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issue Nº6 2012 The Group Financial Performance A Noteworthy Financial Performance as at End 2011 Rewarding Excellence in Performance Outreach to Members Expertise and Knowledge-Sharing Since 1921 An Integrated and Vivacious Web and Social Media Presence Network Reach Fransabank Network Expansion in Algeria A Modernized Branch Network in Lebanon Business Development Arab Economies Under the Spotlight Arab Investments During Current Challenges Ready to Collect Money with Fransabank Cash Back Program? The Citizen Bank Touching Lives Inspiring Communities A Culture that Shines A Smoke-Free and Fresh Workplace!
Transcript

issueNº62012

The Group Financial Performance A Noteworthy Financial Performance as at End 2011Rewarding Excellence in Performance

Outreach to Members Expertise and Knowledge-Sharing Since 1921An Integrated and Vivacious Web and Social Media Presence

Network Reach Fransabank Network Expansion in AlgeriaA Modernized Branch Network in Lebanon

Business DevelopmentArab Economies Under the SpotlightArab Investments During Current ChallengesReady to Collect Money with Fransabank Cash Back Program?

The Citizen BankTouching Lives Inspiring CommunitiesA Culture that ShinesA Smoke-Free and Fresh Workplace!

issueNº62012

© 2012 All rights reserved. Copying forother than personal or internal referenceuse without express written permissionfrom Fransabank Group is prohibited.

CONTACT US- We need your input.Please contact us with any suggestions or comments at:[email protected]

CONTENTS

06

The Group Financial Perform

ance

16Network Reach

• Fransabank Network Expansion in Algeria

• A Modernized Branch Network in Lebanon

• A Notew

orthy Financial P

erform

ance as at End 2011

• Fransabank Among the Top 1,000 Banks in th

e World

• Rew

arding Excellence in Perform

ance

10Outreach to Mem

bers

• Expertise and Knowledge-Sharing Since 1921

• An Integrated and Vivacious Web and Social M

edia Presence

04

Letter to Reader

18

Busi

nes

s D

evel

op

men

t • Arab Econom

ies Under the Spotlight

• Arab Investments During Current Challenges

• With 3.5% Interest Rate* and Much More, you are Hom

e at Last!

• Ready to Collect Money with Fransabank Cash Back Program

?• The Icing on Your Wedding Cake

38

Ou

r Pe

op

le, O

ur

Ass

ets

• Fransabank Dragon Team

“The Unbeatable Spirit”

• An Amicable Life at Fransabank23

The

Cit

izen

Ban

k• Touching Lives Inspiring Communities

• A Culture that Shines

• As Solid as Baalbeck’s Ruins of Jupiter and Temple of Bacchus!

• A Night of Tarab with “Ham

am Khairy”

at the Beiteddine International Festival 2012

• A Smoke-Free and Fresh Workplace!

• Awarding Excellence in Education

• Add Colors to Your Career!

• Encouraging Entrepreneurship

• Em

powering Wom

en for successful Businesses and Better Societies

• A Brave Bank for Brave Heart!

• For a Healthier Youth with Skoun

• A Walk for Hope and Better Tomorrows!

• In Support of Autism: “Get Through to Them

by Seeing Things Their Way!

• Reaching High with the Lebanese Army’s “Raid des Cèdres”

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Letter to Reader

Paving the way to more promising tomorrows for our institution thatholds the promise of “Tomorrow Starts Now”, and while advocatingand working hard for more promising “Tomorrows”, 2012 has been ayear of retrospective into what made our institution an institution ofchoice to many generations.

This issue of FB Angle portrays our drive to growth and excellencein perfomance and sustainability, while always safeguarding the corporatevalues of loyalty, credibility, integrity, accountability, and transparencythat we uphold and that guide us in our day-to-day practices.

People from several countries in the world joined us in rejoicing ourlegacy through participating in the multitude of happenings we eitherhosted, or partnered with third parties to bring to life. Such undertakingshave been targeting society segments of all ages and categories in aheterogenous ambiance that represents the fabric of Fransabank; aninstitution for all!

We vow to continue our legacy by upholding our guiding values andliving by them in our everyday, to build hand-in-hand, a better world forthe generations to come!

Fransabank Family

The Group FinancialPerformance

A Noteworthy Financial Performance as atEnd 2011

• At year-end 2011, the Group’snet profits amounted to USD155.320 million with a growthrate of 6.57%, a rate beingamongst the highest in the sector.

• Customers’ Deposits totaledUSD 11.740 billion at end of 2011with an increase of 16.45%.

• During the same period, NetLoans and Advances toCustomers totaled USD 4.426billion with a growth rate of40.87%.

• Shareholder’s Equity amountedto USD 1.296 billion reflecting ayear-on-year increase of0.62%.

• Other key ratios as depicted atend of 2011 are Return onAverage Common Equity with13.25%, Return on AverageAssets with 1.16%, CoverageRatio of the Non-PerformingLoans by the Provisions at85.86%, Solvency Ratio (BaselIII) at 10.01% and PrimaryLiquidity to Customers’Deposits Ratio at 52%.

The year 2011 marked a noteworthy financial performance forFransabank Group. The Group pursued its strategy of developmentof its activities and the achievement of outstanding financial per-formance results. Such results were translated in a remarkablegrowth of around 18% in the Group’s total assets to reach USD14.444, by end of year 2011, compared to the same period in 2010,thus sustaining the Group’s ranking in Lebanon as the 4th largestfinancial institution in terms of Assets, Customers’ Deposits, NetProfits and Shareholders’ Equity. As at end 2011, the Groupimproved its position within the Lebanese banking sector rankingsin terms of Net Loans and Advances to Customers to the 3rd rank, ascompared to the 5th rank it held as at end 2010.

