ABOUT BACEE
BACEE's main goal is to promote the business relations of its member banks with their European and global peers
From left to right: István Lengyel, Thomas Lehmpuhl, Hajnalka Haszon, Dr Sándor Patyi
Welcome speech of Éva Hegedüs, Chair and CEO of Granit Bank, Deputy Chairperson of BACEE
Dr Sándor Patyi (left) and Thomas Lehmpuhl (right) during the leadership handover
After three decades of dedicated service, Mr Istvan Lengyel will hand over the role of Secretary General of BACEE. Having been part of the Association since its founding in 1996, Mr Lengyel has played an instrumental role in developing BACEE into a well-established and respected international banking association in the Central and Eastern European region.
At its meeting held on 15 May 2026 in Budapest, the Board unanimously appointed Ms Hajnalka Haszon, who has been already part of the BACEE team, as the new Secretary General of BACEE.
BACEE extends its deepest gratitude to Mr Lengyel for his longstanding commitment, leadership, and invaluable contribution to the Association and its members over the past 30 years, and warmly wishes Ms Haszon every success in this new role.
We are pleased to share a new milestone in the Banking Association for Central and Eastern Europe’s (BACEE) growth, announced by Thomas Lehmpuhl, Chairman at the Association’s 50th Jubilee Conference on 20-21 October 2025 in Vienna!
Gránit Bank has joined BACEE as full member, with Éva Hegedüs, Chair and CEO of Gránit Bank, being appointed as Deputy Chairperson of the Association.
Please join us in welcoming Gránit Bank as new member of BACEE, which now brings together 27 financial institutions from 15 countries to promote regional cooperation and innovation within the banking sector. We look forward to our future collaboration!
At its meeting held on 5 September 2025 in Budapest, the Board has unanimously elected Mr Thomas Lehmpuhl as Chairman of BACEE and Dr Sándor Patyi as Honorary Chairman of our Association. Dr Patyi has served as Chairman since the association’s founding in 1996 and will remain a Member of the Board, continuing to support BACEE’s activities.
Mr Lehmpuhl, the new Chairman, currently serves as Managing Director & Head of Cash Management & Trade Finance (including Correspondent Banking) at Landesbank Baden-Württemberg (LBBW). You may learn more about Mr Lehmpuhl here.
BACEE's main goal is to promote the business relations of its member banks with their European and global peers
