AHLI UNITED BANK NAMED ‘BANK OF THE YEAR BAHRAIN 2008’ BY THE BANKER MAGAZINE

AUB wins prestigious award for the third consecutive year

Ahli United Bank B.S.C. (AUB), one of the region’s leading banking institutions, has been named ‘Bank of the Year – Bahrain’ for 2008 by The Banker magazine, a widely respected publication and part of the UK’s Financial Times Group, for the third consecutive year.

The Banker’s editorial team assesses banks on overall performance in the previous financial period incorporating performance criteria, qualitative achievements and strategic objectives.

“AUB is extremely pleased to accept the ‘Bank of the Year- Bahrain’ award for the third consecutive year and for the fifth time overall. It is especially significant to receive this accolade at a time when the market is undergoing rapid changes and investors are looking for financial institutions that can offer stability and consistency; the award underlines our steady growth and sound management principles,” said Fahad Al- Rajaan, Chairman, AUB.

Panelists for The Banker magazine judged AUB’s strong financial performance and strategic vision as reasons for securing the ‘Bank of the Year- Bahrain 2008’ award.

This latest Banker’s award marks the fifth major accolade AUB received in 2008. Earlier this year, New York – based Global Finance accorded AUB the “Best Bank in the Middle East” award for the third consecutive year. AUB also received the “Best Bank in Bahrain” award from Euromoney and was the first ever recipient of AsiaMoney’s ‘Best Commercial Bank in Bahrain’ award during the year. Global Finance also named AUB the “Best Foreign Exchange Bank in the Middle East 2008”.