Athanasios Vamvakidis

Athanasios Vamvakidis is a Visiting Professor at Northumbria University and currently serves as Managing Director and Global Head of Foreign Exchange Strategy at Bank of America Merrill Lynch. He has held this role since 2010 and is consistently ranked among the top FX strategists globally. Previously, he spent 13 years at the International Monetary Fund (IMF), where he contributed to critical initiatives such as the IMF-FSB Early Warning Exercise and held senior roles across European, Asian, and Pacific departments.

He holds a Ph.D. in Economics from Harvard University, along with an M.A. and B.A. in Economics from Harvard and the University of Macedonia, respectively. His research focuses on international economics, macroeconomics, and financial strategy, with over 15 publications in leading academic journals. Notable works include analyses of currency mismatch in emerging markets, China’s economic spillovers, and South Africa’s regional growth implications.

His awards include top rankings in the Institutional Investor Survey for FX strategy in Europe and the U.S. His work is frequently cited in major media outlets like the Wall Street Journal and Financial Times, and he is a regular commentator on global economic issues for networks such as CNN, BBC, and Bloomberg.

• Education:
  • Ph.D. in Economics, Harvard University
  • M.A. in Economics, Harvard University
  • B.A. (Hons) Economics, University of Macedonia

His research interests span international financial markets, macroeconomic policy, and emerging economies. He has advised on policy frameworks for institutions such as the IMF and has contributed to understanding systemic risks and growth dynamics in transitional and emerging economies.