Other financial indicators depicted the same upward trend during thesame period:

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Total Assets

Customers’ Deposits

Net Loans & Advances to Customers

Shareholders’ Equity

Net Profits

USD 14.444 billion

USD 11.740 billion

USD 4.426 billion

USD 1.296 billion

USD 155.320 million

USD 12.244 billion

USD 10.082 billion

USD 3.142 billion

USD 1.288 billion

USD 145.745 million

+ 17.97%

+ 16.45%

+ 40.87%

+ 0.62%

+6.57%

At Year-End 2011 At Year-End 2010 GrowthRateKey Financial Highlights

Fransabank Among the Top 1,000 Banks in the World

This year again, Fransabank has been listed among the Top 1,000commercial banks in the world, according to the 2011 annual surveyof The Banker Magazine, part of the leading Financial Times group,ranked 55th in the MENA region and 616 globally.

The Banker Magazine’s survey included 8 Lebanese Banks in the listedbanks, with Fransabank ranking first in the posting of the biggest increasein Tier I Capital among Lebanese banks, with a 9.9% increase year-on-year.

The banks’ rankings are based on Tier I Capital at year end-2011 as definedby the Basel’s Bank for International Settlements. Overall, the Lebanesebanks included in the rankings reported a Tier I Capital of US$ 8,359 million,down by 3.6% from 2010.

The Group FinancialPerformance

New Issuance of Series C Preferred Shares

The Series “C” Preferred Shareshave an issue price of USD 200per share and will distributedividends ranging from USD 12.70to USD 13.70 per share (repre-senting a dividend yield of 6.35%to 6.85%) as will be determinedbefore the issue date. With aminimum subscription amount ofUSD 20.000 and multiples of USD5.000, the Series “C” PreferredShares is open to private and

institutional investors in Lebanonand abroad outside the UnitedStates.

This Issue, which will be accountedfor as Tier I Capital, will strengthenthe Bank’s Shareholders’ Equityand give it additional flexibility tofurther pursue its expansionstrategy in Lebanon and otherpromising markets.

Fransabank started mid July the process to issue in December 2012new Preferred Shares Series “C” that are perpetual, non-cumulativeand redeemable, for an amount of USD 50 to 75 million.

Fransabank won for its proximity to customers’ strategy the "WidestNational Outreach Award 2010" from the Lebanon OpportunitiesMagazine within the Lebanese National Achievement Awards forBanking. It was also selected by the same publication for the “BestNew Retail Product Award” for its revolutionary Energy Loanslaunched in 2010. In 2009 and 2008, Fransabank was also awardedfrom the Banker the following prestigious awards:

• The ‘Deal of the Year - Highly Commended 2009’, for issuing SeriesA Preferred Shares.

• The ‘Deal of the Year 2008 - Lebanon’ award, after acquiring thehighly coveted BLC Bank.

In previous years…

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Rewarding Excellence in Performance

In May 2012, the preeminentinternational magazine, theBanker, part of the FinancialTimes Group, bestowedFransabank Group 3 prestigiousawards for “The Banker Deals ofthe Year 2012 Awards for theMiddle East.” Fransabank wasselected for one award “TheBanker Deals of the Year 2012 -Loans - Middle East” and FransaInvest Bank, its fully ownedInvestment and Private Bankarm, was selected for twoawards “The Banker Deals of theYear 2012 - Loans - Middle East”and “The Banker Deals of theYear 2012 - Bonds: Sovereigns,Supras and Agencies - MiddleEast”. The Banker selects onewinning and one highly com-mended “Deals of the Year” foreach one of 10 categories acrossthe Middle East region, whichadds to the exclusivity of theseawards.

Fransa Invest Bank, FransabankGroup was also selected this

August as “The Best InvestmentBank, Lebanon – 2012” by theWorld Finance Banking Awards.It is worth noting that The WorldFinance Awards – was created in2007 to identify industry leaders,individuals, teams and organi-zations that represent thebenchmark achievement andbest practice in the financial andbusiness world. The WorldFinance enjoys a distributionnetwork of 120,000 key decision-makers around the world; repre-senting multinational financialinstitutions, banks, investmentbanks, fund managers andgovernment treasury depart-ments.

At the retail business level,Fransabank won during the samemonth the “Best ContactlessInnovation Award” for its innova-tive MasterCard PayPass Card,during the “Smart Card AwardsMiddle East 2012” that wasorganized by Terrapin in the UAE.

Fransabank Group’s achievements in 2011 reflect our leading role inthe development of the economies where we operate. Fransabankinitiatives, know-how and expertise in multiple financial fields wererecognized and awarded:

Outreach to Members

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During the Knowledge® conference,which took place last February atthe Adnan Kassar Edifice forArab Economy in Beirut, speakersshared their experiences,insights, and strategies as wellas emerging topics with around500 of the community’s key publicand private sectors decisionmakers, top finance and businessleaders, senior executives andleading academicians as well asMedia from Lebanon and abroad.

The conference was followed by acocktail reception at the samevenue where participants wereexposed to networking opportu-nities with informed and spiritedspeakers, as well as a selectaudience.

For over 9 decades, Fransabankhas been committed to expertiseand knowledge-sharing with allits stakeholders. The insightsshared by global leaders during

Knowledge® made this event atalk of town, especially thatsound “Leadership” is at theheart of legacies built in nations.Th r ough i n i t i a t i v e s l i k eKnowledge®, Fransabank Groupstresses further on its endeavorto build, hand-in-hand, with allits stakeholders, more prosperousand promising tomorrows.

