Management Team
Askhat AzhikhanovChief Executive Officer
Holds PhD in Economics from Kazakh State University, MSc in Banking and International Finance degree with honours from Cass Business School (London, UK), Bachelor in Economics degree with honours from Kazakh State Academy of Management, Bachelor in Oil and Gas Exploration degree with honours from Kazakh State Technical University.
From 1998 to 2001, worked at the National Bank of Kazakhstan Banking Supervision Department. In 2001 – 2005 held management positions at Halyk Bank (Kazakhstan).
From 2007 to 2008 worked at Credit Suisse Kazakhstan as a Head of Asset Management.
In 2009 worked as a CEO of Zhetisu Asset Management and CEO Advisor at Temir Bank.
Joined ABA in September 2009.
Zhiger AtchabarovChief Operating Officer
Graduated from the Kazakh-British Technical University (Almaty, Kazakhstan).
Started his career in 2007 at the International Relations and Trade Finance Department of Bank TuranAlem JSC (BTA Bank), Almaty, Kazakhstan. From 2010, headed the Export-Import Operations Desk and from 2011 – the Regional Trade Finance Sales Desk of the bank.
In 2011, joined Temirbank JSC, Almaty, Kazakhstan as the Head of Financial Institutions and Trade Finance Department and worked at the bank until 2014. Moved to Cambodia to join ABA in May 2014 as the Head of International Relations Department, responsible for correspondent banking, trade finance and investor relations.
Expanding his responsibilities to payments and remittances, financial institutions, interbank transactions, etc., Zhiger joined the C-level as Chief International Operations Officer in May 2015. At this position, he was actively involved in finance, treasury, compliance, and other operational activities of the bank, and from July 1, 2022, he was appointed as Chief Operating Officer.
His responsibilities include international operations, retail banking, corporate and institutional banking, business process development, customers relationship management, as well as coordination, support, and development of the ABA network.
Babu Ram GyawaliChief Financial Officer
Graduated from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, New Delhi as well as from Tribhuwan University, Kathmandu Nepal.
Mr. Gyawali started his career in 2001 with Himalayan Bank Limited, Joint Venture Bank with Habib Bank Limited in Pakistan.
Between 2001 and 2007, worked in Himalayan Bank as Executive Financial Officer and Head of Internal Audit Department.
Since November 2007 has been working with ABA.
Galymzhan TemirovChief Information Officer
Graduated from Kazakh Technology Institute in 1993.
From 1991 till 1994 worked in Technology Processes Automation Research Laboratory Kazakh Technology Institute and in 1995 completed postgraduate course of fuzzy logical control algorithms in chemical industry.
Between 1994 and 2000 held CIT position at South Kazakhstan branch of Bank TuranAlem (BTA bank).
From 2000 worked as senior financial software development officer at head office of BTA and Deputy Chief of IT Software Development Department of Bank TuranAlem.
In June 2007 joined ABA's management team.
Bibhu PandeyChief Credit Officer
Holds Masters Degree in Economics from Tribhuwan University, Kathmandu Nepal and Masters Degree in Business Studies from Tribhuwan University.
Mr. Pandey started his career in 1997 with Himalayan Bank Limited, Joint Venture Bank with Habib Bank Limited in Pakistan.
From 1997 to 2007, worked in position of second in line in Credit Administration Department of Himalayan Bank.
During first quarter of 2008 worked at Global Bank Ltd. as second in line of Credit Department.
Joined ABA Bank in April 2008 as Head of Credit Department.
Sanzhar AbdullayevChief Card and E-Payments Officer
Graduated from the Kazakh State National University.
Between 1998 and 2007 working as a project leader for developing and supporting retail and corporate loan, securities, trade finance and core-banking system modules in IT Departments of Halyk Bank and Bank TuranAlem, Kazakhstan.
Since July 2007, has been working as Head of IT Department and from 2008 as Head of Card Center of ABA.
Zokhir RasulovChief Digital Officer
Graduated from Tashkent Polytechnic University (degree on Production Management) in 1999, started his career in IR Department of State Property Committee (SPC).
In 2005-2007, worked at the World Bank project called “SMEs development through the use of IT technologies” as a Project Manager (Uzbekistan).
Upon successful completion of the project, in 2007 joined Visor Holding representative office in Tashkent as Business analyst.
Banking industry experience starts in 2008 after joining the team of Credit-Standard Bank, Tashkent, as Chief Marketing Officer.
Afterwards was invited to join the ABA Bank team in April 2012 as Chief Marketing Officer.
In June 2016, Zokhir headed Digital Transformation process of the Bank.
Igor ZimarevChief Marketing and CSR Officer, Corporate Secretary
Graduated from Tashkent State University (with Honours) in Uzbekistan. Started his career in advertising industry in 2003.
In 2006-2007, worked at the World Bank project “SMEs development through the use of IT technologies” (Uzbekistan). Upon successful completion of the project, in 2007 moved to the telecom sector.
