As Executive Vice-President & Group Head, Global Transaction Banking (GTB), Alberta Cefis is leading the evolution of trade finance, correspondent banking, cash management, payments, e-commerce and e-banking at Scotiabank, in order to provide global business solutions to customers in the corporate, commercial and retail segments.

Alberta assumed her current position in May 2006. Prior to this, she was Executive Vice-President, Domestic Personal Lending & Insurance, and President & CEO, Scotia Mortgage Corporation, with responsibility for consumer, small business and commercial automotive lending, and domestic insurance services.

Alberta joined Scotiabank in 1999. She has extensive experience in retail banking, wealth management, business banking, risk management, operations and service delivery, marketing, strategic planning and organizational development. For the past four consecutive years (2003-2006), Alberta has been named to the Top 100 List of Canada's Most Powerful Women (by the Women's Executive Network). She was named 2006 recipient of the President's Award from the Italian Chamber of Commerce of Toronto, which honours individuals for business excellence. She was profiled in the 2006 book entitled Celebration - 32 Inspiring Women of Italian Origin. Alberta has co-authored a book, with Scotiabank colleague Roberta Hague, entitled The Truth About Mortgages - How To Make The Most Of Your Borrowing Power. The book, now in its second printing, is aimed at empowering customers in their decision making, and all proceeds are gifted to Habitat for Humanity.

Alberta is multilingual, and graduated from McGill University with both a Bachelor of Arts, Joint Honours degree in Political Science & Literature, and a Master in Business Administration. She is involved in a number of boards, industry associations and community endeavours. Currently, she is: a Director with both the Visa International Board and the Visa Canada Association Board; and Chair of the Board of Directors of Opera Atelier, a world-class baroque opera company in Toronto. Alberta has also served as a member of the National Advisory Committee for the United Nations' 2006 World Urban Forum; as Director of the Scotia Mortgage Corporation Board (from 1999-2006); and as Chair of the Chip Executive Council (from 2000-2006).