BLOM BANK is a leading Lebanese bank which has repeatedly and unanimously been selected as the Best Bank in Lebanon by the most recognized regional and international institutions. Its successful business operations are based on a universal banking model that includes: Commercial Banking, Corporate Banking, Private Banking, 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 in the region, BLOM BANK has always been at the forefront 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 fundamentals that it has consistently achieved. BLOM BANK is proud to have become over the years its clients’ preferred banking partner and investment reference, meeting all their financial needs and ensuring their “Peace of Mind”. BLOM BANK is also proud to extend this “Peace of Mind” to the larger community, through its de-mining and planting of trees initiative the BLOM MASTERCARD “Giving Card”, its educational initiative “BLOM shabeb”, its safe schools program “ProtectED”, and its recycling program for a greener environment “Green Cycle”. Throughout the years, BLOM BANK has consistently maintained a track record of solid performance and growth that carried over to 2015, despite the unstable political and economic conditions facing Lebanon and the region. BLOM’s operational and managerial efficiency has enabled it to maintain in 2015 the lowest cost–to-income ratio among its peers at 36.43%, and helped generate a rise in its net profit to a record $404.66 mn, the highest in the Lebanese banking system. Net profit was also supported by the rise in profits at the Bank’s foreign units and subsidiaries. As important, it implied the highest return on average common equity among listed banks at 16.04%. In terms of the balance sheet, assets increased to a total of $29.1 bn and customers deposits increased to a total of $25.1 bn. Moreover, total loans reached $7.2 bn, with retail loans increasing to $2.9 bn and constituting the largest share in the Lebanese market. The Bank also attained strong financial indicators, for the ratio of gross non-performing loans stood at 4.4% with a coverage ratio by special provisions of 64.8%, rising to 153% when accounting for real guarantees and collective provisions. In addition, the primary liquidity ratio reached 67% and the capital adequacy ratio according to Basel III 18%. BLOM BANK’s strategy is based on measured regional expansion to markets with strong potential and on the continuous modernization and diversification of its universal services, both placing it at the center of Arab banks in the region. As a result, BLOM BANK has the widest foreign presence among Lebanese Banks, and is currently present in the following 13 countries: Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, UAE, France, UK, Switzerland, Romania, Cyprus, Egypt, Qatar, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia. It conducts its worldwide operations through a network of 257 banking and financial units, either directly or through its subsidiaries, which are: BANK OF SYRIA AND OVERSEAS, BLOM BANK FRANCE, BLOM BANK (SWITZERLAND), BLOM BANK EGYPT, BLOM EGYPT SECURITIES, SYRIA AND OVERSEAS FOR FINANCIAL SERVICES, BLOM BANK QATAR, BLOMINVEST SAUDI ARABIA, BLOMINVEST BANK, BLOM DEVELOPMENT BANK (ISLAMIC BANK), AROPE INSURANCE, SYRIA INTERNATIONAL INSURANCE-AROPE SYRIA, AROPE INSURANCE OF PROPERTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES – EGYPT, AROPE LIFE INSURANCE – EGYPT and BLOM SECURITIES - JORDAN. In this respect, the Bank serves the niche market of Lebanese and Arab expatriates and business people in Europe, and acts as one of the trusted local universal, full-service banks in the Middle Eastern countries in which it is present. In its drive to diversify its revenue base and enrich its asset class, the bank is constantly looking to strengthen its regional expansion in the medium-to long-term, adopting a balanced growth strategy and adhering to its conservative but rewarding business model. And as always, the Bank will be capitalizing on its regional competitive advantages in terms of common culture, economic interactions, business synergies, outstanding relationships, and the development of its excellent products.