Banking experience started in 2010 after joining the marketing team of Credit Standard Bank (Uzbekistan) where he served several roles including Head of Press Service.
In September 2012, Zimarev joined ABA Bank’s team as Marketing Officer. In June 2016, he took the helm of the Marketing Division, overseeing all marketing communication channels of the Bank and CSR initiatives.
In December 2019, Zimarev was appointed Chief Marketing and CSR Officer, Corporate Secretary of ABA Bank.
Torsten Kleine BueningChief Risk Officer and Compliance Advisor to the CEO
Torsten Kleine Buening holds a degree as Diplom Wirtschafts-Informatiker / Master of Science on Information Systems of Westfaelische Wilhelms-Universitaet Muenster (Germany).
Torsten is a risk practitioner with over 20 years of experience covering conventional and Islamic Finance in developed and emerging markets.
He started his banking and finance career in 2002 after becoming Basel II Group Project Manager for Volksbanken Group in Austria, covering Austria and Central Eastern Europe. In 2006-2013, Torsten shaped the risk management of Samba Financial Group in Saudi Arabia and headed Capital & Portfolio Risk for Emirates NBD in Dubai, UAE.
In 2013, Torsten moved to Asia, becoming Head of Governance for Enterprise-Wide Risk Management for Standard Chartered (Singapore). In 2017-2019, he served as Chief Risk Officer and Chief Compliance Officer for Tenger Financial Group (Mongolia) covering Banking, Leasing and Insurance.
In 2019-2020, he contributed as Chief Risk Officer to the operations of Deem Finance, UAE, supporting an ambitious digital agenda.
Torsten joined ABA Bank in November 2020 as Chief Risk Officer and as Compliance Advisor to the Chief Executive Officer.
Chantal QuinnChief Audit Advisor to the CEO
Chantal Quinn is a graduate of University of Quebec in Canada and a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA). Chantal is an experienced audit expert who has worked with the National Bank of Canada since 1998.
Before joining National Bank of Canada, she held various positions for ten years in the Retail and Commercial divisions at another financial institution. Her last role at National Bank of Canada was Senior Manager, Internal Audit, Credit, International, and Corporate Banking. In addition, for the previous nine years, Chantal has been involved in many due diligence, audit and advisory mandates with ABA.
In February 2023, Chantal was appointed Chief Audit Advisor to the CEO of ABA Bank. In her role, Chantal continues developing ABA's internal audit towards international best practices.
Ninlida LongChief Cash Management Officer
Graduated from National University of Management in 2012 with Master’s Degree in Financial Management.
Currently pursuing Master’s Degree of Commerce specialized in General Management from Charles Sturt University, Australia.
Ninlida’s banking experience started as a bank teller in 2006 with Cambodia Asia Bank before moving to Sacombank in 2009. She held various roles in bank operations of Sacombank before being promoted as Head of Operations Department in 2013.
In May 2016, Ninlida joined ABA Bank as Head of Cash Operations Division, overseeing the Bank’s cash operations at all branches, self-banking areas and ABA 24/7 self-banking spots.
In January 2022, Ninlida was appointed as Chief Cash Management Officer.
Vichet ChhunChief Retail Banking Officer
Holds Master of Science in Economics (Laurea Magistrale) from University of Trento in Italy.
Between 2008-2012, worked as lecturer at several universities in Cambodia teaching business-related courses.
Started his banking career in 2013 by joining ANZ Royal Bank. His last position at ANZ Royal was Corporate Relationship Manager.
In May 2015, Vichet joined ABA as Sales Development Manager and was promoted to various positions inside the Bank.
He was appointed as Chief Retail Banking Officer in February 2022.
Polinda HeanChief International Business Officer
Graduated from the National University of Management in 2004 and from the Phnom Penh International University (former ASEAN University) in 2006.
Polinda has more than 18 years of experience in the banking sector with various roles across multiple prominent financial institutions.
She started her career at Vattanac Bank in 2005, followed by 10 years at ANZ Royal Bank as the Client Services Manager since 2007. As part of her career achievement, she was awarded the CEO Pacific Award in 2011.
In 2017, she joined ABA as the Head of International Operations Development Department where she worked closely with major national and international parties including the National Bank of Cambodia, correspondent banks, payment service providers, as well as with ABA relevant teams on some major initiatives and products for money transfers remittances.
In July 2022, Polinda was appointed as Chief International Business Officer. She is responsible for the development and implementation of innovative money transfers services, operational governance, internal documentation and procedures, workflows, sales and trainings, and team management.
Sosen EangChief Legal Officer
Holds Bachelor’s Degree of Law from Royal University of Law and Economics (2000), Bachelor’s Degree of Khmer Literature from Royal University of Phnom Penh (2001), and Master’s Degree of Finance Management from Royal University of Law Economics (2007).
Sosen started his career in 2005 as Legal Officer at ABA Bank. From 2008-2021, he held the Head of Legal Department position where he established a new legal department to prepare and draft contract and agreement, manage complaints and other legal issues. He also advises other departments of the Bank on legal matters and represents the Bank in courts.
