With over 15 years of global banking experience, Karen Adams has recently made history after being appointed as chief executive officer (CEO) of HSBC Jordan, making her one of the few female CEOs of a bank in the region. Having spent the past 12 years as an international manager, Adams left her mark in a variety of places that include Hong Kong, London, Seoul and Dubai. Naseem Tarawnah took the opportunity to talk to Adams about her role as HSBC’s top executive in the Kingdom, as well as key issues that include regulation in Jordan and its status quo amidst the global financial crisis.