Reflecting Mr. Maurice Sehanoui’s, Chairman and General Manager, vision of becoming a universal bank and a bank of reference in Lebanon, BLC Bank acquired 94 % of the eleventh largest bank in Cyprus, USB Bank PLC after acquiring 100% of Lati Bank’s shares. Moreover, the Bank is planning further regional expansion through the establishment of a representative office in 2011 in Abou Dhabi – UAE, in addition to a 10% participation in Fransabank Syria.

As a result of the increased lending activities in Retail and Corporate Banking, BLC Bank defined its role as one of the leading banks in the local market, actively involved in financing the productive economic sectors which will have a lasting effect on growth and sustainable development in Lebanon. This was further confirmed when BLC Bank received the Award for Best Commitment to Small and Medium enterprises for the year 2010 from the Lebanon Opportunities National Achievement Awards for Banking.

With the aim of building solid foundations for future growth, BLC Bank initiated strategic projects. This includes providing state-of-the-art systems at the front and back ends, a complete review of the Bank’s working processes and procedures, advanced internet and mobile banking, CRM solutions and branches upgrading and expansionary plans.

To underscore the success of the management strategic growth plan, BLC Bank continues to post record financial results exceeding the average growth ratios of the Lebanese Alpha Banking Group

In recognition of the Bank’s sound business strategy and financial achievements, the Arab Trade Financing Program (ATFP) granted a Line of Credit to BLC Bank aimed at developing and promoting regional trade finance. BLC Bank also signed an agreement with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, for a Global Trade Finance Program (GTFP) guarantee facility that will serve the growing trade finance needs of our clients.

The above serves to underline the Bank’s relentless drive, ambition and passion to deliver what really matters to its stakeholders.