Yasser Ghazi is at the forefront of Meridian Credit Union’s Ottawa growth, blending strategic leadership with a deep dedication to empowering both his team and the local business community.
In the world of finance, where the sharpness of numbers often overshadows the subtleties of human connection, Yasser Ghazi has found a way to balance both. It’s an impressive ideal–one that’s even harder to implement–and as a leader of one of Ottawa’s largest commercial banking cooperatives, the Cairo-born entrepreneur is proof of its professional triumph.
Leaving his vibrant home city of Cairo in 1997, Yasser earned his honors degree in Finance and Economics from the University of Ottawa. He began his professional path at NAV Canada, where a summer job in Pension Fund Investment Management set the stage for a series of rapid advancements in the financial services industry. Starting as a Teller, he quickly moved up the ranks, gaining experience at various financial institutions before being headhunted into key roles with TD and CIBC. His relentless drive and ability to grow both personal and corporate brands was quickly noticed by Meridian, one of Canada’s largest credit unions with roots in Ontario. Known for its member-focused approach to personal and business banking as a cooperative, Meridian offered the perfect platform for Yasser to challenge himself. “Each step in my career has been about seizing opportunities and proving that with the right mindset, you can make a significant impact,” The forward-looking leader reflects.
The opportunity was to lead growth and innovation in the Ottawa market, and Yasser’s area of impact would be in commercial deposits and client portfolios. His strong skill set was met by progressive leadership at the company–one relationship in particular, a collaborative working partnership with Regional Vice President Rafik Gabriel, was instrumental. “Rafik is the type of leader to trust, encourage, and know that he hired you for a reason and so to let you fulfill the vision you had planned.” A smart move by Rafik, who was very quickly awarded with the merits of this approach. Under Ghazi’s leadership, Meridian’s Ottawa branch experienced significant growth in their commercial market. But for Ghazi, the numbers are just part of the story. He has supported the development of a highly specialized team, with each member bringing specialized expertise that benefits Meridian’s clients in unique ways. “We have team members who used to work for real estate developers and understand projects better than a traditional financier,” Ghazi notes. This level of specialization allows Meridian Ottawa to offer tailored solutions that go beyond standard banking services.
“At Meridian, our true strength lies in leveraging our connections to support business owners beyond just their financial needs.”
Ghazi’s approach to leadership is rooted in a deep understanding of what business owners need today: advice, not just services. “We are advisors first, bankers second,” he emphasizes. This philosophy has helped Meridian stand out in a crowded market, where the real value lies in the ability to offer not just financial products, but strategic insights that drive success.
As he looks to the future, Ghazi is focused on intentional growth and deepening Meridian’s community ties, specifically at the helm of the Meridian For Good initiative. “We want to make sure everything we do is intentional, to ensure that everyone has access to fair and equitable banking,” he says. It’s a vision that is as much about doing good as it is about doing business, a reflection of Ghazi’s and Meridian’s belief that strong communities build strong businesses.
In a rapidly changing financial landscape, Yasser Ghazi’s strategic leadership is not just guiding Meridian’s growth in Ottawa—it’s setting a new standard for what financial institutions can achieve when they prioritize people as much as profits.
By Catheryn Wheeler
