About Elissar Farah Antonios

Elissar Farah Antonios is a seasoned banker with over 25 years of experience focused on the Middle East. Appointed as CEO for Citi UAE in 2016 and Citi Cluster Head for UAE, Levant & Iraq in 2019, she was promoted to Head of MENA in December 2020. The MENA region is Citi’s most diverse cluster in EMEA, with 13 presence countries, and the UAE being the largest franchise and regional hub for Emerging Markets in EMEA. The MENA region is unique for Citi’s Corporate and Investment Banking activity, as well as Retail and Wealth Management, with the UAE serving as one of Citi’s global wealth hubs. Known as a safe haven for the region, the UAE boasts high infrastructure standards, a solid legal framework for business, significant diversity, and strong leadership. As technology and innovation continue to evolve, reshaping the way business is conducted, competing in this digital arena is crucial. How can Citi provide a personal touch when clients no longer need to visit branches? This presents fascinating times for the financial world, particularly for Private and Corporate clients. Building personal relationships and maintaining trust are essential for serving clients and growing the business. Her role has been a satisfying fit for the skills she has honed throughout her career and reflects her long-standing commitment to the Middle East. Her deep understanding of the region's economic drivers, challenges, and opportunities places her in a unique position as a trusted advisor. Elissar Farah Antonios then spent several years with Credit Agricole Indosuez (CALYON) in Abu Dhabi and Dubai and with ABN AMRO Private Bank covering both Abu Dhabi and Egypt. Her MBA is from Imperial College in London where her thesis dealt with predicting turning points in foreign exchange. She has a Bachelor degree in Mathematics from American University in Beirut and is fluent in Arabic, English and French.