David Malpass

David Malpass served as President of the World Bank Group from 2019 – 2023.  

During his tenure, Malpass focused on seeking stronger policies to increase economic growth, alleviate poverty, improve living standards, and reduce government debt burdens. Under his leadership, the Bank Group responded quickly to global crises, mobilising a record $440 billion in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, war in Ukraine, sharp global economic slowdown, unsustainable debt burdens, climate change, and food, fertilizer, and energy shortages. The Bank Group also more than doubled its climate finance to developing countries during Malpass’s presidency, reaching a record $32 billion in FY22. 

Prior to his role at the World Bank, Malpass served as Under Secretary of the Treasury for International Affairs for the United States, representing the US in multiple international forums, including the G-7 and G-20, as well as the World Bank–IMF meetings. 

In 2018, Malpass advocated for the capital increase for the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and International Finance Corporation (IFC). As part of his reform agenda, Malpass advanced the Debt Transparency Initiative, which aimed to improve global financial transparency and reduce the risk of debt crises. Before joining the US Treasury, he was a chief economist at Bear Stearns and founded a macroeconomics research firm in New York City, providing financial analyses of countries worldwide. 

Malpass’s experience also includes serving as Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Developing Nations and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Latin American Economic Affairs. He played a key role in multilateral initiatives like the Enterprise for the Americas Initiative and the creation of the Bank’s environment division. A former board member of various organisations, including the Council of the Americas, the Economic Club of New York, and the National Committee on US – China Relations, Malpass is also the author of numerous articles on economic development. 

Malpass earned his bachelor’s degree from Colorado College and an MBA from the University of Denver. He has undertaken advanced graduate work in international economics at Georgetown University and is proficient in Spanish, Russian, and French.