Within its 90 Years Anniversary Celebrations, and under the auspices ofthe Lebanese President of the Council of Ministers, H.E. Mr. Nagib Mikati,Fransabank - a premier “knowledge” provider - hosted the Knowledge®conference, entitled: “Global Business Leaders Talk: Performing in aChallenging World”, with Fransabank Group’s Chairman H.E. Mr. AdnanKassar and with renowned and prominent international speakers: H.E.Mr. Riad Salame - Governor of The Central Bank of Lebanon, Mr. HelmutMaucher - Honorary Chairman of Nestlé S.A., Germany, Mr. Jean-RenéFourtou - Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Vivendi, France - Mr.Philippe de Fontaine Vive - Vice President of the European InvestmentBank, Luxembourg.

Outreach to Members

“Over decades, we have had thetime to prove that we are here,that we exist, that we areefficient and necessary, evenindispensable, without letting goof any of our dynamism, norlimiting any of our ambitions,but on the contrary, we areprogressing with increasedstrength and momentum.”

Adnan Kassar, Chairman of Fransabank Group

“If Fransabank has been ableto operate for ninety years as afinancial institution, it isbecause it has built trust andconfidence. Trust is probablythe most valuable asset for abank.”

Philippe de Fontaine Vive, Senior Vice-President

of the European Investment Bank

The Speakers

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“Fransabank has turned intoone of the leading bankinggroups in Lebanon. And sincemy appointment as Governor ofthe Central Bank, I have wit-nessed the efforts made byMinister and President AdnanKassar and by President AdelKassar, owing to which thebank has grown steadily andhas contributed to a large extentto the economic developmentand the growth of the financialsector in Lebanon.”

Riad Salameh,Governor of the Central Bank

“When talking to business peoplethese days or observing businessin general, you will hear a lotabout processing and applica-tion of information technology.And the topic of this conferenceis “knowledge” which is ofcourse also important to thesuccess in business. Manypeople even characterize thepresent day society already as a“knowledge society” and wealso know that our knowledgeis doubling about every threeyears… That is probably why myfriend Adnan Kassar has askedme to speak about ‘leadershipin business’ today.”

Helmut Maucher, Honorary Chairman of Nestlé S.A.

“Vivendi has become a majorplayer in the digital age. Societyis undergoing a very profoundtransformation. New commu-nication technologies, theInternet and mobile phones,smart tablets, smart TV,e-commerce, instant access toall the information and contentavailable worldwide, as well asthe explosion of piracy, are pro-foundly changing everyone’sbehavior, regardless of age ornationality. Business modelshave also to adapt.”

Jean-René Fourtou, Chairman of the

Supervisory Board of Vivendi

Outreach to Members

An Integrated and Vivacious Web and Social Media Presence

Taking its web and social mediapresence to a new height,Fransabank portal and socialmedia pages’ new look and feelportrays the Group’s modern,young and dynamic spirit, whilesafeguarding the Group’s imageof solid and trustworthy 90-yearyoung institution. The new design

and content reflects Fransabank’smission to provide consumerswith the most advanced bankingsolutions and its commitment toalways enhance its deliveryand proprietary channels,while interacting and engagingcustomers.

As part of its select web and social media presence, FransabankGroup underwent an overall uplift for its websitewww.fransabank.com turning it into a portal that hosts the Group’sentities and subsidiaries’ home pages, and most importantly, theGroup’s especially-created 90 years micrositewww.fransabank.com/fransabank90, in commemoration of the 90years anniversary celebrations of the Group. This was coupled withan extensive presence on social media channels such as LinkedIn,Facebook and Twitter.

Fransabank SAL WebsiteFransabank Group Portal

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Scan this QR code with your smartphone

90 Years Microsite

Fransabank Group Facebook Page

Fransabank Group Twitter Page

In as much as the newFransabank Group portal isconcerned, the goal of this portalis to provide great resources andcontinuous content that helps theGroup’s various stakeholdersunderstand how they can interactwith their Bank of Choice whilesaving time and enjoying thebrowsing experience with amultitude of services that posi-tively affect their day-to-dayoperations. It also serves thegrowing needs of having a fullycomprehensive and interactiveweb portal that carries the brandidentity across all FransabankGroup business lines whileshowcasing the Group’s interna-tional dimension.

Fransabank Group’s main portalwelcomes visitors with an easy tonavigate menu and rotating visualsrepresenting the key communi-cation messages of the Group.From simple things like checkinginformation about the Group’sservices to more extensivesolutions like chatting online

with Call Center agents andaccessing one’s accountsthrough one of the most advancedinternet banking solution, iBank,Fransabank believes in offeringthe best resources to helpcompanies and individuals makeknowledgeable decisions thataffect their bottom line.

Visitors can also “join & share”Fransabank’s other social mediapresence from Fransabank’sportal and get to learn moreabout this dynamic workplace!

It is worth noting that the newportal and its subsequent web-sites were specifically designedusing SEO best practices. Thisdetailed process ensures a highpage ranking and presence onsearch engines; a critical need intoday’s information overload,making sure that Fransabankinstantly answers the searchesand queries of web visitors.

Fransabank Network Expansion in Algeria

Fransabank ElDjazaïr, subsidiaryof FransabankGroup in Algeria,

announced in February 2012 the opening of its ConstantineBranch in the North-East of Algeria which is now the thirdbranch operating in Algeria in addition Algiers and Oranbranches.

The opening of this new branch in one of the most populated city ofthe country falls within the expansion strategy of Fransabank ElDjazaïr to further emphasize its presence in Algeria, and confirmsits full commitment to its role in supporting growth and developmentof the Algerian economy.

