Bank of Beirut launches its bank in Sydney under the name of "Beirut Hellenic Bank" after buying 85 % of “LAIKI" bank 23/3/2011 Sydney- M.E. Times Intl: The "Beirut Hellenic Bank" held a cocktail party on the occasion of the launch of its bank on Monday, March 21 in Sydney. The Ceremony was attended by prominent political, economic, social, religious, business and media personalities led by Bank Beirut's President of the Board of Directors, Salim Sfeir and his two deputies Najib Semaan and Fouad Shaker, The Chairman of the Board of Directors of LAIKI Bank Nick Pappas, in addition to Greg Gav, Nick Hatzistergos and the Executive Director of "Beirut Hellenic Bank" in Australia, James Wakim. The ceremony was attended also by Lebanon's Ambassador to Australia Dr. Jean Daniel and his wife, Mireille. Many speeches were delivered during the ceremony, and all of them commended the Bank of Beirut's move concerning its bank opening in Australia, also praised the morality of the Bank's Chairman Salim Sfeir and the Executive Director in Australia, James Wakim. Daniel Once again the Lebanese demonstrates that there are no limits to their ambitions, and the best proof of this is the opening of Beirut Hellenic Bank in Australia. This is the first time that a Lebanese bank heads to the Australian continent, in an investment beyond U.S. $ 420 million considered for the time the largest investment undertaken by a Lebanese Foundation in Australia. Here, I would like to reiterate what Mr. Salim Sfeir, the president of the Governing Council Director-General of the Bank of Beirut, was saying: "The Bank of Beirut in Australia will be the Lebanese banking sector's Embassy". In fact, the banking sector is the most beautiful face of Lebanon abroad, especially in the country of expatriation beside the cultural side of course. This sector is a pride for the Lebanese to show off. Mr. Joseph Tarabay, president of the Lebanese Banks Association commended this step, saying: "The arrival of The "Bank of Beirut" to the Australian continent and the acquisition of one of its banks is a milestone in the biography of the Lebanese banking sector that is welcomed by the international markets." The banking sector in Lebanon has succeeded in remaining safe from the global financial crisis and has gone beyond the internal conflicts' negative aspects translated by its firm survival during the period of political and economic crises. In my opinion, the solidity of the financial system is due to Lebanese laws and regulations that have been developed for this purpose and to the prudent management of the Bank of Lebanon's Governor, Mr. Riad Salameh. In addition, the confidence in the Bank of Beirut's board under the chairmanship of Director General, Mr. Salim Sfeir has prompted the Australian authorities to grant Bank of Beirut the acquisition of Laiki Bank, which now carries the name of "Beirut Hellenic Bank". The choice of Mr. James Wakim to be the Bank Chief Executive is a sure guarantee for the success and progress of the Bank and thus for Mr. Wakim world wide experience in the banking sector. Wakim Thank you for being with us tonight to celebrate this momentous and historic occasion, the visit of Bank of Beirut Chairman Mr Salim Sfeir to mark the arrival of Bank of Beirut onto the shores of Australia, through its locally licensed subsidiary, Laiki Bank which will soon to be known as Beirut Hellenic Bank. Bank of Beirut led by its Chairman and General Manager, Mr Salim Sfeir together with the Bank of Beirut Board of Directors now fulfils the desire and dream of tens of thousands of Australian Lebanese. I now take a moment to tell you a little about Mr. Salim Sfeir, an outstanding Lebanese citizen who has a great love for his country. He is a visionary banker and a pioneer who has built a leadership team in Bank of Beirut that is second to none and an institution that is now a leader in its industry in Lebanon. He is a man who works tirelessly to achieve his goals and at the same time a caring and compassionate man with a big heart. Without you Mr Sfeir we would not be standing here tonight celebrating the entry of Bank of Beirut to Australia. On behalf of all the Lebanese in Australia, we thank you. The Australian Lebanese and Hellenic diaspora, through your commitment, will now have a financial institution that is strong, dynamic and committed. Beirut Hellenic Bank will be the bridge between Australia and our countries of origin. We will respect and embrace the culture and values of our customers and the communities that we serve through the provision of