Our management

Vakhtang Abrahamyan is a distinguished banking and financial services executive with nearly three decades of leadership experience across central banking, financial market development, institutional transformation, and digital finance.

Since May 2026, he has served as Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Management Board of ARARATBANK OJSC, bringing extensive expertise in financial sector governance, strategic leadership, and innovation to the Bank’s development.

Prior to joining ARARATBANK, Abrahamyan served as Chief Executive Officer of Fastex from November 2022 to September 2025, where he spearheaded the company’s strategic transformation and development within the rapidly evolving Web3 and digital assets ecosystem. Between December 2025 and April 2026, he was a member of the Board of Directors of Unibank OJSC and served as Senior Advisor to the CEO of Grant Thornton Armenia.

Vakhtang Abrahamyan spent nearly three decades at the Central Bank of Armenia, holding a series of senior leadership positions, including Deputy Governor from 2015. During his tenure, he played a significant role in the development and modernization of Armenia’s financial system, contributing to the establishment of critical financial market infrastructure, the advancement of institutional governance, and initiatives aimed at strengthening financial stability, public confidence, and financial inclusion.

His career reflects a distinctive combination of central banking expertise, private-sector executive leadership, and hands-on experience in financial innovation. With a deep understanding of both traditional financial systems and emerging digital technologies, Mr. Abrahamyan brings a comprehensive perspective to the evolving global financial landscape.

His professional focus encompasses sustainable financial sector development, institutional resilience, digital transformation, and the creation of accessible, innovative, and trusted financial services.

Born on 11 June 1981

Education

2021 | Master of Business Administration (MBA) | American University of Armenia
2004-2006 | Master’s degree in Finance and Credit | Artsakh State University
1998-2002 | Bachelor’s degree in General Economics | Artsakh State University

Qualification

2025 | Oxford Strategic Management Executive Programme | University of Oxford
2025 | Leadership in the Digital Age Programme | INSEAD, Singapore (in collaboration with FMO)
2024 | Certified Expert in Risk Management, Corporate Governance & Compliance | Frankfurt School of Finance & Management

Work Activity

2026 - to date |  Financial Director, Member of the Management Board| ARARATBANK OJSC 

2021 - 2026 | Deputy CEO | ARARATBANK OJSC 
2020 - to date | Executive Board member | ARARATBANK OJSC 
2018-2021 | Head of the Risk Management Department | ARARATBANK OJSC 
2014-2018 | Head of the Strategy and Methodology Department | ARARATBANK OJSC 
2008-2014 | Branch manager | ARARATBANK OJSC 
2007-2008 | Branch manager | Ardshininvestbank CJSC
2006-2007 | Chief Executive Officer | Justi Insurance Company CJSC
2005-2006 | Chief accountant | Justi Insurance Company CJSC
2004-2005 | Credit officer | Ardshininvestbank CJSC
1998-2002 | Leading specialist | National Seismic Protection Service of Armenia 

Military Service

2002-2004 | First sergeant

Teaching Experience

2012 - 2020 | Trainer | American University of Armenia, Continuing Education Program

Languages

Armenian, English, Russian

Marital Status

Married, has two sons

Retail banking executive with over 20 years of experience in Armenia’s banking sector, specializing in retail banking, strategic business development, and digital transformation.

She has held senior management positions at VTB Bank (Armenia) and ArmBusinessBank (currently AMIO Bank), where she led key initiatives in retail business development, product and service development, sales and service channel expansion, and branch network management and optimization.

Her professional experience also encompasses international fintech consulting and entrepreneurship, with a focus on digital lending, payment ecosystems, and business development.

Alongside her executive career, she has extensive experience as a corporate trainer, delivering programs in sales effectiveness, customer service, and customer experience.

She holds a university degree in Economics, specializing in Finance and Credit

Aram Poghosyan is a senior risk executive with over 18 years of experience in the banking and financial services industry. His expertise spans enterprise risk management and risk governance across strategic, financial, operational, compliance and reputational risk, with executive-level leadership in risk appetite and regulatory engagement.