Fransabank El Djazaïr aspires to expand its branch network in thecoming three years to reach a total of 9 branches, adding six otherbranches in Ouled Fayet - Chéraga, Blida, Bab Ezzouar, Annaba,Sétif and a second one in Oran by end of 2014. In Ouled Fayet, theBank announced the acquisition of a 10,000 m2 building to host itsnew Head Office.

Established in 2006, Fransabank El Djazaïr is the only LebaneseBank undertaking operations in Algeria. It has witnessed to date aprogressive growth in its key financial indicators. Fransabank ElDjazaïr, which provides professional and personalized service tolarge corporations as well as SMEs, distinguished itself in a shortperiod of time with the service quality and availability of its teamcomposed mostly of young professional Algerians trained in modernmanagement methods and reinforced by Lebanese expatriates withmany years of experience in banking.

Network Reach

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With 108 branches dispersedall over the country to date,Fransabank Group confirmedlately the refurbishment andrelocation of several of itsbranches that are strategicallyand geographically dispersedall over Lebanon.

The new premises ofFransabank’s Ain Mreisseh,Chekka, Zouk, Sarba, Jdeideh,Jbeil and Aley branches havebeen conceived with the sameinnovative concept appliedlately in all new Fransabankbranches. The rebranding consists

A Modernized Branch Network in Lebanon

of new architectural standards:new signage, new façade andnew decoration that reflect theBank’s evolved image; throughwhich its aims to fulfill itsclients’ needs in the most pro-fessional manner and at thehighest service quality level. Sustaining its 1st ranking asthe largest branch network inLebanon and its strategy ofproximity towards its clients,Fransabank’s newly refurbishedand relocated branches, aswell as its locally expandednetwork, ascertain its customercare strategy that focuses primarily

on excellence in service andincreased accessibility andproximity to customers.

Visit any of Fransabankbranches and enjoy a widearray of products and servicesthat meet every individual andcompany’s financial needs!

Business Development

Arab Economies Under the Spotlight

In line with its leading economic role in Lebanon, and in an effort to promotefurther the starring role of the economies in the Arab world and the role of theBanking industry in the region, Fransabank Gold Sponsored the 20th ArabEconomic Forum Event that took place last May at the Phoenicia Hotel, Beirut.

Organized by Al Iktissad WalAamal Group, under the patronageof the Prime Minister of Lebanon,H.E. Najib Mikati, and in collabo-ration with the Central Bank, theAssociation of Banks in Lebanon,and the International FinanceCorporation (IFC) of the WorldBank, various renowned economicand political speakers discussednumerous current issues,including: The Changes that haveoccurred in the Middle East eversince the surge of the “ArabSpring”.

Fransabank’s Deputy GeneralManager for Retail and BranchNetwork, Mr. Philippe El Hajjparticipated in a panel discussionin the forum’s second day ofinteractive sessions on “ TheRole of Banking Industry in

Promoting Growth in the Region”and delivered a speech on theimportance of SMEs ineconomies. During his speech,Hajj stressed on the importanceof Small and Medium Enterpriseswhich have become of greatvalue to economies since theirintegration in the economic cyclegenerate jobs and entrepreneur-ships initiatives. He also discussedpossibilities of transformingSMEs into a driver economicdevelopment for the Lebaneseeconomy.

The Arab Economic Forumattendees, who gathered fromall over the Arab world had thechance to visit FransabankGroup’s stand which was erectedat the exhibition hall heldconcurrently with the Forum.

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Arab Investments During Current Challenges

Strenghtening its long-standing relationships in the Tunisian market,Fransabank sponsored the 15th edition of the Arab Investors andBusiness Men Forum held last May in Tunisia under the auspices of thePresident of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Tunisia, HE Mr.Hamadi Jebali.

The Forum was attended by morethan 600 participants fromTunisia, the Arab world, Europeand the United States, in thepresence of Hamadi Jebali,ministers, officials, leaders ofArab Chambers, organizationsand associations, as well asambassadors and representa-tives of diplomatic missions inTunisiamotto “Arab investmentin light of the current transfor-mations.”

His Excellency Mr. Adnan Kassar- Fransabank Group Chairmanthe President of the General

Federation of Chambers ofCommerce - emphasized in hisopening speech on the importanceof creating jobs and reducingrates of poverty, adding that,“rebuilding economic, social andpolitical structures, respondingto the aspirations of people arenecessary for every nation’sgrowth and prosperity.”

In this special occasion,President Kassar presented acommemoration plate as a tokenof appreciation to the Presidentof the Council of Ministers Mr.Hamadi Jebali.

Chairman and General Manager of Fransabank Group, HE Mr. Adnan Kassar delivering the opening speech

Business Development

With 3.5% Interest Rate* and much more, You Are Home at Last!

With an up-to 1 year grace period and arepayment period of 30 years on itsexclusive housing loans, and a specialservice on home essentials called“Assas Loan”, customers have tillSeptember 30th, 2012 to be among thefirst of their friends to move to a newplace with very preferential interestrates with the ability to be exemptedfrom a Housing Loan down payment!

*Offer valid till September 30, 2012

With its all-new exclusive Housing Loans promotion entitled: “with 3.5% interestrate, you are home at last!” Fransabank launched last July its exclusive 3.5%interest rate for the 1st year on loans in LBP & USD as well as an exemption fromfile fees. That’s not all! Fransabank also offered the first 50 applicants with eligiblefiles to benefit from a loan without any down payment.

Furthermore, to complement itsHousing loan offering, Fransabank pro-poses to its clientele its “Asass” Loan,especially conceived for the purchase ofthe home essentials such as furniture,appliances, high-tech items, energy sav-ing products, and many other productsfrom selected dealers. Available in USDollars, the “Asass” Loan offers a longgrace period that can extend from 6 toup to 36 months, coupled with a FREElife insurance.

