The Bank that played a major role in the reconstruction of Lebanon, after a
devastating civil war, has always been the Bank of choice for corporate and
commercial banking. BankMed’s list of clients boasts the top names
throughout the country and across industries. For instance, it provides
banking services to around 90% of the top Lebanese groups. In addition, and
in an effort to diversify its income sources, the Bank is boosting its
emphasis on the small and middle markets segments (SME), and to that
purpose, two dedicated teams have been established to focus solely on these
increasingly important segments of the Lebanese economy.

Indeed, given the importance of the SME sector to BankMed, an agreement was
signed with the European Investment Bank (EIB) in December 2007 in order to
secure long-term financing in favor of the SME customers of BankMed. This
shows the strong commitment that EIB and other agencies have to Lebanon in
general and to BankMed in particular. Other long term funding agreements
for BankMed are under discussion with one or more regional counterparties
and are expected to be closed in 2008.

BankMed provides clients with solutions covering their entire balance
sheet, ranging from day-to-day banking transactions to more complex needs
such as equity financing, structured finance, trade finance, correspondent
banking, securities services, and employees’ solutions. Its large spectrum
of skills and expertise allows the flexibility needed to respond to the
ever-changing needs of its corporate clients. BankMed has defied very
difficult political and economic circumstances in 2007 and has grown both
its book and list of corporate customers in all different segments.

BankMed explored in great depth the numerous opportunities available in the
international and regional primary debt capital market and took part in a
number of transactions involving Islamic sukuks and international
syndicated loans. This includes the participation in a high profile
multi-billion US dollar international loan syndication for a large player
in the regional telecom industry. Participation in other syndications has
been done for the same company in the prior year and for which BankMed and
other arrangers of the transaction have obtained in 2007 EUROMONEY’S 2006
European Telecom Project Finance Deal of the Year.

Despite the prevailing challenging situation in Lebanon, BankMed was able
to widen the scope of credit facilities availed by its large network of
correspondents worldwide, in order to support the Bank's various activities
as well as the expanding business of its clientele overseas.

BankMed will continue to assign great importance to its corporate lending
business, be it the large corporate segment or the SME market. The Bank is
committed to a continued involvement in both the development and the growth
of the Lebanese private sector and intends to enhance further its role as a
conduit to foreign investment into the country. In addition, BankMed plans
to extend its corporate finance services regionally to new lucrative
markets, in line with its geographical expansion.