After a failed attempt to fill the important position, Commerzbank finds a new board – again in Austria.
Commerzbank is making a new attempt to fill the risk board position. The supervisory board has appointed long-time Erste Group Bank manager Bernd Spalt to this position, the institute announced on Monday. In January 2024, he will succeed Chief Risk Officer Marcus Chromik, who will leave at the end of 2023 as announced. Spalt’s appeal is still subject to the supervisory authority’s approval. There were problems here with the previous line-up. Commerzbank manager Rüdiger Rass, who was originally intended for the board position, withdrew his candidacy in June following concerns from banking regulators. Spalt worked for the Austrian Erste Group Bank for 32 years, primarily in risk management, and was CEO from 2020 to 2022. However, he unexpectedly left after disagreements with the supervisory board. “What distinguishes him is that he successfully shouldered responsibility in difficult times and in various markets and gained valuable experience,” said Commerzbank Supervisory Board Chairman Jens Weidmann. With Spalt, however, three Commerzbank board members come from Erste Group.