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Established in 1959, the Association of Banks in Lebanon (ABL) is a professional industry association with a key mission to effectively promote the interests and public image of the Lebanese banking sector. ABL contributes additionally to public policies debates and economic and financial legislations. It acts also as a coordinator among banks on common issues regarding standards, procedures, technology, etc.
ABL accomplishes its goals set by the Board through the work of its professional staff, organized under a General Secretariat, which provides support services including data dissemination and human capital training, and the co-operative efforts of banks' representatives in Working Committees.
Please visit www.abl.org.lb
Lead sponsor
Bank Audi sal-Audi Saradar Group is a full fledged regional bank with a presence in 11 countries. Based on a diversified universal model, it operates principally in Lebanon and the Middle East North Africa ("MENA') region and offering a full range of products and services that cover principally commercial and corporate banking, retail and individual banking, on-line brokerage, private banking and investment banking. As of end-March 2012, according to Bankdata, based on unaudited financial statements of banks operating in the Lebanese Republic provided to Bankdata by such banks, the Bank ranked first among Lebanese banks in terms of total assets (US$ 28.7billion), shareholders' equity (US$ 2.5 billion), customers' deposits (US$ 24.4 billion), loans and advances (US$ 8.9 billion) and profit (US$ 94.5 million). Based on rankings of top Arab banking groups operating in the MENA region, Bank Audi is also positioned among top regional banking institutions. In addition to its historic presence in Lebanon, Switzerland and France, the Group is currently present in Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Abu Dhabi (through a representative office), Gibraltar, Monaco and Turkey (incorporated in waiting for the operating permission) amongst others.
As of March 31, 2011, the Bank had on of the largest branch network in Lebanon, with 80 branches covering the Greater Beirut area and other strategic regions in Lebanon, as well as a network of 73 branches in the MENA region (outside Lebanon), including twelve branches in Jordan . The Bank has three principal subsidiaries in Lebanon, three principal subsidiaries in Europe and six principal subsidiaries in the MENA region outside Lebanon. In addition, Bank Audi was granted on October 27, 2011 an establishment license for a deposit bank by the Banking Regulation and supervisory Authority in Turkey. It is currently finalizing the implementation process prior to applying for the operating permission which is expected on or around September 30, 2012.
Founded in 1830, the Bank was incorporated in its present form in 1962 as a private joint stock company with limited liability (société anonyme libanaise) with a duration of 99 years. The Bank is registered on the Beirut Commercial Registry under number 11347 and on the Lebanese List of Banks as number 56. The initial shareholders of the Bank were members of the Audi family, together with Kuwaiti investors. Since 1983, the shareholder base has expanded. The shareholders' base encompasses more than 1,500 holders of common shares and / or holders of Global Depositary Receipts (GDRs), representing common shares. The Bank's GDRs are listed on both the Beirut Stock Exchange and the London Stock Exchange and its Common Shares are listed on the Beirut Stock Exchange.
Since 2005, the Bank has undertaken significant regional expansion and, ranks fourth among the top 15 Arab banking institutions in the MENA region by assets in terms of regional coverage with operations in ten countries, excluding Lebanon, through a network of branches and subsidiaries developed mainly through green-field operations. As a result of this regional expansion, an increasing percentage of the Bank's assets and profits, as well as its total costs, are contributed by its operations outside Lebanon. Management intends to reach a balanced breakdown between Lebanon and abroad over the medium term. Despite the short term uncertainties related to the recent political developments, Management still believe in the important banking and economic growth potential in the Levant and Egypt, ensuring self sustained growth. In addition, the Bank's recent expansion to Turkey and other prospective future opportunities in new and existing high value-added markets with what this entails in terms of promising growth prospects are also expected to speed up achieving management targets.
As of March 31, 2012, the Bank and its consolidated subsidiaries had 4,839 employees, including 2,924 persons employed in Lebanon. The Bank's head office and registered address is Bank Audi Plaza, Omar Daouk Street, Bab Idriss, Beirut 2021 8102, P.O. Box: 11-2560, Beirut, Lebanon.