Aram Poghosyan spent more than 16 years with HSBC Group (2008–2024), including international assignments in the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates and Greece across change delivery, customer experience and product management. On returning to HSBC Bank Armenia, he moved into risk management and progressed through a series of senior leadership roles.

He led Risk Strategy & Analytics, Security & Fraud Risk, Retail Banking & Wealth Risk, and most recently Wholesale Credit & Market Risk, also serving as Deputy Chief Risk Officer from 2015 to 2024. Across these roles, he oversaw the bank’s retail and wholesale credit portfolios, market and counterparty risk, operational risk, stress testing and impairment governance, and provided risk and macroeconomic insight for the company.

From December 2024 to May 2025, he served as Chief Risk & Compliance Officer at ArdshinInvestBank CJSC, the successor of HSBC Bank Armenia.

Before joining AraratBank, he worked as a Risk Management Consultant, advising financial institutions and fintech-related engagements on enterprise risk, regulatory compliance and risk framework design.

He holds a Master of Science in Banking and Insurance, with a major in Financial Risk Management, and a Bachelor of Science in Economic Regulation, both from the Armenian State University of Economics.

His professional development also includes the HSBC Group Executive Management Program (2009–2011), as well as international executive forums and programs in the United Kingdom, France, Malta, Greece and the United Arab Emirates on credit and risk management, leadership, regulation and financial innovation.

He was appointed Chief Risk Officer of AraratBank in July 2026.

Born in 1979, Yerevan, Armenia.

Education

2002-2004 | Master’s Degree in Management | Yerevan State University

1996-2000 | Bachelor’s Degree in Economics | Yerevan State University

Professional Experience

September 2026 - Present | Chief Investment Officer | AraratBank OJSC

2006-August 2026 | Various positions, including Deputy Head of the Investment Department | ArmSwissBank CJSC

2005-2006 | Economist | HaySavingsBank CJSC

June-August 2005 | Registry Specialist | Central Depository of Armenia

Military Service

2000-2002 | Compulsory Military Service, RA Armed Forces

Languages

Armenian, English, Russian

Married, four children.

Education and qualifications

Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)

ACCA Member (AB, MA, FA, LW, PM, TX, FR, AA, FM, SBR, SBL, AAA, AFM) | December 2016 – 2023

December 2016 – 2023

Certified Auditor and Accountant (CAAA)

Chamber of Auditors and Expert Accountants in Armenia | December 2023

Yerevan State University

Master’s Degree, Finance, Money Turnover, and Credit | 2012 – 2014

Bachelor’s Degree, Economics | 2008 – 2012

Certifications & Training

• IAB International Academy of Business: Basic Financial Accounting Courses | 2015 – 2016
• ISET, Tbilisi State University: Economic Theory Certification | April – May 2012
• IFRS Foundation Annual Conference: London, United Kingdom | June 2023

Professional Experience

From August 2026 till today - AraratBank OJSC, Deputy CFO / Chief Accountant | Member of Executive Board

August 2024 - June 2026 - Fastex group of Companies, Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

November 2023 - August 2024 - Ameriabank CJSC, Head of Reporting and Methodology Department

November 2021 - November 2023 - Ameriabank CJSC, IFRS Manager

December 2020 - November 2021 - Deloitte Armenia CJSC, Audit Manager

September 2018 - December 2020 - Deloitte Armenia CJSC, Senior Auditor

September 2015 - Septmeber 2018 - Deloitte Armenia CJSC, Audit assistant

International experience

• Deloitte LLP, London, United Kingdom

Assistant Manager – TP ICAP (International Financial Broker) | January 2020 – March 2020

• Deloitte & Touche USC, Kiev, Ukraine

Senior Auditor – Piraeus Bank, Agroprosperis Bank | 2019

• Deloitte & Touche CIS, Moscow, Russian Federation

Audit Assistant (In-charge) – MTS Bank, Ikano Bank, and Ikano Finance | 2018

• Deloitte & Touche USC, Kiev, Ukraine

Audit Assistant (In-charge) – DV Bank, Louis Dreyfus Company | 2016 – 2017

Born on April 06, 1968 in Yerevan, Armenia.

