and in Sudan and Libya in 1970. during the seventies, the played Throughout this period a total of 25 a growing role in large scale project branches were lost. finance, both directly and through Undaunted, the Bank continued participation in syndicated loans. In its expansion, concentrating in the the nineties, Arab Bank has added seventies on the newly emerging oil investment banking to its established economies of the Gulf while steadily services. expanding in its new home base of . It also began to turn its BRAND VALUES attention to the wider world. With Arab Bank PLC can lay claim to the opening of a sister institution, one of the longest and decidedly Arab Bank (Overseas) in Zurich the most distinguished histories of branch in 1962 and in Geneva in any bank in the region. 1964, the Bank became the first The Bank’s origin pre-dates World Arab financial institution to establish War II and has continued on during MARKET of accolades throughout the Palestinian Arabs rose in revolt against the a presence in Switzerland. periods of regional turmoil and Arab Bank Group is one its lifetime including the growing Jewish immigration and colonisation of Also during 1962 Arab Bank strife that would have severely of the principal financial Euromoney Award for their country. While Talat Harb decided to place branches were opened in Lagos tested and destroyed the resolve of institutions in the Arab Excellence 1998 as the his investment in the project on hold, Abdul and Kano. In 1964 Arab Bank AG many institutions not just regionally world and ranks among Best Bank in Jordan. This Hameed Shoman was determined to go ahead. Frankfurt /Main opened and in meet customer needs and to ensure maximum but globally, if similar circumstances the leading international prestigious award reflects When political uncertainty caused other 1973 Arab Bank opened a branch in London. operating efficiency. were applied. During all of these periods, the in terms of equity, Arab Bank’s outstanding Palestinian investors to lose confidence in the The process of internalisation had just begun Since 1985 the Bank has been developing Bank has not just weathered each crisis, but in earnings and assets. Arab performance. project, the Indomitable Arab, as Abdul Hameed maintaining Arab Bank’s policy of steady an integrated internal control mechanism with every case has benefited and emerged even Bank was established in Shoman came to be known, gathered several geographic expansion. a clear line of accountability to ensure that their stronger. 1930 in , and in HISTORY members of his own family and two close In the Bank’s first decades they concentrated entire network meets the highest international Arab Bank can be described in at least 1948, Arab Bank’s general When Abdul Hameed friends, put up his own money, and with just on establishing a solid branch network standards of management. They have also two ways. The first way, the Bank is clearly management was moved Shoman established the 15,000 Palestinian pounds in paid up capital throughout the Arab World, moving steadily been working to improve their disclosure a survivor. The second way is that the Bank’s to with the bank Arab Bank in Jerusalem in realised his dream. from Palestine into Jordan, , Lebanon, Egypt levels and introduce a transparency in their own name can be a misnomer, especially from later being reincorporated 1930, he wanted to build The Arab Bank was registered on 21 May and Iraq. In the 1970s the rapidly expanding oil financial statements that will enable both their risk profile perspective. While the Bank is in Jordan as a public an institution that would 1930. When it began business in Jerusalem on 14 economies of the Gulf were a major focus. shareholders and their customers to appreciate headquartered in Amman Jordan, the overall shareholding company. serve the Arab world. July 1930, an Arab institution had been born. From 1960 onwards the Bank began to the ever-growing earning power of the Bank, its country risk profile resembles some of the Arab Bank is owned Over 70 years later the In 1948 the British Mandate Authority take their services out to Arab individuals and low level of risk and its strong financial position. best banks domiciled in both Western Europe by approximately 4,800 bank, which began with just withdrew from Palestine and the State of Israel communities around the world. They were At the same time the Bank’s management and the United States. The Bank brings with shareholders from seven shareholders and a was established. For Arab Bank this led to the the first Arab financial institution to establish a has become progressively decentralised with it, a long history and a philosophy that its across the world, mainly capital of 15,000 Palestinian loss of its branches in Jaffa and Haifa and the presence in Switzerland with the opening of Arab the establishment of main regional management customers are indeed first and most important. from Arab countries. pounds, is an international payment of more than four million of the six Bank (Overseas) in Zurich in 1962 and Geneva centres in Amman, Bahrain, London, Singapore, It is this philosophy that has created the bank Arab Bank Group has a institution with a balance million pounds