Please visit www.banqueaudi.com
Lead sponsor
A Leading Bank: Headquartered in Beirut, BankMed is one of the top banks in Lebanon. Its market share- measured by total assets - constitutes almost10% of the Lebanese banking sector. BankMed, through its 55branches within Lebanon, and one in Cyprus, offers a wide range of products and services to individuals and corporations. BankMed's operations extend to Switzerland, where it fully owns a subsidiary private bank, BankMed Suisse; to Turkey through a commercial bank, T-Bank; and to Saudi Arabia with an investment banking arm through the SaudiMed Investment Company. By the end of 2011, BankMed net profit increased by 11.3% to reach $117.5 million compared to $105.6 million for 2010. BankMed's total assets stood at $11.8 billion, while loans and deposits grew by 18% and 8% from end-year 2010 to $4.2 billion and $9.5 billion respectively.
A Dynamic Bank: BankMed's role in financing commercial, industrial, and contracting activities has contributed to the growth of these sectors and the resurgence of the Lebanese economy since 1990 and placed the Bank in the position of market-leader in corporate banking. Believing that an institution should always evolve, BankMed grew further its other business lines. Along with the well-established corporate and retail banking businesses, brokerage and investment banking services have been introduced to meet growing client and investor demand. Our proper strategic decision making was rewarded by the choice of BankMed as the best Investment Bank in Lebanon for three years in a row in 2010, 2011 and 2012 by Global Finance.
A Socially Responsible Bank: Its belief in sustainable development has prompted BankMed to launch its environmental initiative few years ago, the Happy Planet campaign, which attempts to raise awareness about issues pertaining to the environment. The initiative also includes funding of specific environmental programs. BankMed has undertaken various projects in collaboration with government departments and ministries, NGOs and educational organizations, to preserve Lebanon's natural environment. In addition to its environmental activities, the Bank plays an active role in Lebanon's rich cultural heritage by sponsoring annual cultural events. By leading the way in preserving our country's natural and cultural heritage, with its various pioneering activities, the Bank is making a commitment to creating a better, more promising Lebanon for tomorrow's generations.
Please visit www.bankmed.com.lb
Lead sponsor
Incorporated in 1963 in Beirut, Lebanon, Bank of Beirut s.a.l. has grown to become one of Lebanon's leading banks with a total assets exceeding US$ 9.56 billion as at 31-03-2012 and ranking 1st in equity to asset ratio, 5th in return on average assets and return on average common equity, 6th in net profits, 5th in total Shareholders' equity, and 8th in total assets and total deposits as at 31-12-2011
Bank of Beirut's vision led it beyond borders. Having experienced rapid growth over the past, Bank of Beirut was eager about the prospects of expanding further, and set up for expansion mode. The Bank adopted a cross-border expansion strategy that was clearly reflected in its implemented plans. Bank of Beirut who strengthened its domestic coverage by growing a network of 60 branches throughout Lebanon, expanded in parallel regionally and internationally via eight foreign entities including, a branch in Limassol, Cyprus, two branches in the Sultanate of Oman: (Muscat and Sohar), with plans to open a third one early June 2012, in addition to a wholly owned subsidiary in London, United Kingdom (Bank of Beirut (UK) Ltd), with a branch in Frankfurt, Germany, and three Representative Offices located in Dubai - UAE, Lagos - Nigeria and Bagdad – Iraq.
The year of 2011 witnessed Bank of Beirut's greatest achievement in its march towards global expansion, when it acquired a subsidiary in Australia: Beirut Hellenic Bank, with 15 branches spread across Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide.
Moreover, Bank of Beirut operates a wholly owned investment Bank (Bank of Beirut Invest s.a.l.), an insurance brokerage firm (Beirut Brokers Co. s.a.r.l.), an Insurance company (Beirut Life s.a.l.) and a Financial Institution (BoB Finance s.a.l.), considered as one of the largest Money Transfer Companies in Lebanon through its partnership with Western Union International, with over 650 locations all over the country.
