Commerzbank reshapes institutional and transaction banking leadership with Oliver Haibt appointment

Commerzbank has appointed Oliver Haibt as Head of Institutional Clients and Transaction Banking Sales (ICTBS), handing responsibility for one of the bank’s key trade finance, cash management and financial institutions businesses to a long-serving executive.

The appointment, which took effect on 1 July, follows the departure of Brigitte Réthier to the Executive Board of German development bank KfW.

Haibt, who has spent 28 years at Commerzbank, most recently served as Divisional Board Member for Product and Sales Management within the bank’s Private and Small Customer Businesses division. He has also held senior roles across Commerzbank’s corporate banking and capital markets businesses.

The announcement is significant as ICTBS sits at the centre of Commerzbank’s international transaction banking franchise.

The division manages the bank’s relationships with financial institutions and selected non-bank financial institutions globally, while overseeing transaction banking sales for corporate clients. It is also responsible for the strategic direction of Commerzbank’s domestic and international Trade Finance and Cash Management sales teams, covering payment products, foreign business, export finance and international trade financing.

Trade finance continues to be an important area of competition for European banks as corporate clients seek greater efficiency across payments, liquidity management and cross-border trade. Banks are also investing heavily in digital transaction banking capabilities while strengthening relationships with financial institutions that support correspondent banking and global trade flows.

In his new role, Haibt will report to Michael Kotzbauer, Commerzbank’s Board Member for Corporate Clients, and will oversee the bank’s global network of financial institution desks and representative offices supporting international corporate banking activities.

The appointment follows a period of continued investment by major European banks in transaction banking businesses, reflecting sustained demand for cash management, trade finance and export finance solutions despite ongoing geopolitical uncertainty and evolving global supply chains.

Commerzbank said its international network remains a key part of its corporate banking proposition, enabling it to support clients’ cross-border payment, financing and trade requirements across multiple markets.