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Marko Ahola, a former risk management and compliance executive across multiple financial institutions, joins Alisa Bank Plc as chief risk and compliance officer on April 1, 2026, amid a broad executive renewal.
Ahola will also serve as a member of the management team, reporting to the CEO. His appointment remains subject to approval by the Finnish Financial Supervisory Authority, the digital bank announced today.
The appointment comes amid broader leadership changes at the bank, following the departure of CEO Sampsa Laine in February 2026. CFO and Deputy CEO Kukka Lehtimäki has taken on the role of interim CEO, with Acting CEO Aki Gynther set to assume interim CEO duties during Lehtimäki’s parental leave, subject to regulatory approval.
Ahola brings extensive experience from expert, management, and consulting roles in risk management and regulatory compliance, with deep knowledge of banking risk frameworks and regulatory requirements.
He succeeds Essi Salmela, who will step down from her role as chief risk officer, remaining with the company through April 30, 2026, to support the transition and serving on the management team until March 31, 2026.
“I would like to warmly thank Essi for her valuable contribution. Her work has been crucial in several stages of the bank’s development. She has played a key role in building and developing the bank’s risk management, laying the foundation for stable and compliant operations,” said Acting CEO Aki Gynther.
Alisa Bank Plc is a Finland-based financial technology company providing digital banking services to SMEs, deposit customers, and partners.
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