Company Profile
Merz Financial AG based in Zurich/Switzerland was founded in January 2012 as a financial service and investment company. The goal of the company is to fund international trade and enhance investment into capital goods and state-of-the-art technology mainly by clients from emerging markets. We provide equity as well as debt financing and develop the most suitable financial structure for the particular transaction. The focus of activities is put on sectors and industries with a positive impact on the environment and special attention to sustainability.
The staff is composed of a team of former senior international bankers with proven track record in emerging market finance and investments.
Chairman and Managing Director
Prior to founding Merz Financial AG, Mr. Merz was Global Head of Export & Structured Trade Finance at Credit Suisse leading a global business line with exposure to emerging markets. He worked for many years as a senior international commercial banker on the lending side at the banks KfW, Bayerische Landesbank and Dresdner Bank and spent seven years at ABB Structured Finance with the task to arrange project finance for ABB’s international projects.
Board Member
Mr. Wight was the Head of the Swiss Export Risk Guarantee (SERV), the official export credit agency (ECA) from Switzerland, for many years promoting Swiss exports to mainly emerging markets. Before that, he had various positions with UBS and Zurcher Kantonalbank in the international commercial banking business for altogether 25 years.
Board Member
Mr. Stratmann held various sales and marketing positions as a member of the leadership team of the world’s largest agricultural machinery manufacturer. With over 30 years of experience in international agribusiness, he has represented industry associations internationally in support of developing sustainable bilateral cooperation in emerging markets.
CEO, Merz Leasing
Mr. Nogaibekov is a well-known commercial bank manager in Kazakhstan and had various top positions as CEO, Deputy CEO and Branch Manager at local banks Tengri Bank, Capital Bank Kazakhstan, Bank Kassa Nova, Fortebank and ATF Bank. He has long-term experience in lending and leasing to corporate clients in Kazakhstan and an excellent insight into the banking industry in the country.