Nancy Hughes Anthony, president and CEO of the Canadian Bankers Association, has announced her decision to retire in the spring of 2011, once a successor is in place.

Hughes Anthony is retiring after 40 years of working in government, the private sector and business associations. She said she is looking forward to spending more time with her family and having an active retirement that includes travel and staying involved in business.

“It has been a privilege to be the head of Canada’s most important business association representing member banks at a time when Canada’s banking system was shown to be a model to the world,” said Hughes Anthony. “With strong member support and involvement, the CBA has been a clear voice and advocate for the industry in Canada and abroad and has strengthened its reputation as a source of expertise on public policy issues affecting banks.”

“Ms. Hughes Anthony has successfully led the CBA through some of the most complex and challenging issues facing banks, particularly during the global financial crisis,” said Réjean Lévesque, executive vice-president of retail and commercial banking at National Bank Financial Group and chair of the CBA executive council. “Ms. Hughes Anthony has been an extremely effective spokesperson on behalf of banks in Canada at a time when the industry around the world has come under intense scrutiny. On behalf of all members and staff of the CBA, I wish to express our appreciation for her excellent work and wish her the best in her future pursuits.”

Prior to joining the CBA in early 2007, Hughes Anthony was president and CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. During her career, she also gained senior experience in the federal and provincial governments as well as the private sector, having served as a federal deputy minister, a senior advisor to the government of Prince Edward Island and as a corporate vice-president.

The CBA’s executive council has created a search committee and will begin the process of recruiting a new president and CEO.

IE