Banque Libano-Française S.A.L.

Banque libano-française (BLF) is a Lebanese bank holding number 10 on Banque du Liban List of Banks. It was established as a joint stock company in 1967. Its head office is located at the Beirut Liberty Plaza Building, Hamra District, Beirut, Lebanon. It is one of the leading banks in Lebanon and an important participant in the Lebanese economy.

Banque libano-française S.A.L
TypePublic
IndustryBanking
FoundedBeirut, Lebanon (1967 (1967))
HeadquartersLiberty Plaza building, Rome Street,
Beirut
,
Lebanon
Area served
Number of employees
1,182+
ParentBanque Libano-Française
Websitewww.eblf.com

As at end of November 2020, BLF operates in Lebanon through a network of 60 branches, 2 e-branches and 191 ATMs. Abroad, BLF Group is present in France and Cyprus (Banque SBA), in Switzerland (LF Finance Suisse), in the United Arab Emirates (a representative office in Abu Dhabi), in Nigeria (a representative office in Lagos), and in Iraq (a branch in Baghdad). It has 1,272 employees, including 1,182 persons employed in Lebanon.

It is also available through several digital channels, namely the My BLF mobile apps.

While it has historically been a commercial bank, the Bank has diversified its activities and currently provides banking services in five principal areas: commercial banking, investment banking, retail banking, private banking, treasury and capital markets and correspondent banking.

BLF is also an active member of the Association of Banks in Lebanon.[1]

History
  • Banque Libano-Française (BLF) was created in 1930 as a branch of the French bank, Compagnie Algérienne.
  • In 1967, BLF became a bank established under the Lebanese law, with 70% French shareholding.
  • In 1970, Banque Indosuez acquired a 5% direct interest in the Bank capital.
  • In 1973, Banque Indosuez increased its stake to 20% through a partial acquisition of the shares of Compagnie Française de Crédit et de Banque (former Compagnie Algérienne de Crédit et de Banque), which became known as Parthena Investment.
  • In 1992, Banque Indosuez increased its shareholding in Banque Libano-Française to 51%.
  • In 1999, BLF acquired 100% of Crédit Agricole Indosuez Liban (CAIL), a financial institution specialized in securities brokerage and portfolio management.
  • In 2004, Crédit Agricole Group decided to reduce its exposure in Lebanon, in anticipation of the implementation of Basle II. Therefore, Calyon (former Crédit Agricole Indosuez) reduced its participation in the Bank to 9%.
  • In 2006, BLF finalized the acquisition of 78.3% of Banque SBA shares, established in France (Paris) with a financial subsidiary in Geneva known as LF Finance (Switzerland) SA and a branch in Cyprus (Limassol).
  • In 2009, BLF obtained an official license from the UAE Central Bank to establish a Representative Office in Abu Dhabi.
  • In 2012, the Bank reinforced its operations in the MENA region by opening a Representative Office in Lagos, Nigeria and a branch in Baghdad, Iraq.
  • On September 1, 2014, Farid Raphaël, founder of Banque Libano-Française and its Chairman General Manager from 1979, passed away.[2]
  • On September 15, 2014, Walid Raphaël was elected by the Board of Directors as Chairman General Manager of the Bank.
  • In 2015, the Bank teamed up with Allianz SNA to launch 5 new non-life insurance plans to help protect its clients against various risks.
  • In January 2016, BLF launched the international architecture competition to build its new headquarters.
  • In July 2016, it announced Norwegian-American studio Snøhetta as the winner of the competition, selected by the International Jury.
  • In 2017, the Bank expanded its local network to 58 branches and more than 172 ATMs.
  • In 2018, BLF opened two new branches in Kfarhbab and Tyre-Hoche, bringing the number of its local branches to 60.
  • In 2019, BLF continued to implement the Bank's digital strategy with the opening of another e-branch in Badaro, the launch of "My LTBY" application for the youth, and the enhancement of "My BLF" features. In the last quarter of 2019, the Bank had to cope with the socio-economic crisis that hit Lebanon, keeping customers and employees an utmost priority.

Board of directors
  • Walid Raphaël (Chairman)
  • Elie Nahas (Group Chairman

Capital and financial figures

BLF capital is LBP 265 billion.

As at December 2019, BLF's total assets amounted to USD 12,721 million, and its net profit scored USD 71 million.

References

[3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] [17] [18] [19] [20] [21] [22] [23] [24] [25] [26] [27] [28] [29] [30] [31] [32] [33] [34] [35] [36] [37] [38] [39] [40] [41]

