| Superbrands 2010 Profile |
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| Written by Hassan Abdalla |
| Monday, 25 October 2010 22:54 |
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Arab African International Bank
Arab African International Bank Arab African International Bank since its establishment in 1964,AAIB is Egypt's fastest growing bank in terms of size and profitability. Its compounded average growth rate for deposit and loan portfolio has consistently outperformed market norms. The best bank in Egypt providing innovative services with a strong regional presence, being the gateway for international business into the region. Arab African International Bank Achievements Besides being its first multinational bank, AAIB holds the record for being Egypt's first in various banking achievements: 1. The First to have an International foreign exchange dealing room. 2- Opening the world of credit to its clients and merchants across Egypt. 3. The First to launch mid and long term foreign time deposits (Green Pearls) 4. The First to launch Smart technology in credit cards- awarded by Visa International as a pioneer in introducing the latest generation of Smart Cards. 5. The First to launch a competition for undergraduate students "AAIB Award". 6. The First to extend its working hours at all branches, providing clients with full services from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. 7. The First to establish a foundation for social development "We Owe it to Egypt". 8. The First to introduce Visa Mini credit cards, Egypt's smallest credit card.8. The First to introduce Visa Mini credit cards, Egypt's smallest credit card. 9. The First to introduce Merchant Loans (Details at Retail-Products section). 10. The First to introduce social and environmental risk in corporate finance. Arab African International Bank History Arab African International Bank was established by Special Law as a joint venture between the Central Bank of Egypt and Kuwait Investment Authority. Since its inception, AAIB has been known as one of the most distinguished corporate and investment banks in the region. Each holding a 49.37% stake, the Central Bank of Egypt and the Kuwait Investment Authority form the core of AAIB's shareholder base. Since its establishment, and throughout the mid 1970s, AAIB grew to be one of the most important financial institutions in the region, with international branches spreading all over the world (London, Lebanon, New York, Tunisia, Oman, Bahrain, The UAE...etc.), the bank was thriving with a booming middle eastern economy at the time. In the 1980s (which was named the lost decade), and with the Latin American debt crisis that resounded all over the globe, AAIB faced hard times till mid 1990s. Given its credible shareholders and history of solid banking, AAIB's perseverance led it to resume its growth. Today, AAIB is Egypt's fastest growing bank, it's gaining significant momentum towards assuming a leading position among Egyptian banks. With a strong regional presence in the gulf, AAIB is maintaining its core competence as a corporate bank. It is also taking breakthrough strides in retail activities through expanding its innovative product range and geographic presence in the most commercially strategic locations. Arab African International Bank Financial Group the AAIB group has developed new business arms. Arab African Investment Holding (AAIH), Arab African Investment Management (AAIM) and Arab African International Securities (AAIS). AAIH has become the group's major investment arm and manages the other two subsidiaries, AAIM and AAIS. In addition to becoming one of Egypt's leading investment institutions, AAIH is now targeting the entire Middle East region as a potential field of activity. The Egyptian Investment Association recognized the group's (Shield) Equity Fund as the best performing open end equity fund for achieving 33 per cent annual growth. In April 2009, the group launched (Juman) Money Market Fund, it was oversubscribed in less than a week from its launch. The company ended 2009 by managing the SMEs money market fund which the bank launched in cooperation with the Industrialized Modernization Centre (IMC). AAIS' ranking has improved from 94th place in December 2008 to 37th in 2009. The firm offers a full range of brokerage activities including same-day trading, online trading and margin lending, offering its customers secure instant and integrated trading via the internet at a competitive rate. AAIS is widely acknowledged as having one of the best award-winning teams of technical analysts in the region. Recently, the group acquired Real-estate Mortgage House (RMH), a company previously owned by Global Investment House . AAIB Products and Services Corporate This has further consolidated AAIB's core competency in investment and corporate banking, and bond markets positioning the bank as a high-end service provider of innovative and customized solutions to leading local and regional corporates and international investors. the bank led a number of major syndications in the fields of infrastructure and construction, which has further strengthened its position as a leading investment bank in the region. Enjoying a strong customer base and an active corporate strategy, AAIB's branches in the Emirates are considered the launching point for expansion into the Gulf. Retail Retail innovation is another focal point for AAIB; with only 10% of Egypt's population dealing with banks, AAIB sees retail as a viable growth area and a fertile field for introducing innovative products and services to the market. Arab African International Bank the chip technology in 2003 through its capacity as both issuer and acquirer. In 2007, AAIB launched a variety of innovative products and services. With the Visa Mini Card, it introduced the smallest credit card to the Egyptian market following earlier introduction of smart technology. The Bank also strengthened its Merchant Program by launching merchant loans availing optimal financing to expand size and scope of their business activities guaranteed by the value of total electronic payment transactions settled between the bank and the merchants, thus eliminating the need for collaterals or personal guarantees. Along with this, Click2Shop