In February 2022, Sosen was appointed as Chief Legal Officer of ABA Bank.
Vithiea LyChief Human Resources Officer
Earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance and Banking (with Honors) from Royal University of Law and Economics.
Prior to her employment with ABA, Vithiea has worked for UNDP, financial Institutions and NGOs, and moved her way up to various leadership roles in human resources, gaining extensive knowledge, skills, and experiences in the field.
In November 2012, she joined ABA as Head of Human Resources – responsible for HR-related contacts with government bodies, as well as policymaking and further strategic development of the Bank’s human resources, including but not limited to talent acquisition, training and HR development, performance and rewards management, succession planning, employee engagement, and overall HR management system of the Bank.
In February 2022, Vithiea was appointed as Chief Human Resources Officer of ABA Bank.
Lida SemChief Medium and Large Business Lending Officer
Bachelor’s Degree recipient from Middle East Technical University, Turkey, in 2009 and Master’s Degrees from the University of Lille I (2011) and University of Lumière Lyon 2 (2012). Lida is also a qualified and certified “Professional Banker” coffered by Asian Institute of Chartered Bankers (AICB).
Started his career in the banking sector as Business Relationship Manager in 2011 at Maybank Cambodia and managed relationships with commercial and high-valued loan clients.
In March 2018, he joined ABA Bank as the Head of Commercial Loan Department and a member of the Credit Committee. He now manages and oversees the Bank’s commercial loan segment.
In February 2022, Lida was appointed as Chief Medium and Large Business Lending Officer of ABA Bank.
Chanrith SarChief Micro Business Loan Officer
Graduated from Royal University of Law and Economics in Business Administration and holds a Master of Business Administration in Financial and Banking from Build Bright University.
Chanrith has almost 20 years of experience in the microfinance and banking industry. From 2001-2015, he held various roles from Credit Officer to Credit Supervisor to Regional Branch Manager with different organizations.
In 2015, he joined ABA Bank’s loan team as Head of Micro Business Loan and was serving as Deputy Chief Credit Officer of ABA until 2021.
In early 2022, Chanrith was appointed Chief Micro Business Loan Officer of ABA Bank.
Sinak NoyChief Loan Recovery and Monitoring Officer
Graduated from the National University of Management in 2005 with a major in Business Management, Sinak has progressively developed himself through local and international skills trainings.
Prior to joining ABA, Sinak worked with ANZ Royal Bank, serving various roles in retail banking. He is skilled in client relationship management, electronic banking service, and debt management.
Joined ABA in 2011 as Senior Loan Officer before moving himself up to become Head of Recovery and Monitoring, overseeing the entire scope of credit monitoring and recovery activities of the Bank.
In early 2022, Sinak was appointed Chief Loan Recovery and Monitoring Officer of ABA Bank.
Romny TheamChief External Affairs Officer – Regional Manager
Holds Master’s Degree of Business Administration in Finance from University of Akron (USA) under the Fulbright Scholarship Award (2005-2007). Graduated with Business Administration in Accounting from National University of Management and Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) from Institute of Foreign Languages of Royal University of Phnom Penh.
Romny started her career in 2002 as a local consultant for the BBC World Service and between 2007-2009 she was involved in projects such as Merit Based Performance Incentives program (MBPI) under the Danish International Development Assistance (DANIDA), JICA, GIZ, and the World Bank to support Office of the Council of Ministers in Public Administrative Reform programs.
From 2003-2009, she was a lecturer at Institute of Foreign Languages and Panhasastra University of Cambodia, teaching English for International Business and Business Finance, respectively.
Joined ABA in February 2010 as Branch Manager at Toul Kork branch and was promoted to Regional Manager in 2016. As the Regional Manager, she manages several ABA branches in the Toul Kork region.
In early 2022, she took a new role as Chief External Affairs Officer – Regional Manager of ABA Bank.
Dalen AthChief Administrative Officer
Holds a degree in Development Economics and Master’s Degree of Business Administration from National University of Management.
Started his career in 2011 by joining ABA’s Accounting Department, where he served various roles including bank reconciliation, fixed assets management, and financial reporting.
In June 2015, Dalen was appointed as Head of Administrative Department overseeing all administrative works, branch network expansion, and physical infrastructure development of ABA.
In February 2022, he was appointed as Chief Administrative Officer of ABA Bank.
Kimkhun PechChief Security Officer
Graduated from Build Bright University in Phnom Penh with Master’s Degree of Law and Political Science in 2008.
Prior to joining ABA, Kimkhun served as Security Assistant Manager in Naga World Casino and Hotel and moved to Beeline Cambodia as Security Manager.
In December 2013, he joined ABA Bank as Security Manager overseeing the Bank’s security department and overall security procedures.
In February 2022, Kimkhun was appointed as Chief Security Officer of ABA Bank.
