Burgan Bank Group wins 'Best Banking Group in MENA' award for second consecutive year

The award comes in recognition of Burgan Bank Group's performance in 2012 and the consistent delivery of sound results across its operations in Kuwait, Jordan, Algeria, Iraq, Turkey, Tunis, Cyprus and Lebanon.

Mr. Majed Essa Al Ajeel, Chairman of Burgan Bank Group, said, "We are very pleased to become recognized as the 'Best Banking Group in the MENA' for the second year running. This particular award reflects the group's overall strong performance, and the continuous efforts exerted to introduce region wide integrated banking services to an extensive range of individuals as well as corporate customers."

"Despite a number of macroeconomic challenges in 2012, Burgan Bank Group's performance was rewarding on many fronts. The expansion Journey that has started in 2008 is now paying-off and we are currently present in 9 countries with a branch network of 217 branches and over 245 ATMs," added Mr. Al Ajeel.

Through its acquired subsidiary in Turkey, the group's Burgan Bank-Turkey, which enjoys a solid network of 61 branches, allows it to benefit from the Turkish market's advanced banking sector.

Burgan Bank -Turkey offers broad banking services to Corporate, SME, private and retail clients, and is backed by a clear-cut strategy that focuses on the upside geo-economic growth potential Turkey provides, along with the benefits of the group's wider synergies in regional markets.

Jordan Kuwait Bank (JKB) enjoys a footprint across Cyprus (One branch) & Palestine (two branches), and is represented across the Jordanian kingdom through a vast network of 53 branches. The bank offers an extensive array of integrated banking services that accommodate clients' and range from traditional retail banking to private banking and treasury services along with business banking services.

These include cards, loans, capital products and investment services, commercial services, corporate financing, as well as credit facilities for major corporate banking activities.

With 33 branches, Gulf Bank Algeria (AGB) is engaged in providing conventional as well as Islamic banking services to businesses as well as individuals that include e-banking, real estate loans, foreign trading, and corporate banking loans along with a broad offering in retail banking services.

The group's Bank of Baghdad (BoB), which has expanded its presence to Lebanon in 2010, allowed more international business flow between Lebanon and the Middle East to ultimately forge stronger commercial links with Iraq. The bank operates through 39 branches in Iraq, and is considered one of the largest private commercial banks in Iraq. It offers personal, corporate, and international banking services that include deposits, loans, electronic banking, commercial loans, term deposits, internal and external transfers, overdraft facilities, in addition to superior multinational investment options.

In Tunisia, Burgan Bank Group, through Tunis International Bank (TIB), provides a comprehensive range of international financial services for corporations, financial institutions, individuals and Public Sector in Tunisia and abroad through 3 branches. It is further engaged in mega lending activities within major business sectors.

Burgan Bank Group's expansion strategy is aimed at building and acquiring scale, capabilities as well as footprint. The group's international reach provides a seamless and an integrated experience for customers as well as businesses to manage their financial needs within a regional diversified financial institution.

Burgan Bank Group continues to develop a strong regional banking franchise to provide customers with sound financial solutions across a network of subsidiaries in the MENA region & Turkey.