Sima Kamil
Sima Kamil | |
|---|---|
| Born | Karachi, Pakistan |
| Occupation | Banking professional |
| Years active | 1986–present |
| Known for | First woman to head a major bank in Pakistan; Deputy Governor of the State Bank of Pakistan |
Sima Kamil is a prominent Pakistani banking professional who has held the position of deputy governor at the State Bank of Pakistan since August 2020. Prior to this role, she served as president and chief executive officer of United Bank Limited from June 2017 until June 2020, marking a milestone as the first woman to head a major bank in Pakistan.
Early life and education
Raised in Karachi, Kamil's family heritage includes ties to both Karachi and Lahore. She completed her schooling at Karachi Grammar School before pursuing higher studies in the United Kingdom. In 1983, she graduated with a business degree from Kingston University and later obtained an MBA from City, University of London. Although she received an offer to study development economics at Oxford University, financial limitations led her to return to Karachi to commence her professional journey.
Early career
Kamil began her career as a corporate relationship manager at American Express in Karachi between 1986 and 1988. She then joined ANZ Grindlays Bank, where she spent eleven years working across Karachi, Lahore, and Melbourne. During this period, she advanced to senior roles including head of credit and corporate regional executive. After ANZ sold its Grindlays operations to Standard Chartered Bank in 2000, she transitioned to the latter as a senior credit officer.
Habib Bank Limited (2001–2017)
In April 2001, Kamil took on the role of regional corporate banking head at Habib Bank Limited (HBL), progressing by 2004 to lead corporate and investment banking. She also managed HBL Asset Management Company Ltd. Under the guidance of CEO Rafiuddin Zakir Mahmood, she broadened her leadership responsibilities, becoming the head of HBL’s branch banking network in 2011. In this capacity, she supervised thousands of staff members and directed extensive branch growth initiatives that resulted in HBL achieving the highest average current account deposit growth within Pakistan’s banking industry.
Kamil introduced HBL Nisa in 2016, a Women's Market Program aimed at enhancing banking accessibility for women; this program earned HBL the GBA Women's Champion award from the Global Banking Alliance for Women.
In March 2017, Pakistan Today included her among "Pakistan's Only Powerful Women in Business."
United Bank Limited (2017–2020)
Kamil was named Deputy CEO of United Bank Limited (UBL) in March 2017 and assumed the role of president and CEO on June 1, 2017, succeeding Wajahat Hussain. Her appointment marked a historic first for female leadership at a major Pakistani bank. In 2018, the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) honored her as an "Influential Leader" for her efforts in promoting diversity and inclusion.
State Bank of Pakistan (2020–2023)
On August 25, 2020, Kamil was appointed deputy governor of the State Bank of Pakistan for a three-year tenure, becoming the first woman ever to occupy this position.
Board memberships
Since February 2019, Kamil has been a member of UBL’s board. She also served as a director at First MicroFinance Bank, specializing in microfinance services. Furthermore, she chairs the board of governors at Karachi Grammar School and holds board positions at both the Notre Dame Institute of Education and the governing body of Holy Family Hospital in Karachi.
Personal life
Kamil is married to a legal professional who practices law in Karachi.