CBA announces changes to institutional bank leadership team

The Commonwealth Bank of Australia today announced the appointments of Deborah Leerhsen as the Executive General Manager Global Client Solutions and Sally Reid as Executive General Manager Capital Structuring.

CBA’s Group Executive Institutional Banking & Markets Andrew Hinchliff said these appointments were an important development in how CBA supported its corporate and institutional clients with market leading advice and services.

“We are investing to take our capabilities to the next level in key areas such as capital structuring and ESG. We recognise that in addition to the banking services they require to operate their businesses, many of our clients are focused on financing solutions that broaden their funding profile or looking for financial solutions that address specific business problems or market opportunities.

“Deborah is an experienced global banker with extensive experience managing client relations – as well as coverage and product teams – across Investment, Corporate and Transactional Banking. As the Head of Global Client Solutions, Deborah will focus on working with our global coverage team to support our clients in achieving their ambitious business and sustainability agendas,” said Mr Hinchliff.

Deborah joins CBA from Mizuho Bank where she was Deputy Head of Asia & Oceania Corporate Banking. Prior to this Deborah spent over 20 years at HSBC in a number roles globally; her most recent role at HSBC was Head of Global Banking based in Hong Kong.

Deborah’s appointment is allowing Sally Reid to take on the role of Executive General Manager Capital Structuring after three years at the helm of Global Client Solutions. 

Sally Reid, Executive General Manager Capital Structuring, said that structuring capital solutions is a core focus area for CBA.

“We know that our client’s value and appreciate when their bank looks to support them with bespoke solutions that looks at all forms of capital, domestic and international, to help them with their financial needs,” Ms. Reid said. “I look forward to continuing to work closely with our clients and support their ambitious growth and transition plans.”

Deborah Leerhsen, Executive General Manager Global Client Solutions, said she looked forward to joining CBA’s institutional client coverage team. 

“I’m excited to lead a franchise that supports some of Australia’s biggest brands and institutional names. Australian institutions have ambitious growth and sustainability agendas, which they are advancing domestically and overseas. In parallel, they need to navigate a range of structural challenges including shifting geopolitics, inflation, supply chain disruption, and the energy transition. We at CBA are committed to partnering with our clients as they pursue these goals,” said Ms Leerhsen. 

About IB&M

CBA’s institutional banking & Markets (IB&M) business is strategically positioned to support large Australian corporate, institutional and government clients across global markets, while connecting non-Australian clients to opportunities both in Australia and around the world. IB&M provides a full range of financial service solutions including access to debt capital markets, risk management, transaction banking, sustainable finance, structured capital solutions and working capital through dedicated product and industry specialists.

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