outstanding service delivery. I am very proud and honoured to be entrusted to lead Beirut Hellenic Bank and to work with an esteemed Board of Directors led by our local Chairman Mr Nicholas Pappas whom many of you know and respect. Nicholas and our Board have been exemplary in their support and guidance. To my colleagues and friends from Bank of Beirut Mr Najib Semaan and Mr Fouad Chaker who travelled from Lebanon with Mr Sfeir to be with us tonight and who shared in his Vision, my thanks. I know that Najib and Fouad maintained an unwavering commitment to turn this dream into the reality that it is today. I wish to also acknowledge the hard work and professionalism of Mr Elias Alouf who is unfortunately not with us tonight. Elias’ role in professionally addressing all the regulatory and stakeholder requirements cannot be underestimated. Thank you also to Mr John Azarias and the people at the accounting firm Deloittes, for the local professional advice provided. I wish to also acknowledge and thank all the leadership team at Bank of Beirut for their support and guidance. Please allow me to also acknowledge my staff and especially those with us here tonight for working around the clock to make this evening such a successful event. You are a great team. I am very proud to work with you. Sfeir The Chairman of the Board of Directors of Bank of Beirut, Salim Sfeir said: "from Lebanon we came... to Lebanon". We come to you, with a proud bank that bears the name of the country's eternal capital, everlasting and greatest city, Beirut, opening its arms to hold you as a yearning to loved ones. It is not the first step for the Bank of Beirut, since it raised the flag of Beirut in Cyprus, Oman, London, Frankfurt, Iraq, Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates and now it is setting foot on Australian territory. A young Bank was launched in 1993, with a capital of four million dollars, today it became a strong bank with capital of one billion dollars. It began with five branches and here is today spreading across 65 branches. How I can't thank in this meeting, first the Lebanese community in Australia, which motivated me to come here and second, the Australian regulatory authorities, which facilitated our acquisition of "LAIKI" Bank? And I do not forget the positive interaction of the "LAIKI" members of the Board of Directors who dealt with us with full honesty and transparency, not to mention the staff who provide ways to success through their solidarity and commitment. " In this case, a bright promising future for a comprehensive cooperation is looming, to join us; you who are the heart of Lebanon, Lebanon who has a bank here now, your bank, The "Beirut Hellenic Bank". Pappas We are honoured to have Mr Sfeir standing here as an honourable Chairman of Beirut Hellenic Bank. A bank which brings together two communities, two communities that they made an enormous contributions to Australia, the Lebanese and Geek communities. For me I must say that is an enormous privilege, and it is also privilege for my fellow director Greg Gave, the golden Greek as he was described a little earlier, he joins me tonight, known to you all. I was privilege to travel to Beirut on an invitation of the Chairman in January, and three things drawn my attention immediately about our two communities, the principal of hard work, the principal of flat family above all others and the principal of loyalty, and I realized straight away that there were great synergies between us, that is going to be the foundation of this bank. Speaking about foundation some of the greatest building of civilization are build on Hellenic foundation. Conclusion In conclusion, the cake specially prepared for the occasion was cut, and a drawing on ten prizes each of one thousand Australian dollars, which enable every winner to have a new account in the bank.
Executive Director James Wakim 
Chaiman of the Board of Directors of Beirut Bank, Salim Sfeir cutting the prepared cake For the occasion with minister Barbara Barry, John Ajaka MLC, Daniel, Semaan, Wakim, Pappas and Greg Gav.  Sfeir with Ms. Wakim, Hadjikyriakou and Christou  Deputy General Manager of Beirut Bank Najib Samaan, with Deputy General Manager of Beirut Bank Fouad Shaker, and Camil Shalala 
Salim Sfeir (C) with James and Lola Wakim Ambassador Daniel and wife Mirala with Fred Rahi, Joe Khoury and other guests George Ghossayn, Joe Khoury, Joe Khattar and Mr Gittani Minister Barbara Barry with Sfeir, Semaan, Shaker, Daniel and Wakim  Peter Maroun, Peter Indary, with Tony Khattar and one of the ladies |
|