Bank of Beirut is comprised of a highly professional team providing services to financial institutions, corporations and private individuals to ensure that their financial needs and objectives are successfully achieved. The Bank has developed a vast network of correspondent banking relationships in an effort to serve the financial institutions in the MENA countries, including major corporate and institutional customers by delivering integrated financial solutions to their requirements. The Bank is considered an undisputed leader in trade finance, through the issuance of letters of credit and letters of guarantee, as well as in asset management and financial engineering through the launch of structured products and investment funds. Bank of Beirut plays a major role in the marketplace making available an extensive selection of retail products to customers.
Please visit www.bankofbeirut.com.lb
Lead sponsor
Banque Libano-Française (BLF) is a leading universal bank in Lebanon with close to USD million 799 in consolidated shareholders' equity and $10.2 billion in total assets as at December 2011.
As a dynamic participant in the Lebanese economy, BLF has actively contributed to the country's reconstruction efforts and to the growth of the private sector. It has arranged several large syndicated transactions for financing Lebanon's main reconstruction projects and has advised and financed its clients in the development of their business in Lebanon and abroad.
Banque Libano-Française's growing international network includes subsidiaries in France and Cyprus (Banque SBA), Switzerland (LF Finance Suisse), and 6 branches in Syria (Bank Al-Sharq), in addition to a Representative Office in the United Arab Emirates. Its 2012 expansion plan includes a Representative Office in Nigeria and a branch in Irak. Domestically, Banque Libano-Francaise has gradually been increasing its branch network, with this now standing at 48 branches across Lebanon.
Please visit www.eblf.com
Lead sponsor
Since its inception in 1956, BBAC (Bank of Beirut and the Arab Countries s.a.l.) has been at the forefront in support of the Lebanese economy through an extensive range of banking and financial services to individuals and corporations that include Corporate and Commercial Banking, Trade Finance, Retail Banking, Private Banking, Treasury and Capital Markets. The Bank also offers, in collaboration with The Capital Insurance & Reinsurance Co. s.a.l., a subsidiary of BBAC, a comprehensive range of Bancassurance products specially designed to satisfy all clients' needs.
BBAC is now among the top ten league banks in Lebanon, with a total capital of 157 billion LBP. BBAC has achieved steady growth rates in key financial indicators in 2011 with total assets rising to 4,316 million USD, total shareholders' equity rising to 320 million USD, and total net profit of 39 million USD.
Today, BBAC operates through its wide spread network of 35 branches in Lebanon and has 47 ATMs scattered across the country providing a variety of banking services. In line with its expansion strategy, the Bank's international network currently comprises 3 branches – one in Limassol, Cyprus and two in Iraq, Erbil and Baghdad, in addition to a representative office in Abu Dhabi, UAE.
Living up to its slogan of being "Your Caring Bank", BBAC's care goes beyond the banking business to touch the needs of the local community and assist it in the development of all its aspects based on the Bank's belief in corporate social responsibility and in the importance of adopting it as an integral part of its culture. In this regard, BBAC assumes its social responsibility through its continuous support of youth development and related educational activities as well as through its contribution in encouraging environmental, cultural, humanitarian, sports and tourism initiatives.
Please visit www.bbacbank.com
Lead sponsor
Constantly developing and improving its services, BLOM BANK Group provides universal banking services that meet all of its clients' needs. These services include: Commercial Banking, Corporate Banking, Private and Investment Banking, Asset Management, Retail Banking, Islamic Banking, Brokerage Services and Insurance Products and Services.
As one of the oldest established banks in Lebanon, if not the region, BLOM BANK has always been at the center of the country's banking system. Its universal banking services revolve around trust and credibility, built with its clients through long-term personal relationships, integrity, and the strong financial results that it has consistently delivered. BLOM BANK has been the most profitable and among the largest banks in Lebanon. It became its clients' preferred banking partner and investment reference, ensuring their "Peace of Mind" and extending it to the larger community, through its CSR activities like BLOM Beirut Marathon, the BLOM MASTERCARD "Giving Card", and its educational initiative "BLOM SHABEB".