deposited with the Bank in in 1964. These and other European branches in New York, Lebanon, Egypt , Switzerland and that exists today and that can lay claim to be diversified network of over sheet of US $26 billion, Palestine, to depositors now outside the country. the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Greece, Cyprus Yemen. Within Jordan , authority is progressively a peer bank comparable to some of the best 350 branches worldwide and is engaged in shareholder’s equity of US $2 billion and a 2003 These branches were later re-established; Haifa and Singapore and sister companies in Austria being delegated to head office units responsible banks in the world. This philosophy has also providing a wide variety of financial services to income of US $225 million. branch in Beirut and then Amman, Jaffa branch in and Germany, have subsequently been joined by for the branches, while branch managers are moved Arab Bank into being one of the only individual, corporate and institutional customers, The Bank’s success would not have surprised Nablus and later Ramallah. When the Jerusalem their branches in the United States and a wholly- being given more leeway on decision making. true ‘ flight to quality’ banks in the Middle East. government agencies and other international its founder. Abdul Hameed Shoman was a branch was caught up in the civil disturbance and owned subsidiary in Australia. The opening of the Arab Bank have always placed a high priority financial institutions. These services include Palestinian emigre who, after eighteen years in war that marked the end of the Mandate and Bank’s representative offices in China and their on staff training and they maintain training www.arabbank.com corporate and international banking, investment the United States during which he built a thriving the division of Palestine, the Bank’s activities were branch in Seoul are a recognition of the growing departments in all their countries of operation. banking, private banking and retail banking. commercial business, understood the need and moved to offices within the old city of Jerusalem. importance of economic ties between Asia and Staff are offered the opportunity to upgrade Arab Bank employs a prudent risk the potential for a bank that was committed to A decision was then taken to move the the Arab world. both their professional and language skills management policy which is centred on selecting the development of the Arab economies. headquarters of the Bank to Amman and it Today Arab Bank Group has a presence in and regularly attend both in-house training prime assets and, at the same time, maintaining The growth of Arab Bank has come against a was from its new base that Arab Bank plunged every Arab country in which private sector programmes and courses offered by specialised high liquidity. background of both regional political turbulence straight into fulfilling its founder’s vision of banking services are permitted, a global network institutions for banking and finance. The group’s equity is more than US$2.97 and spectacular growth and development. It came becoming a bank for the Arab World. of more than 400 branches and offices on five The Information Systems Division (ISD), which billion. Total assets of the group are around into being just as the countries of the region The decades following the 1948 war were a continents, and they are still growing. has nine information systems centers in the US$23.7 billion. Most of the group’s external were emerging as independent states and it has period of rapid expansion. In 1949 alone, six new Arab World and 12 in international branches, sources of funds are composed of stable been there to offer its support as they set out to branches were established in an area ranging PRODUCT provides specialised training to all their staff customer deposits which give the Group ample reshape themselves as modern industrial states. from the Saudi Arabian port city of Jeddah to Arab Bank have always succeeded in blending through in-house courses and on-the-job training. room to manage its assets efficiently and reflect At all times its reliance on prudent Basra in southern Iraq and Homs in Syria. By their long historical experience and a reputation This process of on-going training is a key to the customer’s long-standing confidence and management and integrity, combined with its the end of 1961 Arab Bank had 43 branches for prudence with the introduction of the latest both improved customer service and to career loyalty. Total deposits with the Group are about persistence and tenacity, have kept it strong and extending throughout the Arab World and its in technology to ensure the most effective advancement for staff. US$ 21.8 billion. given it a unique reputation and identity within capital stood at JD 5.5 million. management and customer services. They were Things you didn’t know about The capital adequacy ratio (measured the Arab World and beyond. The world of Abdul The decades of the sixties and seventies were pioneers in the Arab World in introducing RECENT DEVELOPMENTS Arab bank according to the Basle Committee Rule) for the Hameed Shoman no longer exists but his vision a time of change for the region’s countries which information