Ekmel Cilingir
Ekmel Cilingir | |
|---|---|
| Born | Samsun, Turkey |
| Occupation | Banking professional |
| Years active | 1999–present |
| Known for | Chairman of the Supervisory Board at European Merchant Bank (EMBank) |
Ekmel Cilingir (originating from Samsun, Turkey) is a Turkish banking professional who has developed a substantial portion of his career in Malta and currently holds the position of Chairman of the Supervisory Board at the Lithuanian financial institution EMBank.
Early life and education
Cilingir completed his secondary schooling at 19 Mayıs High School and obtained a bachelor's degree in economics from Uludag University located in Turkey. He possesses several professional qualifications, such as the ACI Dealing Certificate, a Banking Regulations Certificate awarded by the Malta Financial Services Authority, a Project Management Certificate from Chicago State University, and a Trade Finance Certificate from TEB (BNP Paribas).
Career
Starting his professional journey at Akbank in Turkey in 1999, Cilingir later transitioned to BNP Paribas Fortis in Malta. Throughout more than thirteen years with the institution, he progressed from the role of Operations and Treasury Manager to becoming Chief Operating Officer (COO). His scope of duties encompassed overseeing intercompany relations within BNP Paribas Europe, IT system integrations, treasury functions, banking operations, credit supervision, outsourcing processes, and managing customer relationships.
In addition to his corporate roles, he played an active part in Malta's banking community by serving on the executive committee of the Malta Bankers’ Association, where he helped coordinate sector policies and advocacy efforts. He also held a board membership at the Financial Markets Association Malta (FMAM).
As of 2023, Cilingir serves as Chairman of the Supervisory Board for European Merchant Bank based in Vilnius, Lithuania. In this capacity, he is responsible for guiding the bank’s strategic vision, maintaining regulatory and political engagement, and upholding corporate governance standards. During his tenure, EMBank has notably grown its loan portfolio and enhanced its standing within the fintech sector.