Meet Our Senior Partner
Yakan AbdelMajeed
Senior Partner & Executive General Manager
In March 2023, after thirty years, I walked out of my last institutional banking role. By September I had launched Mondlicht LLC in Dubai. People thought it was bold and early. I thought it was overdue.
Three decades inside Egypt and GCC credit committees, Gulf Bank in Kuwait, KFIC,Kuwait, AUB Ahli United Bank, Kuwait (during transtion from Conventional to Islamic Banking), and most recently at Commercial Bank of Qatar from 2014 till 2023, taught me one thing above everything else: the Client/principal always needs a better adviser than they have.
The business owner sitting across the table from a lender is almost always at a disadvantage. They don't know how credit committees make decisions. They don't know where the real room for negotiation exists. They don't know what the banker is thinking when they ask a question. I do.
Mondlicht was built to change that. We sit exclusively on your side. We speak the language of the institution, because we were the institution. And we use that to work entirely for you.
I began my career in Cairo — at American Express of Egypt straight out of university, then six years at CIB Commercial International Bank (Egypt) where I was trained by the top tier veterans in Corporate Finance in the region. Passed the rigorous Chase Manhattan Credit Programme during my tenure in CIB. Egypt exposure taught me the fundamentals of credit analysis and capital markets. The GCC built the rest. This is exactly what clients need.
Previous Positions
30+
Years of GCC & MENA Banking Experience
US$5B+
Loan Book management Across GCC & MENA
US$300M+
Debt Workouts and Restructurings
5
GCC & MENA Institutions Credit & Executive Committee Exposure
9
Countries experience
Egypt, Kuwait, Qatar, UAE, Lebanon, Jordan, Bahrain, Oman & Pakistan
Career Progress
Mondlicht LLC — Executive General Manager, Sep 2023 – Present Dubai,
Dubai, UAE | Doha, Qatar | GCC & MENA
Leads debt restructuring and workout advisory across the GCC, acting for UHNW clients and corporates in complex multi-bank situations exceeding US$300 million. Represents clients in negotiations with regional lenders, securing restructured terms that preserve liquidity, protect asset bases, and avoid enforcement or liquidation. Designs and executes restructuring strategies that align borrower constraints with creditor expectations, navigating legal and regulatory frameworks to deliver sustainable outcomes while safeguarding client reputation and lender relationships.
Commercial Bank of Qatar (CBQ) Senior AGM, Special Assets
2014 – 2023
Manage Special Assets and restructuring across complex corporate and UHNW exposures, with direct oversight of asset quality, credit appraisal, and portfolio monitoring. Served as Chairman of the Special Assets Management Committee, voting member of the Management Credit Committee, and alternate to the CRO on the Early Alert Committee, shaping risk governance and strategic credit decisions. Directed high-value restructurings and recovery actions, reducing NPLs and safeguarding the bank’s position, while working closely with legal counsel and senior stakeholders on remedial strategies. Contributed to risk policy, business planning, and leadership development across the function.
Ahli United Bank, Kuwait
Head of Risk Management & Head of Special Assets · 2010 – 2014
Promoted to lead the full risk function with oversight of 50+ professionals across credit risk, special assets, market and operational risk, retail credit, credit control and administration, real estate finance, and ICAAP/stress testing. Served as voting member of the Credit Committee and alternate to the Senior Credit Committee, with delegated approval authority across corporate, FI, and sovereign exposures. Led watchlist and remedial portfolios, executing restructuring and recovery strategies on large wholesale and UHNW exposures, materially reducing NPLs and preserving asset quality. Drove risk identification, monitoring, and reporting frameworks, ensuring regulatory compliance while delivering actionable credit insights and early warning signals. Developed high-performing teams and strengthened risk governance across the bank.
Kuwait Finance & Investment Company (KFIC), Executive Vice President, Investment & Corporate Finance · 2008 – 2010
Reported directly to the CEO, leading direct investments and corporate finance activities across a US$300M portfolio spanning public and private equity. Oversaw investment strategy, asset allocation, and execution across multiple sectors including telecom, real estate, and financial services, while managing a team of investment professionals and contributing at board and executive committee level across group entities. Served as a voting member of the Investment Committee, originating, evaluating, and approving transactions, and endorsing valuations, financing structures, and capital management strategies.
Executed and exited transactions exceeding US$350M, including cross-border telecom mandates and private equity divestments across MENA and the US, consistently delivering profitable outcomes. Led strategic initiatives including KFIC’s first PPP project
Gulf Bank K.S.C., Kuwait. Head of Contracting Finance Division
2000 – 2008
Led corporate banking coverage for contracting, infrastructure, and project finance, managing a loan portfolio exceeding US$3bn. Drove sustained growth of the portfolio while maintaining strong asset quality, consistently outperforming targets over multiple years. Acted as Deputy GM with delegated authority and Credit Committee voting rights, overseeing credit approvals, portfolio risk, and client strategy across large corporate exposures.
Directed origination, structuring, and execution of major transactions within the construction sector, serving as lead negotiator with key clients and stakeholders. Built and led high-performing, multicultural teams, strengthened portfolio monitoring and credit discipline, and contributed to strategic planning and governance initiatives across the bank.
Commercial International Bank (CIB) — Assistant Manager, Risk Exposure Management · Jul 1994 – Sep 2000
Cairo, Egypt · Chase Manhattan Credit Training (1996) · Corporate banking Wholesale in tourism, automotive & Electronics Teams. Assistant Manager, Risk Exposure Management Group, Commercial International Bank (1994–2000)
Built early career across credit analysis, corporate banking, and risk management within Egypt’s leading private sector bank. Completed Chase Manhattan Bank credit training program and progressed to Senior Credit Analyst, co-managing sector portfolios including automotive, electronics, and tourism, with exposure to complex hospitality and travel financings.
Promoted to Risk Exposure Management, leading engagement with international rating agencies including Standard & Poor’s, Fitch Ratings, Capital Intelligence, and Nile Rating, supporting investor relations and external credit positioning. Contributed to Egypt’s privatization and capital markets activity, with exposure to IPOs, M&A, LBOs, and debt-equity restructurings, and began in international banking supporting EU-backed sector financing programs and correspondent bank relationships.
American Express of Egypt Ltd. — Credit & Risk Associate · Jun 1993 – Aug 1994
Credit Analyst, Cards Division, American Express (1993–1994)
Started in consumer credit risk within the cards business, managing delinquent portfolios and early-stage arrears (30–90 days past due). Executed collection and remedial strategies to contain roll rates and reduce NPL exposure, while approving tailored repayment arrangements that balanced customer retention with risk control. Established a strong foundation in credit assessment, collections, and portfolio risk management.
Chase Manhattan Bank Credit Training Programme · 1996
Mondlicht operates on a simple principle: the principal deserves a better seat at the table. We provide it.