UMB appoints Justina Stella Laing as COO to advance its brand transformation agenda

Universal Merchant Bank (UMB) has appointed Justina Stella Laing as Chief Operating Officer (COO) to bolster its brand transformation efforts. Laing, a seasoned financial services executive with over 18 years of experience in operations, strategy, and financial initiatives, will drive UMB's operational engine by converting ambitious strategies into dependable results.

Her expertise spans corporate and investment banking, project and infrastructure finance, syndicated lending, and risk management. Previously, Laing held senior roles at CalBank PLC and provided advisory services in the energy and agribusiness sectors. UMB's decision to appoint Laing reflects its commitment to reliability, a core value of the bank, achieved through effective processes, strong governance, capable personnel, and reliable systems.

Dr. Philip Oti-Mensah, UMB's CEO, emphasized that Laing's experience in managing multi-billion-dollar mandates and leading governance and risk frameworks will be crucial for UMB's continued success. Laing, who also serves as a Non-Executive Director on multiple boards, expressed her enthusiasm to work with UMB's leadership team to enhance customer experiences, strengthen relationships, and contribute to the bank's growth.

Since its establishment in 1972, UMB has earned a reputation for supporting customers and communities during critical times. With Laing's appointment, UMB further solidifies its commitment to delivering on this promise.