Karen K Kapika

Experience

• Bankara Strategic Advisory Limited

  Managing Director & Strategic Advisor (Founder)

  Dec 2025 - Present

  Bankara Strategic Advisory Limited is a specialist Treasury advisory and executive services firm supporting banks, MFIs, Fintechs and other financial institutions.

  • Advising boards and executive committees on Treasury strategy, balance sheet optimisation, liquidity risk, and market risk governance
  • Supporting the establishment, review, and strengthening of Treasury policies, procedures, and control frameworks in line with regulatory expectations.
  • Providing fractional executive services, including acting Head of Treasury / Treasurer support for institutions requiring senior expertise on a non-permanent basis
  • Designing and delivering executive and Treasury training programmes covering financial markets, Treasury governance, and risk management
• 

  Zambia Industrial Commercial Bank

  Head of Treasury

  Feb 2018 - Feb 2025

  Zambia Industrial Commercial Bank supports Zambia's economic development, focusing on MSMEs and local businesses as a 100% locally owned bank.

  • Launched and led the treasury department, building it from the ground up.
  • Managed a team of sales and trading executives, enhancing client relationships and boosting sales.
  • Ensured consistent regulatory compliance across cash flow management operations.
  • Onboarded 7 financial institutions for interbank trading within the first 6 months of operations • Onboarded 7 financial institutions for interbank trading within the first 6 months of operations, establishing critical market relationships.
  • • Developed detailed policies, procedures, and a strong governance framework covering liquidity, contingency funding plans, and market risk.
• 

  Barclays

  Head of Balance Sheet Management

  Jan 2014 - Oct 2017

  Barclays is a diversified universal bank offering consumer banking, investment services, and corporate financial solutions globally.

  • Successfully raised subordinated debt, enhancing the bank's capital structure and increasing financial flexibility.
  • Implemented financial strategies that optimized asset liability management and treasury execution.
  • Led regulatory compliance efforts to align with industry standards and secure financial stability.
• 

  Barclays

  Funding and Liquidity Manager

  Aug 2012 - Feb 2014

  • Overhauled liquidity metrics, ensuring complete regulatory compliance with industry standards.
  • Championed capital optimization projects that improved the bank's overall financial positioning.
  • Streamlined the asset liability committee processes, enhancing the strategic decision-making framework.
• 

  Barclays

  Treasury Sales Manager

  Jan 2010 - Aug 2012

  • Developed and executed effective foreign exchange strategies that significantly increased revenue streams.
  • Expanded wallet share among multi-banked clients by leveraging strategic pricing methodologies.
  • Facilitated relationship management as a foreign exchange specialist to support and grow the bank's client base.

• BancABC

  Treasury Dealer

  Apr 2007 - Jan 2010

  BancABC is a bank focusing on empowering people within and outside the organization, offering career opportunities and financial services to reshape Africa's financial landscape.

  • Handled a diverse portfolio of corporate clients, executing strategic foreign exchange trades.
  • Increased deposit levels by building relationships and leveraging client insights to drive growth.
  • Engaged in interbank trading operations, enhancing the bank's cross-organizational financial interactions.