Management | Transaction Banking
Alberta Cefis is retiring from Scotiabank after building its global transaction banking business practically from the ground up. Since being named to head GTB in 2006, a year after it was started, Cefis has strengthened its offerings and expanded the business to more than 55 countries around the world. Between 2007 and this year, GTB’s deposits have grown by 128% and its revenue has increased 91.4%. Her approach has included investing in technology: GTB’s multimillion-dollar cash management payments and reporting center boosted clients’ systems use by 300%.
At the same time that Cefis was building GTB, she has maintained an extraordinary level of involvement in community efforts. A proponent of mentoring, Cefis’ efforts include founding Scotiabank’s GTB women’s mentoring program, participating in the McGill Mentor Program and working with the Women’s Executive Network’s programs. She also started a Women in Global Transaction Banking group to foster connections among women in that business.
At Scotiabank, Cefis founded a volunteering program, GTB@Work in the Community and was executive champion of Scotiabank Pride, which promotes inclusion for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender members. Cefis also supports a number of arts organizations, serving on the board of the Shaw Festival and as director of the board of the National Theater School of Canada. She previously serving as director of the board of Opera Atelier.
Cefis, who spent 15 years at Scotiabank, has received many honors. She has been a steady presence on American Banker’s Most Powerful Women in Banking list and was named to the Hall of Fame of Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women list in 2007.
She has also appeared in Global Finance’s annual Who’s Who in Treasury & Cash Management list for the past few years.
