Robert Zekraus has left Scotiabank for financial services technology vendor Pirum Systems.
Zekraus has vacated his position as managing director, global banking and markets, prime services at the Canadian multinational, a role he has held in New York for six-and-a-half years.
He also served on the bank’s US board and on the board of directors at Scotia Capital in an advisory capacity.
Zekraus will be on gardening leave until he joins Pirum as chief operating officer and head of North America in early May.
Before Scotiabank, Zekraus worked for more than a decade at Barclays Investment Bank, in both New York and London. During his 15-year tenure at the banking giant, Zekraus was head of US securities lending and worked in the equity finance funding and financing sales division.
Phil Morgan, CEO of Pirum, says: “I am extremely excited to have attracted someone of Bob’s caliber to the business and my management team. He brings with him significant experience in global markets, collateral management and financial technology.
“This, coupled with his personality, connectivity and work ethic will immediately accelerate our business trajectory in North America and beyond.”
The senior hire comes as part of Morgan’s ambitions to grow his firm’s North American presence this year.
Speaking exclusively to SFT shortly after assuming the top job, Morgan outlined plans to double Pirum’s New York team and bring new products to market.
Zekraus will join Matthew Lilien, who joined Pirum’s New York team in November 2020 as a director within its business development team.
Lilien joined Pirum after 14 years at J.P. Morgan, where he most recently served in the international equity finance division.