systems into their work and have The move into the international arena has never Group is around 20.5%. Moreover, total equity remains alive in the spirit of enterprise that had been under French and British control since consistently been the first institution to offer new lost momentum. Today, with a presence in 30 corresponds to more than 28.5% of the loan marks today’s Arab Bank. the end of the First World services in the Arab World. countries and five continents, the Bank is as The Bank was founded in Jerusalem in 1930. portfolio. Arab Bank founder War. Syria, Lebanon, Iraq Within the Bank, an inter-branch system and much an international as it is an Arab institution. The Bank is truly international with a presence on Arab Bank management is young, Abdul Hameed Shoman and Jordan had gained electronic signature verification and queuing Arab Bank entities in Europe actually comprise all five continents. knowledgeable and working to enhance and returned to Jerusalem in their independence and system have been introduced whilst all branches the majority share of total assets, loan portfolio, solidify the future success of the Bank. It is 1929 after eighteen years Saudi Arabia and the Gulf are also connected to the SWIFT systems to deposits and revenue while the Arab countries The Bank’s logo is a map of the Arab countries, determined to improve the Bank’s services to in America. He had come states were just beginning ensure efficiency and customer convenience. (excluding Jordan) are now second. adorned by leaves of the palm tree, whose its clients, increase its operational effectiveness, back to a region that was to see the promise of The Bank is now constructing a global multi The Bank’s approach to expansion has been fruits were once the main source of food fortify its strategic position, and build on the served by only one genuine new development based service frame relay network which will provide varied and flexible. Arab Bank (Switzerland) to the Arabs, together with camel “ship of Bank’s 74 years of outstanding achievements. local bank, the Banque on their oil resources. connectivity between their branches world-wide is a sister company wholly owned by the the desert” and the horse, principal means Misr founded in Cairo by Hopes were high that all and will support their applications such as global shareholders of Arab Bank plc while Arab Bank of transport for the dissemination of Arab ACHIEVEMENTS Egyptian nationalist Talat the countries of the region treasury, E-mail, Internet Banking. AG Frankfurt, Arab Bank Australia , Arab Bank civilization and ideas. In establishing the Bank, Abdul Hameed Shoman’s Harb in 1920. At first Abdul would be able to develop Automated customer services include (Austria), and Islamic International Arab Bank are According to “The Banker” Magazine Annual purpose was to serve the Arab World as a Hameed Shoman tried modern and independent Automated Teller Machines, Corporate Banking, all wholly owned subsidiaries. The Bank also has Rating, Arab Bank ranked 186 among “Top whole. He wanted this bank to belong to all Arab to work with Talat Harb economies. Phone Banking, Voice Mail, Visa cards, Visa Electron a 64.24% share in Arab Tunisian Bank, 55% of 1000 World Banks” in terms of Tier One people and to become a part of their history. in founding the Egypt- Alongside these hopes cards and National Express cards Service. The Arab Bank Investment Bank and a 30-50% share capital as at the end of 2003. For the Bank’s emblem he chose the map of the Palestine Bank which was the Bank found itself facing Bank now has more than 140 Automated Teller in associated companies in Oman, Saudi Arabia Arab countries, adorned by leaves of the palm to have a capital of 100,000 new challenges as a number machines operating in ten countries and was the and Lebanon. Arab bank Group’s Tier One capital reached tree, whose fruits were once the main source Palestinian pounds, shared of Arab governments first bank to introduce ATM services in Jordan, Growth has not just been a matter of size, USD 2259 million , with an increase of 7.8% of food to the Arabs, together with camel “ship equally by Egyptian and embarked on policies of Lebanon, Palestine and Yemen it has also meant a steady expansion into new compared to 2002 . Its Total Assets reached of the desert” and the horse, principal means Palestinian shareholders. nationalisation. Branches The success of Arab Bank is based on their areas of business. In its early years in Palestine about USD 24.5 billion , with an increase of of transport for the dissemination of Arab Political developments in Egypt and Syria were ability to serve their customers effectively. and the region, the Bank concentrated on trade 7.7% comparing to 2002 , which ranked Arab civilization and ideas. in Palestine overtook nationalized in 1961, in Iraq For this they need a system of management, and small scale construction finance. As oil Bank 264 among Top World Banks in terms of The Bank has won more than its fair share these first efforts. In 1929, in 1964, in Aden in 1969 backed by a well trained and committed staff, to revenues fuelled development in the Arab World Total Assets.

