It is with the deepest regret that we note this morning the tragic death of Nevine Loutfy, an iconic Egyptian banker with an international profile. We join the Federation of Egyptian Banks in offering our condolences to Fatma Loutfy, Nevine’s sister, and in mourning the passing of an outstanding professional.

Hesham Ezz Al-Arab, chairman of the Egyptian Federation of Banks, said yesterday, “Our world is poorer today. All of our members mourn the passing of a woman who was not just a consummate professional — an excellent banker and helpful colleague — but of a good, moral and positive human being who many of us were honored to call a personal friend. Nevine will be greatly missed."

At the time of her death, Nevine was managing director and chief executive officer of ADIB Egypt, where she became the first Arab woman to lead an Islamic bank. She joined ADIB after a storied career at Citibank, where she was previously chief operating officer, managing director and business senior credit officer at Citi’s EMEA Commercial Bank in London.

Ahram Online republished yesterday an older interview with Nevine it had previously run. It made us smile in places.