Suez Canal Bank has appointed Nagham Kandil as its new Head of Retail Banking. The appointment reflects the bank’s broader vision to leverage high-caliber leadership in strengthening one of its most dynamic and vital divisions.
Widely recognized as one of Egypt’s most influential female leaders in banking, Kandil brings a track record of transformative leadership in the retail sector. Until recently, she served as Head of Retail Banking at Qatar National Bank (QNB) — Egypt’s second-largest private bank — where she played a pivotal role in product innovation, digital transformation, and financial inclusion.
Academic and Professional Foundations
Kandil graduated from the Faculty of Commerce, English Section, at Alexandria University in 1996, and earned her MBA with distinction from the Arab Academy for Science, Technology & Maritime Transport in 2008. Her academic background laid the groundwork for a multifaceted banking career marked by both technical expertise and strategic vision.
She began her career through internships at prominent institutions including the Export Development Bank, Commercial International Bank (CIB), and the Egyptian American Bank (now Crédit Agricole Egypt). Her early professional development accelerated at Misr International Bank (MIDBANK), where she gained hands-on experience across a broad range of banking functions.
Institutional Evolution and Sectoral Resilience
Kandil’s career has spanned critical institutional shifts in Egypt’s banking landscape, notably the acquisition of Misr International Bank by Banque Misr and subsequently by Société Générale in 2006, followed by the 2013 acquisition of Société Générale’s Egyptian operations by QNB. These transitions enriched her professional adaptability and exposed her to diverse operational cultures and regulatory environments.
Achievements and Recognition
Kandil is lauded for pioneering several first-to-market banking products in Egypt, including Visa Infinite, Visa Signature, and eco-friendly debit and credit cards in partnership with Visa, marking a clear shift toward sustainability and lifestyle banking.
Her contributions have earned her multiple international accolades from institutions such as Capital Finance International Magazine and The Global Banking and Finance Review, highlighting her impact on digital banking and financial inclusion.
In 2023, she was named to the finalist list of Africa’s Top Women CEOs by Africa.com, ranking 51st, a testament to her leadership influence within the African banking landscape.
Vision and Strategic Focus
At the core of Kandil’s leadership philosophy is a commitment to customer experience, innovation, and social impact. She champions retail strategies that align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with a special emphasis on empowering women, expanding access to financial services, and designing inclusive banking solutions.
Her strategy includes launching tailored services for youth, senior citizens, women, and people with disabilities, ensuring that the banking system serves as an engine of empowerment for all segments of society.
Customer-Centric Culture
Believing that service excellence stems from human capital, Kandil has been a strong advocate for staff training and talent development. She has introduced programs focusing on emotional intelligence, customer empathy, cultural awareness, and problem-solving — equipping bank employees with tools to better serve diverse client bases.
Digital Transformation and New-Age Customer Acquisition
With an acute understanding of the digital shift reshaping global finance, Kandil has led robust efforts to digitize customer journeys. Under her direction, banks have rolled out innovative AI-driven tools, mobile wallets, modern payment gateways, and interactive customer service platforms via social media.
She also spearheaded awareness campaigns aimed at digitally native demographics, especially youth, using accessible, engaging content that reflects the evolving identity of modern banking.
