In 2005 he was promoted to CEO of the leasing company and in 2006 he also took over the CBG Head position. He played an active role in the successful divestiture of the leasing business in 2007. In 2008 under his leadership the legacy CitiBusiness and CBG businesses have been merged into one business, the Commercial Bank (CCB) which he has been successfully managing since than.

Between 1998 and 2003 he worked for Porsche Bank Hungary as the Head of Product Development and Marketing and later for KBC’s Hungarian subsidiary, the K&H Bank Group in the same position. He played a vital role in designing and launching the leasing products of K&H Bank in the late nineties.

In 2001 he was promoted to Sales Director of the Equipment Leasing business of K&H in Hungary and also worked as a local consultant for KBC Lease, covering international vendor leasing matters. During his years with K&H Bank he successfully developed K&H’s equipment leasing business to become one of the top 3 players on the Hungarian leasing market.

Istvan is member of the board of directors of the Hungarian United Way Foundation, a charitable organization and also member of the board of directors of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Hungary.

In 2006 and 2007 Istvan was also a member of the board of the Hungarian Leasing Association where he was instrumental in reshaping the association into an efficient and professional organization that could effectively represent the leasing industry in front of regulators and other government organizations.

Istvan has a masters degree from the University of Economic Sciences of Budapest, Hungary.

Istvan is an active sportsman, besides frequently going to the gym, he does boxing, slalom water skiing and snowboarding, and rides his motorbike in his free time.

1. Where did you grow up?
In Budapest, Hungary.

2. If you could be an expat anywhere in the world, where would you choose?
US west coast, preferably L.A. area.

3. What would you miss most if you moved away from Hungary?
The beautiful city, great friends and the proximity to other great places in Europe.

4. Friends are in Budapest for a weekend - what must they absolutely see and do?
Sightseeing on bicycle, a splendid night in the downtown and a cruise on the Danube.

5. What is your favorite food?
I love seafood, lobster in particular.

6. What is your favorite sport / form of exercise?
I love slalom water skiing, carving snowboarding and boxing.

7. What is your favorite place in Hungary?
A secret spot, the slalom water ski lake where I train.

8. What career other than yours would you love to pursue?
I wanted to become a mathematician when I was in high-school, still not sure if becoming a banker was the right choice.

9. What's a job you would definitely never want?
Huntsman. Could not kill animals.

10. Where did you spend your last vacation?
In the US, L.A. and Las Vegas.

11. Where do you hope to spend your next one?
Anywhere where the sun shines.

12. What was your favorite band, film, or hobby as a teen?
I loved math... does that count as a hobby?

13. Apart of temptation what can't you resist?
Good wine.

14. Red wine or white?
It depends on the season, the food and my mood. I love both.

15. Book or movie?
Movie.

16. Morning person or night person?
Both, I'll sleep when I'm 6 feet under....

17. Which social issue do you feel most strongly about?
Children growing up in poverty.

18. Buda or Pest side?
Buda

19. Which achievement in your life are you most pleased about?
I don't think I have ever achieved anything great, I'm just trying to have fun during this short journey on Earth....

20. What would you say is your personal motto?
"Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming "Wow! What a Ride!" / Hunter S. Thompson