14 SUPERBRANDS and in Sudan and Libya in 1970. during the seventies, the Bank played Throughout this period a total of 25 a growing role in large scale project branches were lost. finance, both directly and through Undaunted, the Bank continued participation in syndicated loans. In its expansion, concentrating in the the nineties, Arab Bank has added seventies on the newly emerging oil investment banking to its established economies of the Gulf while steadily services. expanding in its new home base of Jordan. It also began to turn its BRAND VALUES attention to the wider world. With Arab Bank PLC can lay claim to the opening of a sister institution, one of the longest and decidedly Arab Bank (Overseas) in Zurich the most distinguished histories of branch in 1962 and in Geneva in any bank in the Middle East region. 1964, the Bank became the first The Bank’s origin pre-dates World Arab financial institution to establish War II and has continued on during MARKET of accolades throughout the Palestinian Arabs rose in revolt against the a presence in Switzerland. periods of regional turmoil and Arab Bank Group is one its lifetime including the growing Jewish immigration and colonisation of Also during 1962 Arab Bank strife that would have severely of the principal financial Euromoney Award for their country. While Talat Harb decided to place branches were opened in Lagos tested and destroyed the resolve of institutions in the Arab Excellence 1998 as the his investment in the project on hold, Abdul and Kano. In 1964 Arab Bank AG many institutions not just regionally world and ranks among Best Bank in Jordan. This Hameed Shoman was determined to go ahead. Frankfurt /Main opened and in meet customer needs and to ensure maximum but globally, if similar circumstances the leading international prestigious award reflects When political uncertainty caused other 1973 Arab Bank opened a branch in London. operating efficiency. were applied. During all of these periods, the Banks in terms of equity, Arab Bank’s outstanding Palestinian investors to lose confidence in the The process of internalisation had just begun Since 1985 the Bank has been developing Bank has not just weathered each crisis, but in earnings and assets. Arab performance. project, the Indomitable Arab, as Abdul Hameed maintaining Arab Bank’s policy of steady an integrated internal control mechanism with every case has benefited and emerged even Bank was established in Shoman came to be known, gathered several geographic expansion. a clear line of accountability to ensure that their stronger. 1930 in Jerusalem, and in HISTORY members of his own family and two close In the Bank’s first decades they concentrated entire network meets the highest international Arab Bank can be described in at least 1948, Arab Bank’s general When Abdul Hameed friends, put up his own money, and with just on establishing a solid branch network standards of management. They have also two ways. The first way, the Bank is clearly management was moved Shoman established the 15,000 Palestinian pounds in paid up capital throughout the Arab World, moving steadily been working to improve their disclosure a survivor. The second way is that the Bank’s to Amman with the bank Arab Bank in Jerusalem in realised his dream. from Palestine into Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Egypt levels and introduce a transparency in their own name can be a misnomer, especially from later being reincorporated 1930, he wanted to build The Arab Bank was registered on 21 May and Iraq. In the 1970s the rapidly expanding oil financial statements that will enable both their risk profile perspective. While the Bank is in Jordan as a public an institution that would 1930. When it began business in Jerusalem on 14 economies of the Gulf were a major focus. shareholders and their customers to appreciate headquartered in Amman Jordan, the overall shareholding company. serve the Arab world. July 1930, an Arab institution had been born. From 1960 onwards the Bank began to the ever-growing earning power of the Bank, its country risk profile resembles some of the Arab Bank is owned Over 70 years later the In 1948 the British Mandate Authority take their services out to Arab individuals and low level of risk and its strong financial position. best banks domiciled in both Western Europe by approximately 4,800 bank, which began with just withdrew from Palestine and the State of Israel communities around the world. They were At the same time the Bank’s management and the United States. The Bank brings with shareholders from seven shareholders and a was established. For Arab Bank this led to the the first Arab financial institution to establish a has become progressively decentralised with it, a long history and a philosophy that its across the world, mainly capital of 15,000 Palestinian loss of its branches in Jaffa and Haifa and the presence in Switzerland with the opening of Arab the establishment of main regional management customers are indeed first and most important. from Arab countries. pounds, is an international payment of more than four million of the six Bank (Overseas) in Zurich in 1962 and Geneva centres in Amman, Bahrain, London, Singapore, It is this philosophy that has created the bank Arab Bank Group has a