Chairman's LetterMissionBoard of Directors Financials

In 1961, the Company’s name was changed to "Société Bancaire Agri-cole Byblos Bassil Frères et Co". In 1963, the new adopted name became Byblos Bank SAL and was registered at the newly established Central Bank. 

International & Local expansion    1976
During the 1975 civil war, the Bank expanded internationally by establishing a sister bank in Brussels (1976) and branches in Paris (1980), London (1981) and Limassol/Cyprus (1984). It focused on assisting a selected Lebanese and Arab clientele. It also served as correspondent banker for selected banks in some Middle Eastern countries.

In 1983, ADIR, the group’s insurance and reinsurance company, was established.
At the end of the war, the Bank pursued a local expansion strategy, with a focus on retail banking.

Leadership in Retail Banking    1990
The Bank successfully pioneered retail-banking products. It was the first to launch mortgage, personal lending and revolving credit card products. Byblos Bank provided financial services to small and medium size enterprises and to a selected corporate clientele. The Lebanese expatriates' community continued to receive high priority for both their personal and business requirements.

Vote of Confidence    1993
The Bank has been granted several votes of confidence from the international financial sector since the early nineties, when in June 1993 it signed a ten year loan with the IFC, dedicated for the financing of commercial loans. 

Fund Raising    1995
In December the Bank raised USD 23 million through a private placement of shares to sustain its retail and commercial banking expansion. 

Reinforcing Housing Loans    1996
In June, the Bank signed a USD 10 million over ten years subordinated loan with the FMO of Holland. These funds were dedicated to the financing of housing loans. This was followed in July with the IFC signing of a USD 25 million over ten years loan dedicated for the financing of housing loans. In September the Bank raised another USD 50 million through a 3-year Eurobond issue.

Biggest Merger    1997
In  May the Bank raised  a  further USD 100 million through a 5-year Eurobond issue and in December, it effected the largest Bank merger in the country's history (with Banque Beyrouth pour le Commerce). 

Europe Integration & Shares on BSE    1998
Byblos Bank Europe S.A. is integrated into Byblos Bank S.A.L. and in May of the same year, the Bank listed 30% of its outstanding shares on the Beirut Stock Exchange.

Record results    1999
The Bank signed a USD 69 million for ten years loan in December with the IFC which was dedicated to the financing of both housing and commercial loans.
As of December 31st, the Bank ranked 2nd in total equity and in profits, 3rd in total assets and in customer deposits among its Lebanese peers.

Facing the new millennium    2000
March and April witnessed the signing of a USD 15 million over ten years loan, with the FMO of Holland. The signing of a USD 10 million over ten years loan, with Proparco of France and  a USD 5 million over seven years, with the Opec fund of Austriaa  followed.  The loans were dedicated to the financing of commercial loans. These facilities substantiate the Bank's successful tapping of the international markets to diversify and extend the maturity profile of its funding, and provide relative easy access to international funding sources.
As of 31st of December 2000, the Bank ranked 2nd in total assets and in profits, 3rd in total equity and in customer deposits among its Lebanese peers*.

Partnerships & Acquisitions  2001
On May 2001, Byblos Bank group signed a partnership with the 5th largest French Bancassurrance Group "Natexis Banque Populaire".  The French Group acquired 34% of Adir.
On June 2001, Byblos Bank acquired Wedge Bank.
On November 2001, Byblos Bank acquired the assets of ING BARINGS in Lebanon.
As of 31st of December 2001, the Bank ranked 2nd in total profits, and 3rd in total assets among its Lebanese peers.

Further Steps Towards Strategic Direction  2002
On March 2002, the Bank was granted a USD 5 Million credit line from "Saudi Fund for Development" SFD and to be the first Lebanese Bank to benefit from such facility.
On June 2002, The Bank issued USD 100 Million Subordinated Bonds to raise the capital.
On November 2002, the Bank acquired the assets and liabilities of ABN-AMRO Bank N.V. (Lebanon Branch)
As of 31st of December 2002, the Bank ranked 2nd in total assets, total profits, and in customer deposits among its Lebanese peers.
 

A Greater Role in the MENA Region 2003
On March 2003, the Bank issued USD 100 Million Preferred Shares to further raise its capital to USD 500 Million.
On August 2003, the Bank opens a new Bank in the MENA region,  Byblos Bank Africa Ltd., located in Khartoum - Sudan. 
 

*Source: Bank Data