Executive Vice-President & Head, Global Transaction Banking

As Executive Vice-President & Head, Global Transaction Banking (GTB), Alberta Cefis is leading the evolution of trade services, correspondent banking, cash management, payments, e-commerce and e-banking at Scotiabank … in order to provide global business solutions to multinational, corporate, commercial and small business customers.

Alberta assumed her current position in May 2006. Prior to this role, she was Executive Vice-President, Domestic Personal Lending & Insurance, and President & CEO, Scotia Mortgage Corporation … with responsibility for consumer and small business lending, commercial automotive lending, insurance services, and retail risk management.

Alberta joined Scotiabank in 1999. She has extensive experience in retail banking, wealth management, business banking, risk management, operations and service delivery, marketing, merger management, strategic planning and organizational development. She was named to The 25 Most Powerful Women In Banking in 2008 (by US Banker); and, was named Canadian Woman Leader of the Year in 2007 (by the Federated Press). Alberta was inducted into “The Hall of Fame” of Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women in 2007, and was named to the Top 100 List from 2003 to 2006 (by the Women's Executive Network). She was the 2006 recipient of the President’s Award from the Italian Chamber of Commerce of Toronto, which honours individuals for business excellence. She was profiled in the 2006 book entitled Celebration - 32 Inspiring Women of Italian Origin. Alberta has co-authored a book, with Scotiabank colleague Roberta Hague, entitled “The Truth About Mortgages – How To Make The Most Of Your Borrowing Power.” The book, now in its second printing, is aimed at empowering customers in their decision making, and all proceeds are gifted to Habitat for Humanity.

Alberta is multilingual, and graduated from McGill University with both a Bachelor of Arts, Joint Honours degree in Political Science & Literature, and a Master in Business Administration. She is involved in a number of boards, industry associations and community endeavours. Currently, she is a Chair of the Board of Directors of Opera Atelier, a world-class baroque opera company in Toronto; Director of the Board of the Italian Chamber of Commerce of Toronto; and, Member of the Cabinet for the Sunnybrook Breast Cancer Research Centre Campaign. Alberta has also served as Director of the Visa International Board (from 2004-2007), and as Director of the Visa Canada Association Board (from 1999-2007); as Director of the Scotia Mortgage Corporation Board (from 1999-2006); as Chair of the Chip Executive Council (an industry committee that championed the migration to chip technology in Canada; from 2000-2006); and, she was Member of the National Advisory Committee for the United Nations’ 2006 World Urban Forum.