David Malpass

David Malpass

David Malpass: Architect of Global Economic Strategy and 13th President of the World Bank Group

Core Intelligence Domain: Global Economics & Finance
Location: Washington D.C., USA | Languages: English
Representation: Represented globally by PSpeakers Global Intelligence

David Malpass is a globally recognised economist, policymaker, and former President of the World Bank Group, whose distinguished career spans over four decades at the nexus of international finance, government policy, and global development. Renowned for his proprietary insights into macroeconomic trends, monetary policy, and sovereign debt dynamics, he provides corporate boards, financial institutions, and global leaders with unparalleled strategic foresight into the shifting realities of global markets and geopolitical risks.

Unprecedented Leadership in Times of Crisis

Serving as the 13th President of the World Bank Group from 2019 to 2023, David Malpass guided the institution through a period of historically unprecedented overlapping global crises. Under his leadership, the World Bank mobilised record-breaking financial responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and the subsequent global inflation and supply chain disruptions. He was instrumental in scaling up climate finance, launching urgent initiatives to ensure global food security, and driving international frameworks for sovereign debt reduction in developing economies.

Prior to his presidency, Malpass served as the Under Secretary of the Treasury for International Affairs for the United States. In this pivotal role, he represented the US at the G7 and G20, shaped international macroeconomic policy, and successfully negotiated the 2018 capital increase for the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), pushing for critical reforms promoting broader global economic growth.

A Legacy of Economic Excellence

Before his recent public sector tenure, Malpass had already established a formidable reputation on Wall Street and in Washington. He served as Chief Economist at Bear Stearns for 15 years, where his team consistently ranked among the top tier for macroeconomic forecasting and analysis. In 2008, he founded Encima Global, an economic research and consulting firm delivering high-level political and economic intelligence to institutional investors.

His earlier government experience includes high-level roles as Deputy Assistant Treasury Secretary under President Ronald Reagan and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State under President George H.W. Bush. Currently, Malpass continues to shape economic discourse as a Distinguished Fellow in International Finance at Purdue University, focusing on the intersection of international markets, national security, and sustainable economic growth.

Professional Achievements

• Served as the 13th President of the World Bank Group (2019–2023), directing the largest crisis-response financing in the institution’s history.
• Spearheaded landmark global initiatives on sovereign debt transparency and debt relief for the world’s most vulnerable economies.
• Served as US Under Secretary of the Treasury for International Affairs (2017–2019), shaping US policy at the G7, G20, and the IMF.
• Ranked as a premier Wall Street economist during his tenure as Chief Economist at Bear Stearns (1993–2008).
• Founded and led Encima Global, providing elite macroeconomic forecasting to global institutional investors.
• Appointed as Distinguished Fellow of International Finance at Purdue University, fostering the next generation of global economic leadership.
• Frequent contributor to top-tier financial media, including the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, and international economic summits.

Primary Speaking Themes

• Navigating the Global Economic Outlook: Proprietary analysis on inflation, interest rate trajectories, and structural shifts in the global economy.
• Geopolitics and Sovereign Debt: Managing financial risks and capitalising on opportunities within emerging markets amidst geopolitical fragmentation.
• The Future of Multilateralism: Strategic insights into the necessary reforms for international financial institutions and global governance frameworks.
• Energy Transition and Climate Finance: Balancing the urgent need for sustainable development and carbon reduction with realistic economic growth and energy security.
• Macroeconomic Policy and Competitiveness: How international tax, trade, and regulatory environments dictate global market resilience and corporate success.

Key Takeaways

David Malpass provides audiences with high-level, actionable intelligence derived from the highest echelons of global finance and public policymaking. His presentations demystify complex macroeconomic forces, equipping C-suite executives, investors, and policymakers with the strategic frameworks necessary to navigate systemic risks, anticipate market shifts, and drive sustainable economic growth in an increasingly volatile and interconnected world.