Louis Vachon

Chief Executive Officer of National Bank of Canada
Canada

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Louis Vachon is a Canadian banker and financer. He is the Chief Executive Officer of National Bank of Canada, the sixth largest bank in Canada. He announced his intention to retire in October 2021, after nearly 15 years in the role.

Early life

Vachon was born in Quebec, Canada in 1962. His family started a pastry company and his father was the dean of Business School at Sherbrooke University in Quebec.

Education

In 1983, Vachon graduated from Bates College in Lewiston, Maine with a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics. He received a Master’s Degree in International Finance from the Fletcher School of Tufts University and is a chartered financial analyst.

Career

Vachon began his career in 1985 at Citibank, then joined Lévesque Beaubien Geoffrion in 1986. He moved to Bankers Trust in 1990, where he remained for six years. In 1996, Vachon became the President and Chief Executive Officer of Innocap Investment Management, a subsidiary of the National Bank of Canada. In 1997, Vachon became the Vice President of the firm, eventually, becoming the Chief Executive Officer and President of the National Bank Financial. In February 2007, Vachon was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Bank of Canada.

Net Worth

As President, Chief Executive Officer and non-independent Director of the National Bank of Canada, Vachon’s total compensation is $8,393,870. According to Canadian Business, Vachon has an estimated net worth of $84 million and is part of Canada’s Top 100 highest-paid CEOs.

Achievement

Vachon has received numerous awards and honours. In 2001, he was named one of Canada’s Top 40 Under 40. In 2011, he was inducted as an Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel of Les Fusiliers Mont-Royal, Montreal. In 2012, he was named Financial Personality of the Year by Finance et Investissement. In 2014, he was named CEO of the Year by Canadian Business magazine and Financial Personality of the Year by Finance et Investissement. In 2015, he received an honorary doctorate from Bishop’s University. In 2016, he received an honorary doctorate from the University of Ottawa, was awarded the Global Citizens Award from the United Nations Association in Canada and was appointed a member of the Order of Canada. In 2017, Vachon received an honorary doctorate from Ryerson University. In 2018, he was appointed a member of the Ordre de Montréal and was honoured by Right to Play during The Heroes Gala. In 2019, he was appointed Officer of the Ordre National du Québec and received an honorary doctorate from Concordia University.