BLOM BANK's strategy is based on regional expansion to markets with strong fundamentals and on the diversification of its universal services. In this respect, BLOM BANK has the widest foreign presence among Lebanese Banks, and is currently present in 12 countries: Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, UAE, France, UK, Switzerland, Romania, Cyprus, Egypt, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia. It conducts its worldwide operations through a network of more than 186 banking and financial units, either directly or through its subsidiaries. And in its drive to diversify its revenue base and enrich its asset class, the bank is prioritizing its regional expansion and adopting an organic growth policy. To this end, the bank is capitalizing on its regional competitive edge in terms of common culture, existing relationships, and the replicability of its excellent products to strengthen its foothold in the region and beyond.
BLOM BANK, the most awarded bank in Lebanon has been selected as "Best Bank in Lebanon for 2011" from The Banker, "Best Trade Finance Bank in Lebanon in 2011" from GTR, "Best Trade Finance Bank in Lebanon for 2012" and "The Best Foreign Exchange Provider in Lebanon for 2012" from Global Finance.
Please visit www.blombank.com
Lead sponsor
Incepted in 1960, Byblos Bank is one of Lebanon's top three banks. The Bank provides full-fledged consumer banking, commercial banking, capital markets, and correspondent banking services to an ever growing clientele, both locally and internationally. Byblos Bank maintains a substantial presence in Lebanon through one of the largest and best-spread branch networks. The Bank also actively operates in 11 countries in the Middle East, Europe, and Africa: the United Kingdom, France, Belgium, Armenia, Cyprus, the United Arab Emirates, Syria, Iraq, Sudan, Nigeria, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In all these countries, the Bank is committed to adhering to international standards of corporate governance, customer satisfaction, and quality service, and to drive business growth while supporting social and economic development.
Byblos Bank is listed on both the Beirut Stock Exchange and the London Stock Exchange. It has the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, and PROPARCO, a development financial institution partly held by the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) among its shareholders.
Please visit www.byblosbank.com
Lead sponsor
Since its establishment in 1961, Credit Libanais (CL) distinguished itself with the long experience and know-how it acquired over the years. Credit Libanais has grown to become a leading universal with total assets exceeding USD 7billion. CL proved its leadership position in the Lebanese banking industry through numerous pioneering steps, such as the acquisition of other banks, and the introduction of electronic banking activities to the country. CL is also distinctive by the issuance of the first Eurobonds listed on international stock exchanges in 1996.
To efficiently serve our customers, we put at their disposal a wide range of products and services through our online banking platform and our 66 branches covering all the national territory - one of the largest networks in Lebanon. In addition, our network encompasses branches in Cyprus and Bahrain, as well as a representative office in Montreal, Canada and a subsidiary in Senegal, which paves the way for expansion in all eight states of the economic zone of West Africa.
As a vigorous player in the economy, we offer our customers, alongside key classical corporate banking activities, a complete portfolio of fast and secure e-banking solutions including: e-commerce, points of sale, smart cards, ATM switch solutions, e-wallets services and online banking. Moreover, we provide fast and courteous services in Wealth Management and Private Banking, Trade Finance, Corporate Finance and Investment Banking, Government Subsidized Finance, Leasing, Consumer Loans, Bancassurance, Real Estate services and Micro-Finance, as well as funding for (SMEs).
CL Group is run by top-notch management and employees at all levels who have succeeded in growing the bank over the years into a very prudently run and profitable banking group in Lebanon and the region. The management team materializes the mission, vision and business strategies of the Bank, consistently with its core driving values and business principles and ethics.
Please visit www.creditlibanais.com.lb
Lead sponsor
A leading financial and universal banking player, Fransabank Group offers sophisticated and tailored retail, commercial, corporate, investment and international banking products that meet the evolving needs of the societies it serves, through its 142 branches in 8 countries across the world, namely in Lebanon, France, Algeria, Syria, Belarus, Cyprus, Sudan, and Libya (and shortly in Iraq).
