From advisory to advocacy: Habiba Kobci joins ABBL

Tax rules affecting banks and financial institutions are becoming increasingly complex, shaped by domestic legislation as well as a growing number of EU and international initiatives.

Having joined the ABBL in October 2026, Habiba Kobci brings more than ten years of experience in taxation in Luxembourg, with particular expertise in transfer pricing and international tax matters. In her new role as Tax Adviser, she will work closely with ABBL members to anticipate regulatory developments, assess their practical implications and contribute to the sector’s dialogue with policymakers and authorities.

We asked her three questions about her background, her priorities and what she hopes to bring to her new role.

1. Could you tell us a little about your professional background and what led you to join the ABBL?

I have worked in tax for more than ten years in Luxembourg, within leading advisory firms, most recently as a Tax Director specialising in Transfer Pricing.

Transfer pricing has been at the core of my work and has kept me closely involved in broader international tax matters, as it sits at the crossroads of many cross-border issues. Over the years, I have seen how quickly the international tax environment has evolved.

After many years on the advisory side, I wanted to look at tax and contribute from a different perspective: less through individual client files and more through how rules are shaped and applied across an entire sector.

The ABBL sits precisely at that intersection between the banking industry, the authorities and the legislative process, and that is what attracted me to the role.

2. What will be your main areas of focus as Tax Adviser, and how do you see your role in supporting ABBL members?

My focus will be on the tax issues that matter most to banks and financial institutions in Luxembourg, whether they arise from domestic legislation or from the many EU and international initiatives affecting the sector, including the growing number of transparency and reporting obligations.

I see my role as helping members stay ahead of these developments, understand what they mean in practice and ensure that their views are heard.

That means following new proposals closely, working with members through the ABBL’s committees and working groups, and contributing to clear, well-argued positions in our discussions with the authorities.

3. What are you most looking forward to in your new role at the ABBL?

Working with the members. The ABBL brings together people with deep expertise, and I am looking forward to learning from them and building those relationships.

I am also looking forward to being involved earlier in the process, when rules are still being discussed and there is genuine scope to contribute, rather than only dealing with them once they are already in place.