Historical Milestones, Group Profile

The Group Historical Milestones Financials Compliance Major Correspondent Banks

Call or Subscribe to our
Call Center on:

+961 1 734 000 or 1552

Historical Milestones

1921
1963
1971
1978
1980
1984
1985
1993
1995
1997
1998
1999
2001
2002
2003
2005
2006
2007
2008
2012
2014
2015
2018

1921

Fransabank was first established in Beirut as a full branch of one of the major French banks then, Crédit Foncier d’Algérie et de Tunisie (C.F.A.T.).

Fransabank is registered n° 1 on the list of banks operating in Lebanon.

1963
C.F.A.T. changed its name to Société Centrale de Banque.

1971

Société Centrale de Banque in Beirut was acquired by Banque Française pour le Moyen-Orient SAL (B.F.M.O.), a Lebanese company whose shares were predominantly owned by Banque Indosuez Group.

1978

Banque Indosuez was also the major shareholder of Banque Sabbag SAL. Banque Indosuez merged these two banks under the name of Banque Sabbag et Française pour le Moyen-Orient SAL.

1980

Banque Indosuez sold its shares in Banque Sabbag et Française pour le Moyen-Orient SAL to a financial group headed by Messrs. Adnan & Adel Kassar.

1984

The Bank's denomination was changed to Fransabank SAL.

Fransabank concluded a cooperation agreement with Crédit Agricole SA – France. It led at first to the joint creation in Paris of Fransabank (France) SA, and to the participation of Crédit Agricole SA - France in the shareholding of Fransabank SAL. In line with its global strategy, Crédit Agricole SA exited from Fransabank (France) SA in 2007 and from Fransabank SAL shareholding in 2012.

1985

Fransabank acquired the Assets & Liabilities of Chase Manhattan Bank's branches in Beirut.

1993
Fransabank acquired Banque Tohmé SAL.

1995

Fransabank concluded an agreement with Deutsche Investitions - und Entwicklungsgesellschaft mbH (DEG), which led to the acquisition by DEG of 5% of the Bank’s share capital.

Fransabank established the Lebanese Leasing Company SAL.

1997

A private placement of shares took place, pursuant to which 5% of the Bank's shares were sold to Lebanese, Arab and foreign investors.

The Public Institution for Social Security – Kuwait acquired 2% of the Bank's share capital.

1998
Fransabank acquired Universal Bank SAL.

1999

Fransabank established its insurance arm through its associated Company, Bancassurance SAL.

2001

Fransa Invest Bank (FIB), investment banking subsidiary of Fransabank started its operations.

2002
Fransabank acquired United Bank of Saudi & Lebanon SAL.

2003

Fransabank acquired all the shares of Banque de la Békaa SAL, which was sold as an empty shell in 2007.

2005
Fransabank acquired 37.067% in BBAC SAL.

2006

Fransabank is the first and only Lebanese Bank to enter the Algerian market with the opening of its subsidiary Fransabank El Djazaïr SPA.

Fransabank launched its operations in Sudan through an associate bank, United Capital Bank.

2007

Fransabank acquired BLC Bank SAL along with its two subsidiaries, BLC Services SAL and BLC Finance SAL.

Fransabank concurrently purchased 34% of the share capital of Fransabank (France) SA held by Crédit Agricole SA and sold 40% of the share capital of Fransabank (France) SA to Financière Océor, a subsidiary of Groupe Caisse d’Epargne (France) - currently BPCE. At present, Fransabank share in Fransabank (France) SA is 79.21%

2008

Fransabank acquired Fransabank OJSC, formerly known as Golden Taler Bank.

2012
BLC Bank opened its representative office in Abu Dhabi.

2014

Fransabank inaugurated its two new branches in Baghdad and in Erbil – Kurdistan, Iraq

Fransabank acquired and merged Ahli International Bank SAL

2015

Fransabank established a representative office in Abidjan - Ivory Coast.

2018

Fransabank launched Green Bonds exclusively dedicated to finance green energy projects.

Fransabank Joined as a founding member of the China – Arab Countries Interbank Association.

+ -

Group Profile

Historical Milestones

follow us on

join our mailing list