Rifaat G. Farha
Rifaat G. Farha
Testimonials
A highly experienced and accomplished Private Banker, Investment Advisor, and Money Manager with major global banks for over 40 years, Rifaat has amassed profound experience in investment product knowledge, foreign exchange, asset management, and investment advisory, encompassing most asset classes.
As a profitable trader, with an intuitive awareness of investment opportunities, Rifaat has worked in Switzerland, London, and the Middle East (a fluent Arabic speaker). In all roles, he has been able to establish and retain strong bonds with clients, understanding their needs and creating individualized, high-impact investment strategies. This has resulted in a track record of strong, positive returns and wealth preservation, and most importantly, has helped investors overcome financial market crises with creative financial solutions.
With such a varied and successful background, Rifaat has the ability to utilize the majority of financial products to optimize portfolio returns. Products range from equities, bonds, and currencies to alternative investments and closed/open ended funds, in addition to derivatives to enhance returns and limit exposure. Rifaat believes that he can share his experience with aspiring and active investors whereby they can develop and improve their knowledge of financial markets. This can be accomplished by leading them in an interactive process to understand, feel, and recognize how investment products function in real life situations.
Rifaat began his career with Citibank in 1979, where upon his completion of the executive training programs, was assigned to Citibank (later Samba) in Riyadh. There he held the positions of Operations Officer and Corporate Banker.
In 1986, he joined E.F. Hutton (a leading U.S. brokerage firm) in London as a Licensed Broker.
In 1988, Rifaat rejoined Citibank Private Bank in Zurich Switzerland as an Investment Adviser. Since then, he has built his banking and investment experience, and has worked with major global banks in Geneva until becoming an independent Asset Manager in 2009.
BSc Mathematics & Statistics, Wichita State University, Kansas, US
Executive training in credit and lending, Citibank, Athens, Greece
Operations and treasury management for executive trainees, Citibank, Athens, Greece
Holder of Series III and VII brokerage licences, US
Self-Employed Money Manager [since Feb. 2009 to date]
- Applies extensive experience of top-tier investment banking to the management of small-scale investments within a more entrepreneurial environment.
- Focuses on equities, currencies and options, developing highly individualized solutions and managing assets prudently to preserve and grow wealth.
Citibank (Switzerland), Geneva [Feb 05 – Jan 09]
PRIVATE BANKER / INVESTMENT COUNSELOR – MIDDLE EAST DEPARTMENT (Director Status) [Dec 05 – Jan 09]
- Provided expansion investment advice, developing high-impact investment strategies and recommending appropriate products in order to achieve investment objectives.
- Utilized a detailed understanding of investment products to work closely with the product team ensuring the very best products were offered and led the introduction of new instruments.
- Secured internal approval for the introduction of long dated options to clients, with many bankers becoming active users of the instrument.
- Effectively utilised product and industry knowledge to identify appropriate investment products for sale to bankers and their client.
Bank Sal Oppenheim Jr & Cie (Switzerland), Geneva [Nov 03 – Jan 05]
HEAD OF MIDDLE EAST DEPARTMENT (Managing Director Status)
- Utilised an expansive network to build up an asset book of HNW individuals and institutions.
- Led all portfolio management activity, offering investment advice and delivering appropriate financial solutions.
- Promoted an internal understanding of the complexities of money management within the region.
Chase Manhattan Bank (Switzerland) / J.P Morgan (Switzerland), Geneva [Oct 96 – Oct 03]
1-SENIOR RELATIONSHIP MANAGER (Vice President Status) [Oct 96 – Oct 03]
- Actively sold private equity funds, alternative investment funds, guaranteed structures, and derivatives.
- Led the design and delivery of innovative and effective investment strategies, working with the product team to create financial solutions which met the clients’ immediate and future needs.
2-DEPUTY HEAD – MIDDLE EAST CLIENT MANAGEMENT FUNCTION (Vice President Status) [Oct 99 – Mar 01]
- Managerial role, overseeing all client management activities (duties held concurrently with above role).
Deutsche Bank [Dec 95 – Aug 96]
MANAGER OF THE INTERNATIONAL INVESTMENTS DEPARTMENT (Managerial Status), United Saudi
Commercial Bank, Geneva / Riyadh
- Seconded to the United Saudi Commercial Bank and led the start-up and operational management of an international brokerage service (initially covering US stock markets).
- Managed the end-to-end start-up project, recruiting a team and marketing investment management services.
Clariden Bank, Geneva [Jun 92 – Nov 95]
PORTFOLIO MANAGER (Vice President Status)
- Assisted the CEO in the management of his clients’ portfolios.
- Rejuvenated the portfolio through introducing new products and clients which resulted in improved returns and the effective safeguarding of assets.
Citibank (Switzerland), Zurich/ Geneva [Apr 88 – May 92]
SENIOR RELATIONSHIP MANAGER (Vice President Status) [Jan 90 – May 92]
- Due to previous brokerage experience, commenced employment in a relationship management role covering the Middle East. With his excellent technical knowledge he was assigned for the establishment and execution of investment strategies across asset classes to a sophisticated client base. In addition to his marketing and advisory role, he distinguished himself to successfully guide his clients
with their foreign exchange trading needs.
Pre 1988
1-ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE (Broker Status), E.F.Hutton & Co, London [Oct 86 – Mar 88]
- Provided investment advice and brokerage services on US equity and commodity markets.
2-SENIOR ACCOUNT MANAGER (Managerial Status), Saudi American Bank (Citibank), Riyadh
- Managed credit facilities for construction, hotel, and healthcare companies [Apr 82 – Aug 86]
3-OPERATIONS MANAGER (Managerial Status), Saudi American Bank (Citibank), Riyadh [Apr 80 – Apr 82]
- Managed the commercial credit department.
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