The Banking Executive Magazine - December 2025 Issue

The Architect of Financial Integrity fined yet resolute figure assisting Arab banking meet global standards in the fight against financial crimes. FOUNDATIONS IN LAW Such composure did not emerge by chance. Jebeyli’s journey began in the judges’ chambers of Beirut. In the mid-1980s, amid Lebanon’s civil conflict, he served as a magistrate deciding on civil and commercial courts cases. That early experience grounded him in the rule of law and instilled a deep respect for justice, analytical reasoning, and doing the right thing irrespective of personal gain—an attribute that has remained with him throughout his entire ca- reer. An ambitious scholar, he later pur- sued an LL.M. in International Bank- ing Law at Boston University. For a time, he practiced in New York and Massachusetts, absorbing the nu- ances of U.S. legal culture before re- turning to the Middle East with a valuable bicultural perspective. “Understanding both sides of the equation,” he would later say, be- came an indispensable strength as he transitioned from the bench to the law of banking world. CAREER JOURNEY Jebeyli’s shift into banking began in 1995 when he joined the Saudi American Bank (SAMBA) — then a subsidiary of Citibank — as General Counsel and Head of Legal and Compliance for the Group. In Riyadh, he built SAMBA’s compli- ance function from the ground up, implementing international AML/CFT standards within a local context and steering the bank through major transitions, including Citibank’s withdrawal from SAMBA. He led complex litigation and recov- ery efforts, successfully reclaiming hundreds of millions of dollars in dis- tressed assets following a major merger. His achievements in Riyadh made him a natural candidate for a global role at Citibank. In 2003, he became Managing Director for Legal and Compliance for Citibank’s entire Middle East, Turkey, Pakistan and South and North Africa — the first in his field in the region to reach that rank within the bank. He oversaw teams from the countries of coverage, while maintaining con- tinuous coordination with both U.S. and regional regulators. Under his guidance, Citibank MENA estab- lished a coherent regional compli- ance framework. He also advised local authorities on aligning with ex- traterritorial U.S. regulations. Col- leagues recall his rare ability to translate Washington’s complex legal language into actionable guidance — a hallmark of his leadership. His strong Arab belonging helped him forge what is suitable for both the in- ternational and regional banking community. He was very proud of building and supporting teams of local skilled resources, many of ISSUE 204 DECEMBER 2025 the BANKING EXECUTIVE 17 Follow the law / International Standards to remain respected in the global banking community, — that is how banks survive internationally.