Activists Blast Biden’s World Bank Pick for Corporate Ties (1)

Progressive groups that have long advocated for a change in the leadership of the World Bank decried the Biden administration’s nomination of a former Wall Street and corporate executive as more of the same at the anti-poverty lender.

Washington’s selection of former Mastercard Inc. Chief Executive Officer Ajay Banga to be the World Bank’s president was being condemned as a forfeited opportunity to tap a candidate with deep public-sector experience combating economic inequality and climate change.

Ajay Banga

Photographer: Jason Alden/Bloomberg

The World Bank needs a leader “who will prioritize the urgency of the climate crisis, not another big business executive,” said Collin Rees, ...