Starting 84 years ago from my village in Crete, I was destined to lead my life in a world of trouble and opportunity. As a young boy, I grew up in a beautiful environment, which was ended with a brutal war and the occupation of my country by the Germans. When peace returned to the world, I was faced with many positive challenges and unexpected events. My education, and subsequently my profession as a banker and economist, gave me the opportunity to meet many outstanding people and to contribute something to the profession that I had chosen. Many of my friends have encouraged me to write the history of my life. Since I thought it would have been presumptuous on my part to write about myself, I have asked David Lascelles, a man with high integrity and knowledge, to write this book. I gave him a lot of material and have allowed him to see my files and everything else that has been written about me throughout the years. I have also asked him to consult with everyone he felt appropriate so that the story of my life could be told as objectively as possible. I must acknowledge my gratitude to the many people who worked with me through this period, especially to Dwight Allen, Richard Butler, Michael Hamilton, Andrew Hilton, Gene Northrop, John Riddell, John Waage, and many others. (Minos Zombanakis, Kalives, Crete November 2011)

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