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Asass Loan - Get the essentials for your home

Ready to Collect Money with our Cash Back Reward Program?

Carrying any of Fransabank’s Credit Cards has never been more rewarding!

Whether customers plan a new trip, orwant to shop in their favorite malls andsupermarkets, or simply want to dineout with friends and family, they can usetoday their accumulated cash on theircard usage and allocate it wherever theywant! No more need to calculate pointsand miles and get lost with figures thattake cardholders away from the essenceof a loyalty program. It is as simple asthis: Customers pay with theirFransabank Credit Cards at Points ofSales, and get 1% of their payment backin cash. And that’s not all, the more theyuse their Fransabank credits cards, themore they accumulate Cash for later onand redeem it directly to their account.

Fransabank Cash Back RewardsProgram sheds the light on howFransabank rewards its loyal customerswhile granting them the unbeatableopportunity of collecting money on one

hand, as they spend it to purchase theirlife’s essentials on the other hand.

With the slogan “Ready to CollectMoney”, the latest Fransabank CardUsage communication campaign wasreleased last March across the country,inviting loyal customers to “Cask Back”their loyalty to Fransabank.

So, if ready to collect money then loyalcustomers can Cash Back the expe-rience of any amount spent, locally orabroad, at any points of sale, or over theinternet, while enjoying a world ofbenefits and opportunities!

Business Development

The Icing on Your Wedding Cake

With the slogan “The Icing on Your Wedding Cake”, Fransabanklaunched its all-new AFRAH Package, the ideal wedding packagedesigned for couples starting a new chapter of their lives!

The launch of AFRAH Packageduring the Wedding FoliesExhibition held in BIEL in Beirutlast February, and where a largenumber of couples gathered tobenefit from the package’sexceptional offers. One luckycouple won their dream weddingcake which came as an icing ontop of the many other benefitsoffered by AFRAH Package.

With a bundle of services includingan Account, a Loan and aDiscount Card, AFRAH Package

offers very preferential interestrates on AFRAH Account andAFRAH Loan, 2 free Debit Cards,2 free Gold Credit Cards, as wellas special discounts at selectmerchants and much more!

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A dynamic Fransabank workforce welcoming young couples !

The Citizen Bank

Touching Lives Inspiring Communities

At Fransabank Group, we believe that corporatesocial responsibility is about making a contributionto sustainable development and society throughcreating long-term value for our shareholders,customers, employees and other stakeholders.

“ “

The Citizen Bank

The first-of-its-kind book tobe published in Lebanon by afinancial group, this 64-pagerich “Touching Lives, InspiringCommunities” Book is a testi-mony to Fransabank Group’sCSR strategy that has earnedthe Group an exemplary placeat the heart of the country’scorporate landscape. Whilevaluing today the manyaccomplishments Fransabankhas been undertaking in thisrespect, the 90 years younginstitution vows to pursue itsmission and achieve so muchmore in the years to come.

To order your digital or printversion of this must-readbook, kindly visit www.fransabank.com

Under the title “Touching Lives, Inspiring Communities”, Fransabankrecently launched its first Corporate Social Responsibility book. Thisbook offers a comprehensive review of the numerous initiatives that theBank has undertaken many years ago, even before the concept ofCorporate Social Responsibility evolved and became a norm and a mustin institutions. Fransabank CSR book demonstrates the commitment ofthe Bank to actively promoting a sustainable approach to the conduct ofits business activities.

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> Roadmap of the Global Compact

Fransabank Chairman Adnan Kassar was the first and only Arab national tobe elected president of the International Chamber of Commerce. During hispresidency, the relationship between the United Nations and business hasbeen extended to exceed its traditional context to include the pursuitof mutually supported goals and objectives. In this vein, the first initiativewas the launch of the Global Compact which produced effective andpositive results in the various areas of common interest.

The Global Compact is a policy platform and practical framework for compa-nies that are committed to sustainability and responsible business practicesin the areas of environment, human rights, labour, and anti-corruption.

A joint statement between the UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan and ICCpresident, Adnan Kassar clearly indicated that there exists a great synergy forthe goals of the United Nations – peace and development – and those ofbusiness – wealth creation and prosperity.

The two concerned parties noted that a stronger private sector worldwideand particularly the positive impact of foreign direct investment, werealready making an effective contribution to attainment of the UN’s goals.

-> Secretary General of the United Nations, Kofi Annan and President of the International Chamber of Commerce ICC, Adnan Kassar aer signing the Global Compact between business and the United Nations in 1999.

The Citizen Bank

A Culture that Shines

Under the theme “A Culture That Shines”, Fransabank Group celebratedits 90 Years of shared history with the Lebanese people by supporting andparticipating in leading international festivals in Lebanon. FransabankGroup’s summer fever spread relentlessly across the corners of Lebanonto fulfil its continuous socially-responsible thrive to promote Lebanon asa cultural destination which is essential for the country’s prosperity whileforging a more socially cohesive society on one hand and attractingtourism on the other.

From the, Baalbeck’s breath-taking temples of ancient civilization andheritage, to the majestic courtyards of Beiteddine, Fransabank was presentall through those international festivals sponsoring world-class art froma wealth of genres and heritage. All through those vivid events,Fransabank spread its magical spell and made its clients and invitees livethe moment and fly into a magical world, concretizing the Bank’s slogan“Tomorrow Starts Now”…

Fransabank Celebrates its Monumental 90 Years of Legacy andCommitment to Lebanon and its People!

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As solid as Baalbeck’s Ruins of Jupiter, and Temple of Bachus!