1991: Graduate of Yerevan Institute of National Economy
1991-1993: Tira Commercial Enterprise.
1994-1998: Post-graduate of the Institute of National Economy, Finance and Loans Department.
1994-2004: Ardshinbank OJSC, Head of the Division, Head of the Department thereafter.
2004-2006: Deputy Minister of the RA Trade and Economic Development.
February 2006 – December 2016: Chairman of the Executive Board of the Armenian Development Bank OJSC.
24 February 2017: Deputy CEO of ARARATBANK OJSC.

November 1, 2019 – February 23, 2020: Acting CEO of ARARATBANK OJSC

February 24, 2020 to February 2026: First Deputy CEO of ARARATBANK OJSC

From Septmeber 2026 Karen Sargsyan is Corporate Business Director, is an Executive Board Member.

Marital status: married, two children․

Yeghishe Stepanyan was born on September 4, 1977.

Yeghishe Stepanyan is a senior financial sector executive with over 20 years of leadership experience across banking and business operations.

He holds a Master’s degree in Management and Economics from the Armenian State University of Economics.

He started his professional career in public service at an agency of the RA Ministry of Environment. He holds a civil service rank.

Between 2005 and 2016, Yeghishe Stepanyan held several leadership positions across Ardshinbank CJSC’s Lending, Portfolio Management, and Internal Audit functions.

During 2016-2025, he served as Head of Internal Audit, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Risk Management Officer at SoftConstruct.

From 2022 to 2026, he served in executive roles at several UAE-based companies, leading their establishment, strategic growth and day-to-day management from inception. During this period, he also held executive responsibility for the management and operations of Fastex Exchange.

Since August 2026, Yeghishe Stepanyan has served as Chief Operating Officer and a member of the Management Board of ARARATBANK OJSC.

Yeghishe Stepanyan’s expertise spans banking operations, corporate governance, financial infrastructure, risk management and digital finance technologies.

Married, three children.

Born on August 04, 1984 in Yerevan, Armenia. 
2006: Graduate of the Law Faculty of the French University Foundation in Armenia. 
March-June 2006, June 2008-December 2010: Legal Department of the Central Bank of Armenia.

December 2010 – October 2011: Advisor to the CEO of AraratBank OJSC.
October 2011 to present: Head of the Legal Department of ARARATBANK  OJSC, from 2026 is the Acting Chief Legal Officer.
March 2015 to present: Executive Board member of ARARATBANK  OJSC. 
Marital status: married.

Born on September 22, 1984, in Yerevan

Education

• 2004, Yerevan State University, Faculty of Economics, Bachelor
• 2014, Yerevan State University, Faculty of Economics, Master
• 2023, American University of Armenia, Graduate Executive Certificate in Management
• 2024, The Fletcher School аt Tufts University, Public policy and public administration

Work experience

• 2007 - 2016, Central Bank of the Republic of Armenia, Financial Supervision Department, Banking Supervision Division, Supervisor
• 2015 - 2016, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Office of Compliance, Inspections and Examinations, Seconded Specialist
• 2016 - 2018, Central Bank of the Republic of Armenia, Financial Supervision Department, Foreign Exchange Operations Supervision Division, Head of Division
• 2018 - 2020, Central Bank of the Republic of Armenia, Financial Supervision Department, IT and Payment and Settlement Organizations Supervision Division, Head of Division
• 2020 - 2024, Central Bank of the Republic of Armenia, Deputy Head of IT Department
• 2024 - 2025, Central Bank of the Republic of Armenia, Head of IT Department
• 2025 - 2026 Head of Internal Audit at ARARATBANK OJSC
• 2026 till today - Chief Technology Officer, Board Member at ARARATBANK OJSC

Member of the Board of Directors of "EKENG" CJSC.

Marital status: married, has two sons.