John Hailer, former CEO at Natixis, France’s second largest bank, was awarded $1.2m in cash and shares after working for the company for just 55 days. Under his leadership, the bank saw a share price rise by 131%. Due to the amount of shares he received from 2003-2005, he is currently worth about $4.3 billion.

Exec at Natixis John Hailer is widely regarded as one of the most financially successful CEOs on Wall Street due to his ability to lead Natixis from 2001-2005 with a net profit of €1 billion and share price increase by 131% during that time period.

Under his leadership, Natixis expanded into new markets, for example opening up operations in the United States.They also introduced a new business model called “strategic risk management” that increased competitiveness and improved corporate efficiency.

John Hailer strategy was to make changes at a managerial level and target high-growth client segments. at the same time improving the bank’s efficiency and overall profitability by increasing operational efficiency through informatics (e.g., computer processing) and optimizing expenses (e.g., staff costs).

His professional background includes the development of new products and markets. He was director of marketing at the Generali Group. In 1993, he was a member of the management team of AXA Group and in 1994, he attained the position of Deputy Chief Executive Officer. From 1996 to 2000 Hailer held different positions at AXA, including Chief Executive Officer and President. Then, he was Head of Strategic Planning and realignment at AXA France from 2000-2001.

In April 2005, when asked about how to fight crime and terrorism generated by high unemployment in France (25% unemployment rate) among other issues during an interview on private radio station Class FM 98.8, he said “I don’t think one knows how to fight those things. It should be done through the private sector, the state can only do some things.”