institution with a balance million pounds deposited with the Bank in in 1964. These and other European branches in New York, Lebanon, Egypt , Switzerland and that exists today and that can lay claim to be diversified network of over sheet of US $26 billion, Palestine, to depositors now outside the country. the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Greece, Cyprus Yemen. Within Jordan , authority is progressively a peer bank comparable to some of the best 350 branches worldwide and is engaged in shareholder’s equity of US $2 billion and a 2003 These branches were later re-established; Haifa and Singapore and sister companies in Austria being delegated to head office units responsible banks in the world. This philosophy has also providing a wide variety of financial services to income of US $225 million. branch in Beirut and then Amman, Jaffa branch in and Germany, have subsequently been joined by for the branches, while branch managers are moved Arab Bank into being one of the only individual, corporate and institutional customers, The Bank’s success would not have surprised Nablus and later Ramallah. When the Jerusalem their branches in the United States and a wholly- being given more leeway on decision making. true ‘ flight to quality’ banks in the Middle East. government agencies and other international its founder. Abdul Hameed Shoman was a branch was caught up in the civil disturbance and owned subsidiary in Australia. The opening of the Arab Bank have always placed a high priority financial institutions. These services include Palestinian emigre who, after eighteen years in war that marked the end of the Mandate and Bank’s representative offices in China and their on staff training and they maintain training www.arabbank.com corporate and international banking, investment the United States during which he built a thriving the division of Palestine, the Bank’s activities were branch in Seoul are a recognition of the growing departments in all their countries of operation. banking, private banking and retail banking. commercial business, understood the need and moved to offices within the old city of Jerusalem. importance of economic ties between Asia and Staff are offered the opportunity to upgrade Arab Bank employs a prudent risk the potential for a bank that was committed to A decision was then taken to move the the Arab world. both their professional and language skills management policy which is centred on selecting the development of the Arab economies. headquarters of the Bank to Amman and it Today Arab Bank Group has a presence in and regularly attend both in-house training prime assets and, at the same time, maintaining The growth of Arab Bank has come against a was from its new base that Arab Bank plunged every Arab country in which private sector programmes and courses offered by specialised high liquidity. background of both regional political turbulence straight into fulfilling its founder’s vision of banking services are permitted, a global network institutions for banking and finance. The group’s equity is more than US$2.97 and spectacular growth and development. It came becoming a bank for the Arab World. of more than 400 branches and offices on five The Information Systems Division (ISD), which billion. Total assets of the group are around into being just as the countries of the region The decades following the 1948 war were a continents, and they are still growing. has nine information systems centers in the US$23.7 billion. Most of the group’s external were emerging as independent states and it has period of rapid expansion. In 1949 alone, six new Arab World and 12 in international branches, sources of funds are composed of stable been there to offer its support as they set out to branches were established in an area ranging PRODUCT provides specialised training to all their staff customer deposits which give the Group ample reshape themselves as modern industrial states. from the Saudi Arabian port city of Jeddah to Arab Bank have always succeeded in blending through in-house courses and on-the-job training. room to manage its assets efficiently and reflect At all times its reliance on prudent Basra in southern Iraq and Homs in Syria. By their long historical experience and a reputation This process of on-going training is a key to the customer’s long-standing confidence and management and integrity, combined with its the end of 1961 Arab Bank had 43 branches for prudence with the introduction of the latest both improved customer service and to career loyalty. Total deposits with the Group are about persistence and tenacity, have kept it strong and extending throughout the Arab World and its in technology to ensure the most effective advancement for staff. US$ 21.8 billion. given it a unique reputation and identity within capital stood at JD 5.5 million. management and customer services. They were Things you didn’t know about The capital adequacy ratio (measured the Arab World and beyond. The world of Abdul The decades of the sixties and seventies were pioneers in the Arab World in introducing RECENT DEVELOPMENTS Arab bank according to the Basle Committee Rule) for the Hameed Shoman no longer exists but his vision a time of change