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AHLI UNITED BANK WINS “BEST BANK IN THE MIDDLE EAST” AWARD FOR SECOND CONSECUTIVE YEAR

AHLI UNITED BANK WINS “BEST BANK IN THE MIDDLE EAST” AWARD FOR SECOND CONSECUTIVE YEAR

Ahli United Bank (AUB), one of the region’s leading banks, has been awarded ‘Best Bank in the Middle East 2007’ by the reputed magazine, Global Finance for the second year in a row, an honour achieved by very few other banks.

Global Finance, a prestigious New York based international magazine, selects the top performers in the Gulf region and in 24 other countries after a study of banks across the region. Industry analysts, banking professionals and consultants assist the jury to select the winners based on factors such as growth in assets, profitability, strategic initiatives, customer service, competitive pricing, and innovative products.

“We are proud to have won this award for a second consecutive year. Winning the award again demonstrates the continuing success of our business strategies and the soundness of our management principles,” said Fahad Al-Rajaan, Chairman, Ahli United Bank.

“Over the past year, we have continued to perform exceedingly well, expanding further in the region and consolidating our businesses in the different countries,” he added.

In 2006, AUB together with its associate banks and other Gulf financial institutions acquired an 89% stake in Delta International Bank, Egypt, marking the Group’s foray into this rapidly developing country. In the same year, AUB signed a US$ 1.2 billion syndicated deposit facility that was heavily oversubscribed and had the participation of 51 banks from across the Globe. The syndicated deposit facility was a reflection of the confidence that the industry had on AUB’s strategic direction. Also in 2006, AUB signed a US$ 200 million finance agreement with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), an arm of the World Bank, finalising what was the largest such investment done by the IFC in the region to date.

AUB achieved record results in 2006 with net profits rising 25% to US$ 207.5 million and net assets rising 49% to US$ 20.8 billion.

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AHLI UNITED BANK WINS SHAIKHA SABEEKA AWARD FOR WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT

AHLI UNITED BANK WINS SHAIKHA SABEEKA AWARD FOR WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT

Ahli United Bank B.S.C. (AUB) has won the Shaikha Sabeeka Award for Bahraini Women’s Empowerment. The announcement was made by HH Shaika Sabeeka Bint Ibrahim Al-Khalifa at a ceremony held at the Supreme Council, Riffa. AUB won the award in the private sector category ahead of 8 other private sector institutions.

Neville Pearsall, Group Head of Human Resources, AUB said, “It is an honour for AUB to win an award of this nature. Over 35% of the bank’s staff are women and an increasing number are being promoted into professional and managerial key, decision making positions. At AUB we operate on a system of meritocracy whereby competent staff are rewarded and recognised for their achievements irrespective of their gender. Part of that recognition involves providing our staff with opportunities to develop and fulfil their career potential, and this applies equally to men and women. This is an essential requirement if we are to empower all our employees to do the very best they can, every day – which is what is required in a dynamic, growing business such as AUB.”

Faiza Saeed, Training and Development Manager, AUB urged other private sector organisations to follow suit and strengthen women’s empowerment and participation in the workplace. “At AUB, we strongly believe in the importance of equality between men and women. We have a long-established policy of fully opening the educational and advancement doors for all to reach their maximum career potential and to take on the positions that they deserve. It is indeed gratifying to see our efforts rewarded by this first of its kind award in Bahrain and the Arab world.”

The Shaikha Sabeeka Award for Bahraini Women’s Empowerment, is dedicated to celebrating and recognising the role of women in the workplace and in society as a whole. A panel of distinguished Bahraini and Arab personalities selected the winners from amongst thirty Bahraini organisations participating in this year’s programme.

AUB was provided with a cash prize of BD 10,000 and a certificate signed by HH Shaikha Sabika. AUB will use the cash award to further the objectives of the prize in raising awareness of the importance of women’s roles in the workplace and enhancing gender equality in the Bahraini society as a whole.