The National Bank of Abu Dhabi (NBAD) has appointed Jonathan Macdonald as the Managing Director and Head of Syndicated Finance; to lead NBAD’s loan underwriting, primary loan distribution, secondary loan sales and purchases, as well as loan agency across the Bank’s chosen markets in the Middle East, Europe, Africa and Asia. Mr. Macdonald brings to NBAD over 30 years’ international syndicated loans experience, Jonathan has worked in London, Hong Kong, New York and Paris and is a former Vice-Chairman of the Loan Market Association.

Mr. Macdonald joins NBAD from Barclays where he was managing director and head of global syndicated finance for Europe & APAC. Before Barclays, he served a similar role at UBS.

Mr. Macdonald reports to reports to Andy Cairns, Managing Director of Global Head of Debt Origination & Distribution at NBAD.

“Jonathan Macdonald is a world-class loans banker with a proven track-record; he will add significantly to our loans proposition as we continue to expand our markets coverage and position NBAD as facilitator of trade and commerce across the West-East Corridor,” says Mr. Cairns.

NBAD’s West-East Corridor strategy aims to position NBAD’s strong fundamentals and the UAEs strategic location to tap into the growing economies that span from the West of Africa across to East Asia. The ‘Corridor’ includes increasingly important economies in MENA, the Indian Subcontinent, Southeast Asia and greater China. This region represents vast potentials with significant natural resources, growing economic activities, and an emerging middle class.