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Goolam Ballim (Chief Economist and Head of Research at Standard Bank)

Goolam Ballim

Chief Economist and Head of Research at Standard Bank

Goolam Ballim is the chief economist and head of research for the Standard Bank Group, having served in this role since May 2004. The bank’s commercial emphasis is on Africa and the research function supports this endeavor.

Standard Bank Research comprises 53 analysts and 10 support staff, variously located in Johannesburg, Nairobi, Lagos, London and Beijing.

Goolam Ballim is a previous winner of the top South Africa economist award and his team consistently earns accolades for macroeconomic research on Africa as well as numerous sectoral, industry and financial markets honors. He heads a research team whose particular strength is its analysis of macroeconomic and political economy subjects in Africa and leading emerging economies.

Goolam’s interest spans politics, the real economy and financial markets. He pilots Standard Bank’s views in these areas and has a particular interest in public policy. Goolam has served as advisor to various public officials and was participant in the crafting of South Africa’s New Growth Path.

Goolam Ballim regularly engages in public dialogue on national and continental issues and routinely addresses audiences across the global.

Goolam read for degrees in economics, business economics and accountancy at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg and Rhodes University in the Eastern Cape.

Christian Dunbar (City Treasurer at City of Philidelphia)

Christian Dunbar

City Treasurer at City of Philidelphia

Christian Dunbar, City Treasurer, was appointed in July 2019. Prior to his appointment Dunbar was Deputy City Treasurer of Philadelphia. In this capacity, Dunbar oversees the issuance of all notes and bonds on behalf of the City’s General Fund and Enterprise Funds used to finance capital projects.

Prior to joining the City, Dunbar was a Wealth Manager with Wells Fargo Advisor where he managed investments and credit products for high-net-worth individuals, institutions, and public entities. He has held a Series 7 and Series 66 professional License.

Currently, he serves as a Mayoral appointee and Chairman of the Philadelphia Land Bank Board of Directors and as an advisor to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), World Bank Group for the advancement of capital market development, structured product development, and governance in Emerging Markets. Dunbar has also advised several African governments on fiscal and monetary policy.