Warren Jestin

Warren Jestin held the position of Senior Vice President and Chief Economist at Scotiabank for 25 years, concluding a career that spanned nearly four decades with the institution. He joined Scotiabank in 1978 after beginning his career as a professor and working for the Bank of Canada. During his tenure, Jestin was responsible for supplying Scotiabank’s senior executives, partners, and customers with economic perspectives, insights, and financial forecasts. His leadership of the Scotiabank Economics team made him a key figure in the bank’s operations globally.

One of Jestin’s significant achievements includes his role as a member of the leadership team that successfully advocated for Scotiabank’s position during the Canadian bank merger debate in the late 1990s. At that time, Scotiabank was the only one of Canada’s five largest banks not to plan a merger, a stance that ultimately proved significant when the federal government rejected the proposed corporate marriages. His vast knowledge, views, and predictions were considered critical to the bank and its clientele. He was known for managing a team of economists who delivered research and support to Scotiabank’s domestic and international business lines and diversified clients, ranging from retail to capital markets.

Jestin retired from Scotiabank on March 1, 2016, following a distinguished career. He remains active in the economic and financial community, serving on several advisory boards post-retirement. Throughout his career, he was a frequent public speaker and media commentator on economic issues, sharing his insights with broader audiences. His contributions solidified his reputation as an influential voice in the Canadian financial sector.