On 30 May 2025, ABA Bank welcomed the Team Canada Trade Mission for an official institutional visit as part of its broader mission to the Kingdom of Cambodia. The visit was intended to brief the delegation with a comprehensive understanding of ABA's footprint and its success in shaping the country's financial sector.
Led by Sara Wilshaw, Canada's Chief Trade Commissioner and Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, International Trade, the delegation met with Askhat Azhikhanov, President and Chief Executive Officer at ABA Bank, alongside high representatives from ABA and National Bank of Canada, at the ABA Bank Head Office.
During the meeting, ABA Bank's top management provided the mission with a thorough overview of its strategic expansion and innovative approaches, tracing its journey to its current position as the largest commercial bank in Cambodia.
The Bank also highlighted its contribution to strengthening the country's financial infrastructure. It includes ABA's efforts to expand the financial landscape through a range of products and services, promote financial inclusion with its flagship ABA Mobile app, and help build confidence in the sector by deploying various IT and cybersecurity tools and solutions.
"It's an honor to receive the Canadian trade mission at ABA Bank. This visit reaffirms a shared interest in understanding the operational foundations that support Cambodia's business landscape," stated Askhat Azhikhanov. "As a subsidiary of National Bank of Canada, we draw upon a robust institutional framework adapted to the needs and dynamism of the Cambodian context. We welcome Canadian businesses wishing to invest in the Kingdom and stay ready to provide them with our thorough service and advanced banking solutions," he added.
With a strong focus on expanding commercial ties, one of the trade mission's objectives was to identify reliable local partners, ones like ABA Bank, that could facilitate future Canadian businesses' investment in Cambodia. Such partnerships would lay a solid foundation for long-term economic interest for both nations.
Ms. Wilshaw commented on the occasion, "Understanding the operational outlook of Cambodia's financial sector is crucial to informing Canadian businesses on how to engage in the market confidently. ABA Bank's growth and success offer a compelling example of how financial institutions can contribute to economic resilience and sustainability," she concluded.
ABA Bank is proud to have played a role in this timely exchange and continues to align with the government's strategy in advancing economic integration and innovation-led growth.
About ABA Bank
ABA Bank is Cambodia's largest commercial bank by assets, deposits, loans, and profitability, according to the Annual Supervision Report 2021-2023 of the National Bank of Cambodia.
The Bank's extensive footprint comprises 101 branches, 46 self-service banking locations, over 1,800 self-service banking machines, and advanced online and mobile banking platforms, providing 5 million customers with the convenience of modern and secure financial services. The customer segments of the Bank include corporates, SMEs, micro-businesses, and individuals.
ABA Bank is a subsidiary of National Bank of Canada, one of the largest banks in Canada, with approximately $334 billion in assets as of 31 January 2025 and a vast network of correspondent banks worldwide.