for the region’s countries which information systems into their work and have The move into the international arena has never Group is around 20.5%. Moreover, total equity remains alive in the spirit of enterprise that had been under French and British control since consistently been the first institution to offer new lost momentum. Today, with a presence in 30 corresponds to more than 28.5% of the loan marks today’s Arab Bank. the end of the First World services in the Arab World. countries and five continents, the Bank is as The Bank was founded in Jerusalem in 1930. portfolio. Arab Bank founder War. Syria, Lebanon, Iraq Within the Bank, an inter-branch system and much an international as it is an Arab institution. The Bank is truly international with a presence on Arab Bank management is young, Abdul Hameed Shoman and Jordan had gained electronic signature verification and queuing Arab Bank entities in Europe actually comprise all five continents. knowledgeable and working to enhance and returned to Jerusalem in their independence and system have been introduced whilst all branches the majority share of total assets, loan portfolio, solidify the future success of the Bank. It is 1929 after eighteen years Saudi Arabia and the Gulf are also connected to the SWIFT systems to deposits and revenue while the Arab countries The Bank’s logo is a map of the Arab countries, determined to improve the Bank’s services to in America. He had come states were just beginning ensure efficiency and customer convenience. (excluding Jordan) are now second. adorned by leaves of the palm tree, whose its clients, increase its operational effectiveness, back to a region that was to see the promise of The Bank is now constructing a global multi The Bank’s approach to expansion has been fruits were once the main source of food fortify its strategic position, and build on the served by only one genuine new development based service frame relay network which will provide varied and flexible. Arab Bank (Switzerland) to the Arabs, together with camel “ship of Bank’s 74 years of outstanding achievements. local bank, the Banque on their oil resources. connectivity between their branches world-wide is a sister company wholly owned by the the desert” and the horse, principal means Misr founded in Cairo by Hopes were high that all and will support their applications such as global shareholders of Arab Bank plc while Arab Bank of transport for the dissemination of Arab ACHIEVEMENTS Egyptian nationalist Talat the countries of the region treasury, E-mail, Internet Banking. AG Frankfurt, Arab Bank Australia , Arab Bank civilization and ideas. In establishing the Bank, Abdul Hameed Shoman’s Harb in 1920. At first Abdul would be able to develop Automated customer services include (Austria), and Islamic International Arab Bank are According to “The Banker” Magazine Annual purpose was to serve the Arab World as a Hameed Shoman tried modern and independent Automated Teller Machines, Corporate Banking, all wholly owned subsidiaries. The Bank also has Rating, Arab Bank ranked 186 among “Top whole. He wanted this bank to belong to all Arab to work with Talat Harb economies. Phone Banking, Voice Mail, Visa cards, Visa Electron a 64.24% share in Arab Tunisian Bank, 55% of 1000 World Banks” in terms of Tier One people and to become a part of their history. in founding the Egypt- Alongside these hopes cards and National Express cards Service. The Arab Bank Investment Bank and a 30-50% share capital as at the end of 2003. For the Bank’s emblem he chose the map of the Palestine Bank which was the Bank found itself facing Bank now has more than 140 Automated Teller in associated companies in Oman, Saudi Arabia Arab countries, adorned by leaves of the palm to have a capital of 100,000 new challenges as a number machines operating in ten countries and was the and Lebanon. Arab bank Group’s Tier One capital reached tree, whose fruits were once the main source Palestinian pounds, shared of Arab governments first bank to introduce ATM services in Jordan, Growth has not just been a matter of size, USD 2259 million , with an increase of 7.8% of food to the Arabs, together with camel “ship equally by Egyptian and embarked on policies of Lebanon, Palestine and Yemen it has also meant a steady expansion into new compared to 2002 . Its Total Assets reached of the desert” and the horse, principal means Palestinian shareholders. nationalisation. Branches The success of Arab Bank is based on their areas of business. In its early years in Palestine about USD 24.5 billion , with an increase of of transport for the dissemination of Arab Political developments in Egypt and Syria were ability to serve their customers effectively. and the region, the Bank concentrated on trade 7.7% comparing to 2002 , which ranked Arab civilization and ideas. in Palestine overtook nationalized in 1961, in Iraq For this they need a system of management, and small scale construction finance. As oil Bank 264 among Top World Banks in terms of The Bank has won more than its fair share these first efforts. In 1929, in 1964, in Aden in 1969 backed by a well trained and committed staff, to revenues fuelled development in the Arab World Total Assets.

14 SUPERBRANDS