The CEO Who Thought Big and Delivered Bigger: Bernd van Linder’s Story

When Bernd van Linder took over as the CEO at Commercial Bank of Dubai (CBD) in 2017, he boldly set the target to double the bank’s size. Six years and one global pandemic have now passed since then; his vision has not only been realized but surpassed by far, putting CBD amongst the leading financial institutions in the UAE. With a balance sheet twice the size it was and with a significant increase in market share, van Linder’s leadership has taken CBD to new heights.

Bernd van Linder recognized CBD’s potential from the very start. “This was a bank with a fantastic starting point to really double in size,” he shared in an interview. Truly so, CBD has grown extremely, with profitability and market share having increased from 2% to nearly 5%. This optimism about the UAE economic future fosters his strategic decisions. Given Dubai as a global centre for finance and commerce offered an ideal environment for expanding CBD. Van Linder’s leadership has aligned CBD’s growth with the ambition of the emirate, gaining on opportunities in home financing as well as digital banking.

Before his banking journey, van Linder earned a PhD in Artificial Intelligence from the University of Utrecht and later an MBA in Financial Management. This unique background has given him an edge in understanding and leveraging technology. “Technology is a fantastic enabler when used effectively,” van Linder remarks. Under his guidance, CBD embraced digital transformation, a shift accelerated by the pandemic. From seamless customer service during lockdowns to long-term changes in consumer behaviour, the bank’s digital push solidified its position as a forward-thinking institution.

The COVID-19 pandemic put businesses around the world to the test, but van Linder’s leadership ensured that CBD not only survived but thrived. Prioritizing the safety of employees and customers, the bank adapted rapidly to changing circumstances while ensuring uninterrupted services. This period also highlighted the significance of fintech partnerships. Working with innovative companies, CBD implemented cutting-edge solutions to address banking challenges while fostering mutual growth.

It’s opening up Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Bahrain, taking market shares left untapped by competitors. “There is still 95% in the local market that we do not have,” he said of the vast possibilities. Yet, while all numbers read success, what matters more to van Linder in CBD’s success is its growing talent. The bank hired nearly 100 UAE nationals in 2023 to date, with a commitment to nurturing local expertise. “Developing talent is our contribution to the UAE’s economy and society,” he says.

Under van Linder’s leadership, CBD has reached many of the highest financial metrics among UAE banks. Its net profits doubled to almost $545 million, and the bank was able to boast of being the one with the cost-to-income ratio in the region. “We have one of the highest returns on equity in the UAE,” he proudly states.

Bernd van Linder, in his leadership at CBD, has embodied visionary thinking. Through alignment of growth with technology, resilience, and commitment to talent, he has positioned the bank on a sustainable success course in the UAE and for the future. As innovation and expansion continue to mark CBD’s journey, the legacy of transformation forged by van Linder will surely play a guiding role.