The new year opens a new chapter of success for BankMed; which has embarked on a solid and clear path to solidify its position at home and expand its presence abroad, as good growth opportunities present themselves. As one of the top ten banks in Lebanon, the Bank now stands on a solid platform and looks forward to growing further, by capitalizing on what it does best: provide the most optimal banking services to its broad range of customers.
BankMed continues to be the market leader in corporate banking, and today we provide funding to a large majority of the top corporate groups in Lebanon. Yet, over the past four years we have focused concertedly on expanding and strengthening our Retail and Investment banking businesses. Our recent emergence as a market-leader in treasury and investment products was recognized when BankMed was awarded the Best Investment Bank Award for 2009 by Global Finance magazine. Our brokerage arm has grown into one of the most active players in the Lebanese market - offering customers a strong variety of innovative tailor-made and off-the-shelf investment products - at a time when most financial markets around the globe suffered major losses.
Our substantial growth momentum in the consumer business line in recent years has been sustained by continuously developing new products and services to meet the dynamics of market conditions and customer needs. BankMed’s proactive approach to attracting clients, its dynamic market presence and close monitoring of customer satisfaction; have all helped BankMed significantly improve the delivery and quality of its services across all channels. Public perception and recognition of BankMed’s retail image has been heightened by the successful “Smile Campaign” while the extension of our services beyond the geographical reach of our branch network through BankMed’s comprehensive e-banking service-MedOnline- was undertaken to make our customers’ banking experience both more convenient and more efficient.
Launched in early 2009, BankMed’s environmental campaign - the “Happy Plant Project” -has been extended for another year owing to BankMed’s conviction to preserving Lebanon’s spectacular natural heritage. This steadfast commitment to upholding our corporate social responsibilities has, thankfully, been reinforced by some great positive feedback from customers, stakeholders and the general public. The initiative encompasses an ongoing and widespread advertising campaign to raise public awareness of environmental issues, and is supported by the implementation of in-house eco-friendly practices as part of the Bank’s daily operations; most notably the carbon-reduction project at our head office, a first step towards reaching our goal to become the first bank in Lebanon to be certified as Carbon Neutral. For our customers, BankMed has introduced special banking products to promote eco-friendly projects in line with directives set out by the Governor of Lebanon’s Central Bank.
BankMed’s participation in and/or sponsorship of conservation projects in partnership with government departments, NGOs and educational institutions to address specific environmental challenges facing Lebanon; allows us to extend our commitment to conserving the environment beyond the physical reach of BankMed’s branches and headquarters. In August 2009 a 400-member team of BankMed staff and volunteers from Cedars for Care, a local environmental NGO, undertook a massive clean-up of the Remeileh seashore on the country’s southern coast. 1,000 cedar trees - Lebanon’s national symbol - will be planted on behalf of the Bank through a reforestation initiative currently underway at the Barouk and Al Arz nature reserves. Additionally, specialized tree plantations are taking place in areas throughout Lebanon in collaboration with the American University of Beirut. Under this initiative, BankMed pledges to plant a tree for every square kilometre comprising the Lebanese territory. Thus, by the time our program is completed we will have planted 10,452 trees across the country.
In 2009 we completed the upgrade and revamp of several of our branches, both functionally and aesthetically, to create a more opportune banking experience and uplift the BankMed image. Today, customers can apply for universal services at any of our conveniently located branches, which are expected to number 50 by the end of 2009. As a growing regional player, we hold ourselves to the highest international standards of best-practice and seek to constantly invest in innovation, while utilizing the latest technology to furnish the banking needs of an increasingly mobile and globalized customer-base. BankMed firmly believes that customer satisfaction is fundamental to our long-term success; and is one of the fundamental principles guiding our daily operations as BankMed strives to be A Bank for All kinds of customers - no matter how large or small their financial service needs are.
Throughout 2009 Lebanon has surpassed expectations regarding its economic progress. For BankMed, the progress that was achieved within this positive environment is a signal to us that we are indeed on the right track. We look forward to the year ahead with optimism, and wish all our valued customers and clients a prosperous and peaceful new year.
Mohammed Hariri
Chairman - General Manager