The Baalbeck International Festival, one of theoldest and most prestigious festivals in theMiddle East, is known for attracting theworld’s most renowned artists. This year, anenriched program was awaiting the festival’sfans who gather from Lebanon and abroad toenjoy the festival performances which startedwith the amazing concert of “Chico & theGipsies” to the biggest star of the Italian pop“Zucchero”, the diva of our time, “JessyeNorman”, the great voice of Tunisia “SaberRebaii” and the group of young men whorepresented a revelation on the localLebanese music scene “Mashrou Leila”.

With such a variety in the offering in theFestival’s evenings, Fransabank welcomed itsclients and staff at its stand for a sunset drink,under the majestic and remarkable ruins ofthe Jupiter temple, taking them in time andspace to every mankind’s land.

At the heart of Ballbeck International Festival 2012

Fransabank Stand

Fransabank’s summer excitement started with its Official Partnership with the Baalbeck InternationalFestival 2012. This partnership confirmed once again the Group’s commitment to preserving the belovedcountry’s history and legacy, and its strong belief in the fundamental role that cultural events play in thedevelopment of our society.

The Citizen Bank

A Night of Tarab with “Hamam Khairy” at the Beiteddine International Festival 2012

The Beiteddine International Festivalhas always been unique in offeringclassical music, dance, theatre,opera, jazz, and modern world music.In its magnificent 200-year old palacein the Chouf mountains, thisyear’s program included variousperformances including Caracalla,the Opera la Boheme, Hamam Khairyand Contemporary Dance with SteveGuillem & Russel Maliphant.

A cocktail reception followed the“Hamam Kairy” performance, in thecharming and majestic inner court-yard of which monumental gates andarcades created a joyful atmospherefilled with harmony and warmth. Thecocktail was catered by the renowned“Souk El Tayeb”, offering a selectionof typical home-made Lebanese foodand sweets from different regions ofLebanon. Creative “Regions” stationswere spread across the courtyardwhere people enjoyed side-by-sidewalks over the Lebanese territorytraditions in just few walking steps.Among those present wereFransabank General Management,clients and many key figures in thesocial and economic circles.

This enchanting event underlinesonce again Fransabank Group’scontinuous commitment, as an activecultural supporter, to our belovedcountry’s history and legacy! View from the event

Fransabank was also part of the Beiteddine International Festival 2012, being the sponsor ofthe “Hamam Kairy” event – the great new voice of Aleppo.

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A Smoke-Free and Fresh Workplace!

In accordance with governmental law no. 174, banning smoking inpublic places, Fransabank announced early June 2012 its full abidance bya Smoke-Free environment on all Fransabank’s premises.

were left to their desk owner’screativity for practical usage suchas plant vases or paper clips holders.

Customers were very receptive ofthe new policy which foundapplause and encouragement bymany. “I always thought thatnon-smoking at banks is part ofexcellence in customer service andrespecting clients,” commented aFransabank loyal customer. Headded: “I am pleased today thatFransabank paved the way for otherleading institutions in going in anenvironmental-friendly life stylethat benefits all stakeholders”.

“In less than two months, Ireduced my intake of cigarettes,”stated a Fransabank familymember. She explained: “At thestart, it was not easy to abide bythe Bank’s policy if it were notgiven the freedom to smoke duringregularly scheduled breaks ormeal periods and off-institutionpremises.” She added: “with time,my smoking habits declined to agreater extent.”

Since the implementation of theSmoke-Free environment policy atFransabank, the majority of peopleshowed a lot of enthusiasm to thisnew initiative, which preparedmany of the smoking addicts to thefull smoking ban in public spacesthat will be fully and strictlyimplemented in September 2012.

The Fransabank’s released policyapplies on all internal areas,including branches, departments,cafeteria, and parking spaces.Internal communications werereleased at Fransabank aiming tocreate awareness for a betterbusiness environment, improvingpeople’s health, and increasingcustomers’ and employees’satisfaction. Meetings were alsoheld to encourage employees’ fullengagement and endorsement ofthis policy, and its proper commu-nication to Fransabank’s clientele.These “one-to-one” discussionsand messages were supported bybold non-smoking signs placed indesignated smoke-free areas. Inaddition, ashtrays were removedfrom Fransabank’s premises or

The Citizen Bank

Awarding Excellence in Education

During their end-of-year celebrations, held last July 2012 at the BeirutBaptist School premises in Beirut, distinguished Beirut Baptist School –BBS students Abbas Maged, Karen Sweid and Rawan Saab were awardedthe “Fransabank Scholarship” for their outstanding academic perform-ance, in the presence of BBS management, students, parents andfriends, as well as representatives from Fransabank. By virtue of thisscholarship, the three awardees will be exempt from their full academictuition fees for the year 2012-2013.

the Lebanese population. To date,the Bank recorded severalachievements in the educationalfield. This is best illustrated, amongothers, by the signing in 2011 of acooperation agreement for an 11-year line of credit worth USD 28.5Million with the American Universityof Beirut. At the Educational Loanlevel, Fransabank has over LL 23Billion of loan portfolio as at endJune 2012 that were provided toaround 1,000 students in key uni-versities of Lebanon.

With a wide portfolio of educationaland insurance savings plans also,Fransabank complements its largearray of services to cater for thefinancial aspect of the youth’seducation, while they concentrateon the academic one.

Since sound education is the key tosocial and economic development,Fransabank Scholarship’ initiativefalls within the Group’s corporatesocial responsibility strategy andour commitment to providing bettereducation to the youth of Lebanon,to support building brightertomorrows for the country and itspeople, especially that young futureleaders like awardees will alwaysmake a difference in shaping suchpromising tomorrows.

