Beirut, 22 April 2008

Beirut, dated 17th April 2008. BLOM BANK has announced that it has been granted authorisation by the Qatar Financial Center Regulatory Authority (QFCRA) to operate a subsidiary from the Qatar Financial Centre.

Mr. Saad Azhari, Chairman of BLOM BANK Qatar LLC, declared that BLOM BANK Qatar LLC was granted a licence by Qatar Financial Centre on April 7th 2008, and that the Bank will offer various conventional corporate and private banking services in the Qatari market and other GCC countries. It will conduct the following activities:

• Deposit Taking
• Dealing in Investments (as agent)
• Arranging Deals in Investments
• Managing Investments
• Advising on Investments
• Providing Credit Facilities
• Arranging Credit Facilities
• Arranging the Provision of Custody Services

In compliance with QFCRA requirements, BLOM BANK Qatar LLC has a paid-in capital of 10 million Dollars. BLOM BANK’s entry into Qatar constitutes one step further in the Group’s strategy to spread “peace of mind” (group motto) all over the world and to be one of the largest regional banks.

Notes to Editors:

BLOM BANK Group

Established in 1951 in Lebanon, BLOM BANK SAL is “The Best Bank in Lebanon” in 2008, according to the international institution, Global Finance, and has received many international awards as The Best Bank for different banking activities in Lebanon and the Middle East. BLOM Bank has the highest National Scale Rating at Aa1.lb from Moody’s and has also the highest Financial Strength Rating by Capital Intelligence. With Total Assets of USD 16.628 billion at the end of 2007 and an ROAE of 15.6%, BLOM Bank has ranked number one in Lebanon in 2007, in terms of profitability with total net profits of USD 204.701 million.
BLOM Bank, is the Lebanese bank with the widest international branch network covering 10 countries in Europe, The Gulf and The Middle East. With its universal banking services and its continuous search for eacellence, BLOM BANK has been spreading and providing “Peace of Mind” to its customers all over the World.

1- BLOM BANK, The Best Bank in Lebanon

- BLOM BANK has the following awards:

• The Best Bank in Lebanon from the international institution Global Finance.
• The Best Bank for the use of technology in the Middle East from The Banker Middle East.
• Best Bank for Trade Finance in the Middle East from The Banker Middle East.

In addition, it received four other international awards dealing with various aspects of the banking profession in Lebanon:

• Best Bank for Foreign Exchange Operations from Global Finance.
• Best Bank for Trade Finance from Global Finance.
• Best Bank for Consumer Internet Banking from Global Finance.

2- BLOM BANK’s Widespread Presence in Ten Countries in Europe, The Gulf and the Middle East and 2 new Banking Licenses Approval for Saudi Arabia and Qatar

BLOM BANK has a presence in 10 countries, either directly or through its subsidiaries:
-In Lebanon: BLOM BANK has 50 branches and is opening 6 others in 2008. Our subsidiaries in Lebanon are:

• BLOMINVEST BANK, a private and investment bank
• BLOM Development: an Islamic bank
• AROPE Insurance: all types of insurance services

-In Syria: Bank of Syria and Overseas has 11 branches covering all major regions in Syria. BLOM BANK has an off-shore branch in Damascus.
-In Jordan: BLOM BANK has opened 6 branches.
-In UAE: BLOM BANK FRANCE has is present in Dubai & Sharjah and BLOM BANK has opened recently a Representative Office in Abu-Dhabi.
-In France: BLOM BANK FRANCE has its headquarters in Paris.
-In United Kingdom: BLOM BANK FRANCE has a branch in London
-In Switzerland: BLOM BANK (Switzerland) has its headquarters in Geneva.
-In Romania: BLOM BANK FRANCE has 5 branches
-In Cyprus: BLOM BANK has a branch.
-In Egypt: BLOM BANK Egypt has 23 branches and 100% ownership of BLOM EGYPT Securities.

BLOM BANK has received in January a license for a financial institution in Saudi Arabia "BLOMINVEST Saudi Arabia" specializing in Investment & Private banking. We received in April 2008 the license approval from the Qatar Financial Center Regulatory Authorities for a corporate bank in Qatar. Our insurance company, AROPE Insurance , received the approval to establish life insurance Co. and a properties insurance co. in Egypt. On the other hand, BLOM BANK France had applied for a bank license in Algeria.

3-BLOM BANK Universal Banking Services

BLOM Bank provides universal banking services that meet all the needs of clients, and it is constantly developing and improving these services. These services include: Commercial Banking, Corporate Banking, Private and Investment Banking, Retail Banking, Islamic Banking and Insurance products and services.
It is worth mentioning that BLOM Bank Qatar LLC, is prohibited to transact business with retail customers and is not carrying on Islamic Finance. BLOM Bank aims through its strategy of expansion and diversification to provide the best services to its clients and ensure their Peace of Mind.
For more information, please visit BLOM BANK’s website: www.blom.com.lb

Qatar Financial Centre
The Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) is a financial and business centre established by the Government of Qatar and located in Doha. It has been designed to attract international financial services institutions and major multi-national corporations and to encourage participation in the growing market for financial services in Qatar and elsewhere in the region. The QFC will operate to international standards and provide a first class legal and business infrastructure for those operating within the QFC. The QFC was created by Qatar Law No.(7) and has been open for business since 1 May 2005.