FIMBank plc has announced the appointment of Simon Jethro Lay as its new Group Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director.
Mr Lay, a British national, has a long-standing career in banking and finance, having started with the Midland Bank/HSBC Banking Group. Over the years, he has accumulated extensive experience in international banking, corporate finance, trade finance, and forfaiting.

His association with FIMBank dates back to 2003, when the bank acquired London Forfaiting Company Ltd (LFC), where he was serving as CEO. Under his leadership, LFC expanded its global operations, reinforcing its position in the trade finance sector. Mr Lay also previously held key leadership roles within FIMBank, including Acting CEO in January 2015 and later Deputy CEO in July of the same year.
Beyond his executive responsibilities, he is an active member of several key committees at FIMBank, including the Management Credit Committee, the Assets Liabilities Committee, the Board Review and Implementation Committee, and the Board Environmental, Social & Governance Committee.
According to the company announcement, Mr Lay has not held directorships in any other local issuers in the past five years, and there are no matters requiring disclosure under the Malta Financial Services Authority’s Capital Markets Rules.
Managing Director Georgios Kakouras has been temporarily suspended pending the outcome of an internal investigation.
He has more than 15 years of experience.
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