It is worth noting that Fransabankhas always dedicated a large part ofits business to the development ofthe educational sector in Lebanon. Ithas been catering for the youtheducation be it at the school oruniversity levels by tailoring itsofferings to this major segment of

Elie Semaan - Head of Retail Products & Services - with awarded students

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Encouraging Entrepreneurship

In the same spirit, and always with the youth in mind,Fransabank participated last March in theEntrepreneurship Business Plan Competition 2012,

organized last March by AUB’s Business Student Society at the OlayanSchool of Business.

Mr. Antoine Zarifeh, Fransabank's Head of SMEs Department participatedin the jury this year, after a successful similar event held in 2011 at thesame venue.

Fransabank’s zeal to invest in the future of participants and building theentrepreneurship initiative in them was apparent from the very dynamicinteraction held between the Jury in general, Mr. Antoine Zarifeh inparticular and the parcticipants whose ideas spead hopes of very shiningtomorrows at the realm of a think tank institution.

Add Colors to Your Career!

Under the theme “Add Colors to Your Career”, Fransabank partici-pated at AUB, LAU and NDU job fairs held in May, where dynamicyoung men and women were attracted to the colorful, cheerful andinformative Fransabank booth prepared for the occasion.

attract, retain, and continuouslydevelop potential young candidatesto support its business grow andflourish, while enjoying a corporateculture and self-fulfilling careerexperience. It also falls under theBank’s incessant role of promotingeducation, and making it moreaccessible to a larger segment ofthe Lebanese youth.

Fransabank will participate inother upcoming job fairs in differentuniversities, confirming again itsstrategy to build a diverse andknowledgeable workplace thatrecognizes the talents, competenciesand skills that dedicated peoplebring to the business.

Numerous young people seekingsuitable employment or lookingforward to adding a twist to theirexisting careers visitedFransabank booth and inquiredabout the Bank’s internship pro-grams as well as potential jobopportunities.

Visitors were also exposed toFransabank’s various youth-relatedservices, mainly its exceptional“University Loan” that offersfinancing of University Education atvery preferential terms, thusfacilitating the youth’s journeytowards better tomorrows.

Fransabank’s participation in similaractivities embodies its drive to

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The Citizen Bank

Empowering Women for Successful Businesses and Better Societies

At Fransabank, women are considered a vital element in society’sdevelopment and prosperity. A woman should have the opportunity toachieve her full civic, social and professional rights and potential.

women and entrepreneurs. Itincreased the reach of MENAbusinesswomen by expanding theirnetworks, improving their skills andavailing new ones.

LLWB is an NGOwhose main mission

is to encourage women in businessto “Take the lead and succeed”.

It aims to bring together professionalwomen by providing them with aforum in which they can exchangeexperiences and expertise, discusscommon challenges and issues,provide specialized training throughvocational development programs,facilitate the exchange of information,network and prepare handouts,brochures, circulations and publi-cations for the purpose of pro-moting the potential of women inthe world of business.

With this in mind and followingseveral initiatives undertaken byFransabank to empower women,from providing the first-of-its kindNajah Loan to invest in Women’sBusiness initiatives to supportingvarious NGOs that cater for womenaffairs, such as the LebaneseLeague for Women in Business –LLWB that solicited Fransabank’ssupport to sponsor the participationof 10 Lebanese women at the MENABusiness Women’s Networ Forum,“Unleashing the Economic Potentialof Women in the MENA Region,”held last April in Dubai, UAE.

The Forumwhich drew over350 business-

women from 16 countries across theMiddle East and North Africa was aninteractive, dynamic platform forenhancing business cooperationand opportunity among business-

A Brave Bank for Brave Heart!

Brave Heart is a philanthropicinstitution that provides fundingfor surgery on infants born withcongenital heart problems.Fransabank’s role as a mainsponsor of this event made itpossible to raise funds to investin the health of young hearts. Anauction was also held at the dinner,increasing the sources of fundscollected during that evening.

Fransabank will always supportsuch humanitarian causes andwill always keep on lending ahelping hand to those kids to live aheart-healthy life.

Last April 2012, Fransabank joined hands for the second year as a Platinum sponsor of theBrave Heart Association’s fundraising gala dinner that was held at the PhoeniciaIntercontinental Hotel’s Grand Ballroom in the presence of a large crowd of Lebanon’s elite“hearts” who gathered to encourage Brave Heart to continue their valiant efforts andgrant children their most natural right in life: the right to live!

Fransabank ladies cheering for a better health!

Dania Kassar and Joumana Ghandour Atallah

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The Citizen Bank

For a Healthier Youth with Skoun

In line with its evolving corporate citizen role that caters for the youth ofLebanon, the founders of the country’s future, this year again, Fransabanksupported Skoun in its mission of advocating for the prevention of drugdependency and other addictions. It sponsored Skoun’s 6th annual galadinner hosted last May within the historical splendor Sursock PalaceGardens, where hundreds of well-heeled guests took part in the colorfulfestivities organized to support Skoun’s non-profit work.

Created in 2003, Skoun is a walk-in outpatient therapeutic facility in Lebanonthat offers prevention, awareness and psychological treatment, to drugusers and society at large, targeting occasional and regular drug usersmainly youth aged 15-25, drug users’ families, and all institutionsand individuals concerned by substance misuse.

Through its various activities, Skoun aspires to stop the social, physical, andpsychological degradation related to drug dependency and abuse. The aim isfor the drug user to recover and maintain a satisfying emotional equilibrium,psychological and physical health, socio-professional stability, and establisha sense of autonomy.

Fransabank supported this yearagain the humanitarian “Walkwith Al Younbouh”, an annualawareness and fund raising eventfor less privileged people withspecial needs, held last May at theFouad Chehab Stadium in Jounieh.

Volunteers committed to invest inour community’s well-being,planted seeds of hope in people’slives, and showed that they carewhen lending a helping hand andjoining less privileged people withspecial needs in Lebanon in theirwalk in their daily life.