Established since 1921 and listed first amongst banks in Lebanon, Fransabank Group enjoys today the ranking of a top four leading Lebanese financial group with more than USD 14.44 billion in Total Assets, with USD 11.74 billion in Customer Deposits and USD 1.30 in Shareholders' Equity as at December 31, 2011. Continuously developing and enhancing its offerings, Fransabank commits to implementing international standards of corporate governance, sound financial management norms and standards and diligent compliance practices.
Celebrating this year 90 years of financial legacy in its mother land, Lebanon where it has the largest branch network with 108 branches spread all over the Lebanese territory, this is in addition to a total of eleven Banking and Non-Banking Subsidiaries and Associates in the same market, Fransabank Group succeeded in positioning itself as a forward-looking, trustworthy, dynamic, innovative, creative, and socially responsible leading financial group.
With its clear vision and leadership, the perseverance of its dedicated, loyal and dynamic human capital and the synergy of its human, financial, and technological capitals within the Group's entities, the internationally-awarded Fransabank Group sets the pace for a yet another era in its promising growth history and carries the torch of "Excellence in Customer Service". With Fransabank's corporate slogan "Tomorrow Starts Now", tomorrow's accomplishments are the results of today's well-prepared plans and actions.
Please visit www.fransabank.com
Lead sponsor
IBL Bank traces its roots back to 1961, offering for more than 50 years comprehensive banking services to its clients.
The Board of Directors pursues a policy towards raising the Bank into the top national banks. As such, the bank achieved significant growth and was ranked eleventh in terms of total assets as at December 2011.
The Bank translated its strong expansion in total assets into enhanced financial profits. These results are driven by the continuing augmentation of the Bank's net interests and net commissions, as well as by the solid increase of the bank's customers base and deposits.
Furthermore, the Board of Directors having a policy of continuously improving the capital levels of the Bank increased progressively the Equity of the Bank, leading to a Capital Adequacy Ratio as per Basel II of 13.8% as at December 2011.
The strong growth the Bank has achieved has been accompanied and fostered by continuous investments in Human Capital.
In addition, during 2008, the Board of Directors decided to change the Bank's name and logo from Intercontinental Bank of Lebanon to IBL Bank, in order to boost the Bank's positioning and Brand awareness.
The Bank has a wide network spread all over Lebanon, and 3 Branches abroad: the first in Europe (Cyprus -Limassol), and 2 Branches in Iraq (Erbil and Baghdad).
During the first quarter of 2011, the Bank added a new entity to the Group: IBL Investment Bank. IBL Invest mission is to complete the current offer to the Group's clientele and to target new regional and Gulf Markets. The main business lines are advisory, corporate finance and wealth management.
Currently, the Bank, strong amid its track record of solid growth, rigorous risk management and adequate Capital levels, is in the process of developing its local and regional network.
The Bank's Head-Office and main branch are located in Achrafieh, Beirut – Lebanon.
Please visit www.ibl.com.lb
Lead sponsor
With a strategy focused on universal banking, and thanks to the support of its various subsidiaries, SGBL Group offers a complete and personalized range of banking services, covering universal as well as specialized financial services destined for all client categories: corporate clients, small and medium sized enterprises, individuals and professionals.
SGBL is part of the international network of Societe Generale, one of the largest European financial services groups, which operates in 85 countries worldwide.
SGBL Group operates through three core business lines:
- Retail Banking
-Corporate Banking
- Private Banking
In Lebanon, SGBL covers the whole Lebanese territory and ensures proximity banking services through its network of 68 branches.
At the regional level, the Group is present in:
- JORDAN : Societe Generale de Banque - Jordanie (SGBJ)
- CYPRUS : Societe Generale Bank – Cyprus (SGBCy)
SGBL Group offers specialized financial services through its subsidiaries:
- SOGECAP LIBAN, life insurance company that offers a complete range of life insurance products based on contingency and capitalization.
SOGELEASE LIBAN, pioneer and leader in the leasing market in Lebanon
- FIDUS, leading brokerage firm that offers portfolio management services and brokerage and advisory services on local and international financial markets
- CTM, specialized in credit card management.
Please visit www.sgbl.com
