Ömer Aras was born in Istanbul in 1954. He completed his primary and secondary education at Şişli Terakki High School. In 1975, he graduated from the Academy of Economic and Commercial Sciences, where he studied Economics and Finance. He obtained his MBA (1978) and Ph.D. (1981) in Business Administration from Syracuse University. He served as a faculty member in the Business School at the Ohio State University for three years. Between 1984-1987, he worked as a Credit Marketing Manager at Citibank Istanbul. At the beginning of 1987, he moved to Yapı Kredi Bank as the Head of the Capital Markets division. In October 1987 he worked as one of the founding members of Finansbank. He served as Deputy General Manager for two years and as General Manager for six years. From 1995 to 2005, he carried out the role of Vice Chairman of the Executive Board of Fiba Holding. He also served on the boards of Fiba Holding's international banks (Switzerland, Netherlands, Russia, Romania, and France) and retail companies (Marks&Spencer, Gima). Following the acquisition of Finansbank by NBG (National Bank of Greece) in 2006, he left Fiba Holding and became Vice Chairman of the Board and Group CEO of Finansbank. In 2008, he was appointed as a member of NBG’s Executive Board responsible for international operations covering Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Albania, Macedonia. Aras was appointed as the Chairman of the Board of Finansbank in 2010 and continued in this position after QNB (Qatar National Bank) acquired the bank in 2016. Aras has also been serving as the Chairman of the Board of QNB Insurance since 2012.
Ömer Aras served on the Board of Directors of TÜSİAD (Turkish Industry & Business Association) between 2003-2007, as the Vice Chairman of the High Advisory Council from 2015 to 2024, and was elected as the Chairman of the TÜSİAD High Advisory Council in February 2024. In addition, Aras is a member of the Board of Trustees of Bogazici University Foundation, Econfin Advisory Board of Bogazici University, Advisory Board of the Faculty of Law at Galatasaray University, Advisory Board Darussafaka Society, IIF (Institute of International Finance), EMAC (Emerging Markets Advisory Council), GBA (Galata Business Angels) angel investor network, and acts as a mentor for YKKD (Women on Boards Association).
Ömer Aras has written a book titled "Deneyimler" ( Insights) detailing his professional and personal life experiences.
Ömer Aras is married, has two children, and is a grandfather to four.