This was Fransabank’s uniqueopportunity to cater for thosechildren and grant them thesimplest right in life: the right tolive. Fransabank believes thatstanding for the people, by thepeople, and with the people is theright thing to do. Its participationwith “Walk with Al Younbouh”portrays Fransabank Group’sdetermination to “Walk Now, for aBetter Today and a HealthierTomorrow!”

A Walk for Hope and Better Tomorrows!

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The Citizen Bank

In Support of Autism: “Get Through to Themby Seeing Things their Way!”

After the successful implementation of their “Understanding Autism is aStep 1 to Help me Take the Rest”, Fransabank sponsored again this yearthe event of the Autism Association for Social Integration- AASI. Thisyear’s topic on “Pivotal Response Treatment in Autism” by AntonioHardan, MD and Kari Berquist, PhD – Stanford University was held lastApril at the Bellevue Medical Center.

Fransabank’s commitment tochildren with autism translates itsbelief in the uniqueness of everyindividual and people’s potential toexcel and overpass difficultieswhen given the right chances in theright places, and the proper support.It also ascertains the importanceof social integration of all membersof the society to make a betterworld and more promisingtomorrows for the children ofLebanon and its people.

AASI is a non-profit organizationdedicated to celebrate and supporta special child’s place in the world,with a bel ief in embracingdifferences as well as advocating achild with autism’s right to socialintegration. AASI’s mission is toprovide understanding aboutautism to make the world a betterplace for everyone on the spectrum.

Within the frame of its commitment to the public sector, Fransabanksponsored last February “The Raid des Cèdres”, competition organizedby the Lebanese Army’s Rangers Regiment in Lebanon’s highestmountains.

Reaching High with the Lebanese Army’s “Raid des Cèdres”

A special program, full ofexcitement started by a climb tothe summit of Mount Sannine,“From the Cedars of Bcharre to theCedars of Tannourine: followed by anexploration of Mount Hermon, “Jabalel Cheikh” the next Sunday.Participants in this event indulgedin a breath-taking scenery andactivity at the heart of mothernature, while enjoying the synergybetween the people and the armymembers.

The Raid des Cèdres is one of thehighest ski-mountaineering com-petitions in Lebanon. Inspired fromthe Swiss Patrouille des Glaciers,It was organized by the LebaneseArmy in three high summitsLebanese mountains of Lebanon,namely Qornet Es-Sawda (3083m),Sannine, (2600m), and MontHermon (2840m). It gathered menand women from all around theworld, including civilians andmilitary categories.

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Our People, Our Assets

Fransabank Dragon Team “The Unbeatable Spirit”

With “The Unbeatable Spirit” motto, Fransabank’s Dragon Team of over60 participants took part in the Beirut Corporate Games 2012 where over34 of Lebanon’s leading institutions participated last April in two days ofincessant fun and challenge at the Club Sportif, Collège Notre Dame deJamhour.

2GoldMedals

1BronzeMedal

2SilverMedals

quiz and Sudoku, the cerebral oneswith games such as chess, the lazyones with backgammon, darts…whereas fun has the biggest sharewith games such as dodge ball,bag race, tug of war, 3 leggedrace…

Fransabank’s Dragon team fruit-fully won at the Beirut CorporateGames, bringing back with them 2Gold Medals, 2 Silver Medals and 1Bronze Medal, and showing thatteamwork and the Fransabankfamily spirit are the bases for utmostproductivity and performance.

Whether they played and won orlost the games, FransabankDragon team’s fair play andincredible spirit made theirparticipation a very enchantingone, and entertained theircolleagues who did not participate,but were also targeted in spreadingthe importance of teamwork inbusiness life.

Targeting the athlete, the gamer,the intellectual, or the player, theBeirut Corporate Games offered avariety of 38 competitions for menand women. The Beirut CorporateGames is not all about sports only.It carefully chooses the activity in away to reach every profile of acompany employee. It targets theathletes in games such asFootball, basketball, Ping Pong,athletics… the intellectuals via the

Fransabankc audience at the Mafi Metlo Show

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Our People, Our Assets

Fransabank’s Amicale has always provided Fransabank with variousexciting happenings. This year’s events were full of talent and each eventhas been unique in a different aspect.

An Amicable Life at Fransabank

education. The “Mafi Metlo” showwas a great occasion to gatherFransabank family members withtheir families in an amusingatmosphere whereby young menand women are educated andmore aware on the importance ofproviding safer roads for lives forour society, with a goal to decreasecar accidents.

Fransabank’s Amicale objectivesare to bring Fransabank’s familycloser together. As always, manyparticipants are eager to attendand look forward to any upcomingevents. This September, Amicalepleasantly confirms its trip toGreek and Turkish islands for 8entertaining and relaxing days.Stay tuned to our next issue of FBAngle to learn more about our lifeat Fransabank!

Fransabank family started theiryear with a good laugh, wheremany of them made it to JoeKodeih’s standup comedy “FilmCinema” which carries at the sametime comical and satirical tone, ina Cinema retrospective of Beirutscenery and happenings. Jersa,represented by one-man showRafic Ali Ahmad was also anothergreat success where many ofFransabank people spent anotherevening to chill out in a relaxingatmosphere!

Further to the series of eventfulhappenings, and in remembranceof young beloved Talal Kassem, theFransabank Amicale in collabora-tion with Roads for Life Associationheld a special “Mafi Metlo” show,the proceeds of which help financehospitals and doctors’ post-accident

Lebanon • France • Algeria • Syria • Belarus • Cyprus • Sudan • Libya

www.fransabank.com

FBG/FBLB

/FBAN

GLE

6/1.0/2012-08


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