA.
Mary McNiff, who is stepping away from her role as chief operating officer for international and legacy franchises, will continue to lead Citi’s expanding firm-wide policy simplification programme
Commenting on the appointments, Ernesto Torres?Cantú, head of International at Citi, says: “As cross?border activity becomes more complex and more critical for our clients, the strength of our international franchise matters more than ever.
“Karim is one of the Middle East’s most respected banking leaders, with strong client relationships and deep regional insight. Alongside Ebru and Mary, this team enhances our ability to grow responsibly while maintaining rigorous risk and controls.”
Vis Raghavan, head of Banking, adds: “The strength of our global banking franchise comes from the depth of experience across our leadership and the consistency with which we show up for clients. Karim brings decades of trusted relationships across the Middle East.
“Our franchise in the region continues to perform with momentum, and we remain committed to the Middle East for the long term. Clients value stability, connectivity, and judgement — and that is exactly what our global network is delivering.”
The appointments are part of Citi’s strategy to support clients’ cross-border needs through local expertise, global connectivity, and strengthened risk and control frameworks, the firm says.
Tannir will be based in Dubai and will lead Citi’s MEA business across 59 markets.
He will be responsible for driving client strategy, overseeing regional franchise growth, and managing engagement with regulators and key stakeholders.
Most recently, Tannir served as head of banking for the Middle East, North Africa, and Turkey at HSBC.
Prior to this, he spent over 25 years at J.P. Morgan, where he held several senior leadership roles, including vice chairman for EMEA.
Pakcan, who currently serves as MEA cluster and banking head, will transition to the role of chief operating officer for international and legacy franchises.
In this position, she will oversee operating effectiveness, governance, and the continued wind-down of legacy businesses, while supporting growth across Citi’s core franchises.
Pakcan has led Citi’s MEA business for the past five years, during which the firm reported double-digit growth and expanded its presence across the Middle East, Africa, and Central Asia.
She brings experience across global product and management roles, including global head of trade, global head of payments, and head of treasury and trade solutions for EMEA.
Mary McNiff, who is stepping away from her role as chief operating officer for international and legacy franchises, will continue to lead Citi’s expanding firm-wide policy simplification programme
Commenting on the appointments, Ernesto Torres?Cantú, head of International at Citi, says: “As cross?border activity becomes more complex and more critical for our clients, the strength of our international franchise matters more than ever.
“Karim is one of the Middle East’s most respected banking leaders, with strong client relationships and deep regional insight. Alongside Ebru and Mary, this team enhances our ability to grow responsibly while maintaining rigorous risk and controls.”
Vis Raghavan, head of Banking, adds: “The strength of our global banking franchise comes from the depth of experience across our leadership and the consistency with which we show up for clients. Karim brings decades of trusted relationships across the Middle East.
“Our franchise in the region continues to perform with momentum, and we remain committed to the Middle East for the long term. Clients value stability, connectivity, and judgement — and that is exactly what our global network is delivering.”
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