NatWest announced today that it has established a new entity in Europe, NatWest Bank Europe GmbH, which will be fully operational later this year. NatWest Bank Europe GmbH was created to support UK-based corporate and sponsor customers with European Economic Area interests and will provide them with NatWest’s Structured Finance offering.
Western European corporate customers will continue to be primarily covered by NatWest’s non-ringfenced entity in Amsterdam, NatWest Markets N.V.
NatWest has also made several senior appointments, naming Thomas Jakob as CEO and Chair of the Management Board of NatWest Bank Europe GmbH, who will join in August. Thomas brings extensive expertise in corporate banking, corporate finance and capital markets, including working in leadership roles with multi-national clients. He most recently led the southwest region in Germany for UniCredit and the corporate banking and advisory business at Hamburg Commercial Bank. Thomas will report to Andrew Blincoe, Managing Director, Corporate Banking & Structured Finance, and will be a member of Andrew’s management team. His appointment is subject to regulatory approval.
Robert Fries is Chief Operating Officer of NatWest Bank Europe GmbH and Werner Wegl is Chief Risk Officer. Robert previously led NatWest’s Germany branch, which provided NatWest with important access to Euro payments and Euro liquidity. With Robert’s new appointment, Simon Buckley becomes Front Office Branch Manager, NatWest Germany.
Andrew Blincoe, Managing Director, Corporate Banking & Structured Finance at NatWest, said:
“This is an important step in our ability to support UK and European customers as they seek to increase economic activity and investment in Europe, supported by our expertise in Structured Finance, Capital Markets and ESG. We are thrilled to announce these appointments as NatWest Bank Europe GmbH moves us towards realising our European ambitions. NatWest is now set up for long-term success in the region, delivering the strategic advice and expertise our customers need to grow confidently and quickly.”
Thomas Jakob, CEO of NatWest Bank Europe GmbH, said:
“I’m very excited to be joining NatWest as it positions itself for strategic growth in Europe and look forward to helping the bank fulfil its ambitions to the region. Having optimised its long-term structure after Brexit and ringfencing regulations, NatWest is set up to achieve long-term success in Europe.”