  1. "Active Members, ABL - Association of Banks in Lebanon". Abl.org.lb. Retrieved 2016-12-06.
  2. "Farid Raphaël passes away More than 50 years of experience and leadership". Businessnews.com.lb. 2014-09-02. Retrieved 2016-12-06.
  3. "Active Members, ABL - Association of Banks in Lebanon". Abl.org.lb. Retrieved 2016-12-06.
  4. "Farid Raphaël passes away More than 50 years of experience and leadership". Businessnews.com.lb. 2014-09-02. Retrieved 2016-12-06.
  5. "Banque Libano-Française. Engagement pour les grandes causes". Magazine.com.lb. Retrieved 2016-12-06.
  6. "IFC in Lebanon". Ifc.org. Retrieved 2016-12-06.
  7. "SR Project - ISO 26000 MENA Project |". Libnor.gov.l;b. Retrieved 2016-12-06.
  8. "Letter regarding ten principles of Global Compact" (PDF). Unglobalcompact.org. Retrieved 2016-12-06.
  9. "GCNL – Global Compact Network Lebanon". Aub.edu.lb. 2014-06-20. Retrieved 2016-12-06.
  10. "Banque Libano-Française and Allianz SNA launch new insurance plans to make clients' life easier and protect them against the unexpected;". abl.org.lb. Retrieved 2015-08-24.
  11. "BLF, Allianz SNA plans;". pressreader.com. Retrieved 2015-09-01.
  12. "La BLF et Allianz SNA lancent de nouveaux plans d'assurances;". lorientlejour.com. Retrieved 2015-09-02.
  13. "Launching of BLF - Allianz SNA launch new insurance plans;". beiruting.com. Retrieved 2015-09-02.
  14. "BLF selects Norwegian-American architecture studio Snøhetta to build its new headquarters following a rigorous international competition;". abl.org.lb. Retrieved 2016-08-08.
  15. "snøhetta's vision for BLF tower in beirut wins competition;". designboom.com. Retrieved 2016-08-09.
  16. "Snøhetta designs Beirut bank featuring chequerboard walls and rooftop gardens;". dezeen.com. Retrieved 2016-08-09.
  17. "Snøhetta stacks up for BLF;". worldarchitecturenews.com. Retrieved 2016-08-09.
  18. "Snøhetta Wins Competition to Build Its First Structure in Lebanon;". architecturaldigest.com. Retrieved 2016-08-09.
  19. "SNØHETTA TO DESIGN BANQUE LIBANO FRANCAISE'S NEW HEADQUARTERS;". designcurial.com. Retrieved 2016-08-09.
  20. "Snøhetta unveils their design for Beirut tower after triumphing in competition;". archpaper.com. Retrieved 2016-08-11.
  21. "Snohetta Chosen to Design BLF Headquarters in Beirut;". contractdesign.com. Retrieved 2016-08-10.
  22. "La Banque libano-française s'offre un nouveau siège à Mar Mikhaël;". lecommercedulevant.com. Retrieved 2016-08-10.
  23. "First look at Snøhetta's winning "Magic Box" concept for Banque Libano Francaise;". bustler.net. Retrieved 2016-08-10.
  24. "Le nouveau siège de la BLF : une approche écologique et des espaces publics ouverts à la communauté de Mar Mikhaël;". agendaculturel.com. Retrieved 2017-11-20.
  25. "Banque Libano-Française Opens Iraqi Branch;". iraq-businessnews.com. Retrieved 2013-02-14.
  26. "Lebanese Bank opens office in Abu Dhabi;". thefreelibrary.com. Retrieved 2010-02-17.
  27. "Walid Raphaël élu PDG de la BLF;". lecommercedulevant.com. Retrieved 2014-09-25.
  28. "Walid Raphaël élu PDG de la Banque libano-française;". lorientlejour.com. Retrieved 2014-09-25.
  29. "Walid Raphaël élu PDG de la BLF;" (PDF). ccib.org.lb. Retrieved 2014-11-01.
  30. "Raya Raphaël Nahas, New Chair of the Promote Committee;". lifelebanon.com. Retrieved 2015-11-03.
  31. "Banque Libano-Française Now Open in Kaslik;". zawya.com. Retrieved 2018-03-13.
  32. "Farid Raphaël passes away;". businessnews.com.lb. Retrieved 2014-09-02.
  33. "Farid Raphael (1933-2014): A Unique Man;". abl.org.lb. Retrieved 2014-09-01.
  34. "BLF opens two new branches in Kfarhbab and Tyre Hoche;". executive-bulletin.com. Retrieved 2019-02-22.
  35. "Banque Libano-Française enhances its Presence in Keserwan and South Lebanon;". www.zawya.com. Retrieved 2019-02-21.
  36. "Banque Libano-Française Taking CSR Commitment To A New Level;". www.csrlebanon.com. Retrieved 2019-07-03.
  37. "Banque Libano-Francaise Sets An Example By Making The Most Of Corporate Social Responsibility;". www.csrlebanon.com. Retrieved 2019-02-02.
  38. "Le nouveau siège de la BLF : une approche écologique et des espaces publics ouverts à la communauté de Mar Mikhaël;". www.agendaculturel.com. Retrieved 2017-11-20.
  39. "CSR is an integral part of BLF's values;". www.aljoumhouria.com. Retrieved 2018-10-25.
  40. "Banque Libano-Française: croissance maitrisée et liquidité élevée;" (PDF). www.lorientlejour.com. Retrieved 2019-07-31.
  41. "Banque Libano-Française. Engagement pour les grandes causes;". www.magazine.com.lb. Retrieved 2016-03-25.
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