The InterBank Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT+) Forum was formed in 2002. At the outset, it was a network of LGBT+ networks exclusively focused on investment banking. In 2012, InterBank decided to restructure itself beyond investment banking to cover the financial services as well as the professional services industry.
Today, the InterBank LGBT+ Forum committee consists of the following member firms:
| ABN Amro |
| Accenture |
| Barclays |
| Bank of America |
| BBVA |
| Bloomberg |
| BNP Paribas |
| BNY Mellon |
| Citigroup |
| CME Group |
| Credit Suisse |
| Deloitte |
| Deutsche Bank |
| DTCC |
| EBRD |
| Euroclear |
| Evercore |
| FactSet |
| Fitch Group |
| Goldman Sachs |
| HSBC |
| IG |
| ING |
| Jefferies |
| JPMorgan Chase |
| KPMG |
| London Stock Exchange Group |
| Lloyds Banking Group |
| Macquarie |
| Mastercard |
| Moody’s |
| Morgan Stanley |
| Natixis |
| Nomura |
| Northern Trust |
| PwC |
| Rothschild |
| Royal Bank of Canada |
| Santander Bank |
| Société Générale |
| Standard Chartered |
| State Street |
| TD Securities |
| TP ICAP |
| UBS |
The aims and objectives of InterBank are as follows:
- To create an open and inclusive forum for LGBT+ employees from Financial Services and Professional Service Firms in which to meet and discuss issues impacting LGBT+ employees in their day-to-day work environment.
- To enable the sharing of best practices between the LGBT+ employee network groups (ENGs) of Financial Services and Professional Services firms regarding:
- Recruitment of LGBT+ talent,
- Professional and personal development of LGBT+ employees, and
- How LGBT+ networks can support client engagement and business activity, so as to assist Financial & Professional Service Firms to (a) cultivate an environment that is inclusive and supportive of their LGBT+ employees, and (b) positively value and encourage their ENGs’ activities.
- To provide a forum for developing an appropriate collective response to LGBT+ issues that benefits Financial & Professional Service Firms and reflects positively on these industries’ commitment to the LGBT+ community.
- To promote and encourage networking opportunities for LGBT+ employees of Financial Services and Professional Services Firms.
InterBank organises regular networking evenings for its members at locations in the City and Canary Wharf. It also partners with other networks of networks and forums to deliver relevant events and networking opportunities to its members.
InterBank also supports Corporate and Social Responsibility initiatives, allowing its members to support LGBT+ community initiatives across the Greater London area. We sponsor a special film screening at the London Lesbian and Gay Film Festival/BFI Flare annually. InterBank continues to be a sponsor of Positive East’s Red Run which on or around World AIDS Day each year.
Meet our Co-Chairs
Sarah Mahmood (she/her) – LinkedIn
Sarah is an experienced FX Operations Analyst at TD Securities, recognised with the 2023 TD Pinnacle Award for excellence. Previously, she served as Co-Lead of the Communications sub-committee, enhancing the InterBank brand and social media platforms, but now as Co-Chair leading the group’s strategic initiatives. A passionate advocate for diversity, Sarah actively contributes to her firm’s LGBTQ+ Network, fostering an inclusive workplace. Outside of work, she enjoys playing music, travelling and the arts.
Marion Bentata (she/her) – LinkedIn
Marion is Chief Administrative Officer for Global Technology Services at State Street. She is an accomplished senior leader, public speaker and media contributor with over 15 years’ experience in the financial industry across multiple countries.
Marion heads up the Inclusion Committee of InterBank and is the founder of Women of InterBank, the women’s group of InterBank. She also sits on the Steering Committee of the State Street’s UK Pride Network after having co-chaired this network for a number of years.
As a role model, Marion regularly appears on panels with a view to be visible and raise awareness around the specific issues facing LGBTQIA+ women in the workplace and beyond. Marion also dedicates her time to championing LGBTQIA+ women, creating safe spaces and networking opportunities for this community.
In recognition of her work, Marion was named in the top 50 LGBT+ Future Leaders list presented by the Financial Times in 2017. She was nominated in the top 10 LGBT+ Future Leaders category at the British LGBT Awards in 2019 and in the Involve HERoes Women Role Model category three times, in 2020, 2021 and 2024. She was listed in the top 10 Advocate of the Year category at the Women in Finance Awards in 2021 and 2022, and in 2023, she made the LGBT Great top 50 LGBT+ Gamechangers’ list on top of the top 10 Diversity Champion of the Year list at the DIVA Awards.
We are pleased to have these dynamic women as our Co-Chairs and look forward to you meeting them in person at one of our monthly networking events.