Fransabank Group at a Glance

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 144 branches in 9 countries across the world, namely in Lebanon, France, Algeria, Syria, Belarus, Cyprus, Sudan, Libya, and UAE (Abu Dhabi) and shortly in Iraq.

On December 15, 2011, Fransabank Group celebrated its 90 years anniversary. Established since 1921 in Lebanon and listed first amongst registered banks, Fransabank Group enjoys today the ranking of a top four leading Lebanese financial group. Celebrating more than 90 years of financial legacy in its mother land, Lebanon, Fransabank Group also has the largest local branch network with 111 branches spread all over the Lebanese territory; this is in addition to a total of thirteen 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 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.

Fransabank Group’s main business indicators have registered yet another record performance in 2011, in spite of the overall slowdown in the economy, exceeding the average growth indicators of the Lebanese banking sector and those of our peer banks’ groups.  Fransabank’s net profits reached USD 155.32 million, an increase of 6.57% as compared to 2010. Total assets reached USD 14.44 billion, an increase of 17.97% as compared to end of 2010; customers’ deposits reached USD 11.74 billion, an increase of 16.45% as compared to the same period of 2010 and net loans and advances to customers reached USD 4.43 billion, and of course, this has earned Fransabank Group one of the highest growth rates in net loans and advances to customers for 40.88% in 2011.

Fransabank Group’s increase in financial indicators, for 2011 over 2010, was markedly higher than that of the Alpha Group of Banks, as follows:  For net profits (Alpha Group 1.16% – Fransabank 6.57%), total assets (Alpha Group 12.01% – Fransabank 17.97%), customers’ deposits (Alpha Group 12.17% – Fransabank 16.45%), and  loans and advances to customers (Alpha Group 18.59% – Fransabank 40.88%).

*Alpha Group of Banks in Lebanon comprised 12 banks as at 31.12.2011, each with customers’ deposits equal or greater than USD 2 billion.

Fransabank Group’s achievement over the years reflected its leading role in the development of the economies where it operates. Fransabank initiatives, know-how and expertise in multiple financial fields were recognized and awarded.

In 2012, Fransabank Group was selected for five prestigious international awards by pre-eminent international magazines, the Banker, part of the Financial Times Group, the World Finance and Global Banking & Finance Review.

The Banker granted Fransabank SAL (Parent company) one award and Fransa Invest Bank SAL (the investment arm) two awards. These awards are: the “Deal of the Year 2012 Awards for the Middle East” and for the Highly Commended Banker Award for “Deal of the Year 2012 – Bonds: Sovereigns, Supras and Agencies – Middle East”.

The World Finance magazine awarded Fransa Invest Bank “The Best Investment Bank, Lebanon – 2012 Award”. This award comes in recognition of Fransa Invest Bank’s vision and commitment towards providing outstanding banking services to its clients, and adopting international best practices in the delivery of reliable and trustworthy investment banking services.

The Global Banking & Finance Review online magazine awarded Fransabank Group – the best banking Group in Lebanon 2012.

At the retail business level, Fransabank won the “Best Contactless Innovation Award” for its innovative MasterCard PayPass Card, during the “Smart Card Awards Middle East 2012” that was organized by Terrapin in the UAE.
For its proximity to customer’s strategy, Fransabank won the “Widest national Outreach Award 2010” from the Lebanon Opportunities Magazine within the Lebanese National Achievement Awards for Banking. It was also selected by the same publication for the “Best New Retail Product Award” for its revolutionary Energy Loans launched in 2010.

At Fransabank Group, we believe that Corporate Social Responsibility is about making a contribution to sustainable development and society through creating long-term value for our shareholders, customers, employees and other stakeholders. This means putting our Corporate Principles into practice and considering not only the economic, but also the social and environmental impacts in all our decisions. We have founded our social responsibility strategy and activities on three main principles:

•    to promote effective public-private partnerships
•    to promote economic development
•    to enhance civil society’s aspirations

Our corporate responsibility strategy is shaped by the increasing need to ensure effective stakeholder relations, to fulfill the socioeconomic needs of the communities in which we conduct our business and the wider social, economic and environmental requirements whenever we exist and operate. This translates into a diverse range of social and corporate activities that advocates Fransabank’s image as a credible, solid, innovative and sustainable contributor to the overall economy.

To date Fransabank Group has successfully demonstrated a leading role in supporting various sectors and promoting the best standards in social responsibility. Although this has already earned the Group an exemplary place at the heart of the country’s corporate landscape, our corporate responsibility activities continue to drive our momentum and deliver the inspiration to pursue so much more in the years to come.

For Further Information, kindly contact:
Marketing Research Department
Tel: 01-340180/8
Fax: 01-344251
Email:  marketing@fransabank.com
www.fransabank.com