complements AAIB's merchant portfolio, being an internet payment gateway enabling merchants to accept online payments via their websites. The program is securely coded by international MasterCard and an authorized license by Visa (VBV). As for its AutoLoan program, it is still meeting increased customer demand, contributing to the enlarged number of facilities granted. Wealth Management "One-Stop Banking Shop" for its high net worth clients, AAIB launched its new private banking services under the corporate brand name "Wealth Management ". AAIB Wealth Management created to address the distinctive banking and lifestyle needs of high net worth clients through the pursuit of an active financial advisory process leveraging on the bank's diversified product range, competency of its affiliated subsidiaries and regional presence. Arab African International Bank continues its role as an active financial advisor to its clients. That is evident through the comprehensive protocol followed by Wealth Management's financial advisors with a client, starting with the profiling stage followed with an adequate asset allocation coupled with regular follow ups for reviews and/or rebalancing which guarantees the growth of client's returns and his trust in a true partnership with AAIB. Arab African International Bank Wealth Management adopts an active financial advisory approach with its high net worth clients targeting to maximize returns on their investment portfolios within predefined risk levels, building on the bank's full fledged investment arms, offering their client the best chance to securely invest without the need to risk outside the bank parameter. Brand Values This brand is a combination of a strong image, values and culture. The name Arab African International Bank has been associated with characteristics such as confidence, Distinction, Dynamism, Empowerment, Integrity, Passion and Patriotism. All AAIB's internal and external communication emanates from the bank's slogan of "Confidence...Distinction". Believing that a strong brand has to address key values of integrity, AAIB's "Confidence" and "Distinction" signature is becoming inherently imprinted in its brand DNA. AAIB Promotion This Brand is much evident in the bank's pioneering edge in the field of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) through reconceptualising the concept of connecting the growth of the institution to the growth in society. The bank's role goes beyond profit-making to include a moral mission to the society. This has been reflected in its strong commitment to embed CSR in all its policies and practices. In 2008, AAIB's mandate to add value to stakeholders was institutionalized through establishing a CSR Unit with the objective of enacting professional adherence to codes of conducts and ethics in dealing with stakeholders. This inclination is enforced through AAIB's engagement within international organizations that enlighten and substantiate its CSR policies. AAIB is Egypt's only bank to be a member of the UN Global Compact which focuses on human rights, labour standards, the environment, and anti-corruption. AAIB has also joined London Benchmark Group (LBG), a London-based organization that provides standard parameters measuring the effectiveness of corporate contribution to community development. AAIB became the first and only Egyptian bank to adopt the Equator Principles, a banking industry framework for addressing environmental and social risks in project financing. AAIB believes that finance - in present times - has to strengthen its role of becoming a force behind positive socio-environmental change around the world. A leader in corporate finance in Egypt's growing and well diversified economy, AAIB has vested interest in adopting Equator Principles to further substantiate social, environmental, and moral considerations across different sectors of the economy, particularly through its vast network of corporate clients. he Arab African International Bank Award for undergraduate students in Egyptian universities was launched. The students compete in groups to present a new financial product. Over 8 months, the students go through a structured process of professional training, coaching and guidance. An advisory board of professionals help train them to do presentations, feasibility studies and understand retail, corporate finance as well as treasury services. At the end, we choose three winning groups who receive a financial prize along with non-material benefits. The financial winners are three groups, but the beneficiaries are really everyone who competed and got the exposure and experience testified by the fact that most of those who competed ended with commendable career opportunities. In January 2007, and with a track record at the Cairo Pediatrics specialized hospital since 2004, AAIB launched its foundation for social development, "We Owe it to Egypt". Although established by the bank, its scope and objectives extend far beyond the bank's identity with its primary goal to enact a nation-wide initiative that inspires and mobilizes the corporate sector towards making a fundamental and positive difference in the fields of public health and education in Egypt. AAIB believes that its "raison d'tre", growth and success are all ultimately focused on delivering value to clients. It embraced an undertaking to raising the bar of Customer Delight in financial services, pledging not only distinguished products and services but exclusive experience across all contact points. Towards this end, AAIB is mobilizing its resources while seeking continuous engagements with clients. Won the following awards: 2010 Best Financial Group - World Finance 2010 Quality Recognition Award - J.P Morgan Chase 2008 Bank of the Year - The Banker 2008 Best Bank in Egypt - Euromoney 2008 Quality Recognition Award - J.P Morgan Chase 2007 Best Bank in Egypt - Euromoney 2007 Quality Recognition Award - J.P Morgan Chase 2006 Bank of the Year - The Banker 2006 Visa Innovation Award - Visa DISCLAIMER: This article is provided as information only and is not to be taken as financial advice. Learn More about Wealth Management #1, then visit Arab African International Bank's site on how to choose the best Global Investments Egypt #2 for your needs. |