BAFT elects new leader

The Bankers' Association for Finance and Trade (BAFT) has nominated Chuck Silverman, managing director, global financial institutions and trade division for Wachovia Bank, to head the organisation for the 2008-2009 year.

Craig Weeks, managing director, global trade services, JPMorgan and former president, remains on the board in the capacity of chairman of the nominating committee.

The BAFT announced the appointments of directors John Ahearn, managing director, global head of supply chain management, structured trade, asset optimisation and EAF, Citi; Rita Gonzalez, managing director, head of GTB Institutional sales, Americas, HSBC Securities USA; and David Cooke, group head international trade finance, M&T Bank to its executive committee and also welcomed David Conroy, TF-CMC corporate head Americas, Deutsche Bank; Howard Freeman, CEO, BBVA; Mark Garfield, vice president, international division manager, Zions Bank; Daisy Pillay, general manager, international financial institutions, Absa Bank; and John Rodriguez, senior vice president, Wells Fargo as members elected to a first term on the board.

The list of re-election board members includes: Kimberly Burdette, PNC Financial Services Group; John Campbell, PricewaterhouseCoopers; Sara Joyce, BMO Capital Markets; Paul Oldshue, U.S. Bank; Joseph Tansey, Jr., Bank of America; Bennett Schwartz, TD Banknorth; Paul Warfield, First National Bank of Omaha; and Jeremy Wilson, Barclays Commercial Bank.