Bank PekaoBank Pekao finally completed its lengthy and complex restructuring over the past year, which included completing the merger of Pekao and BPH, spinning off – at the request of the Polish authorities – 200 branches and the brand name of BPH (which subsequently merged with the Polish subsidiary of GE Money), and merging Pekao’s two Ukrainian operations with each other and then with parent company UniCredit’s new purchase, Ukrsotsbank.
Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI)Confronted with stiffer competition, narrower margins and volatile markets, the Philippines’ number one player, Bank of Philippine Islands (BPI), has succeeded in delivering strong asset growth of 9.3% for fiscal year 2007, combined with a rise in net profits of 10.8% during the same period.
Banco GeneralWhen Banco General finalised its merger with Banco Continental at the end of last year, it became the second largest bank in Panama, with assets exceeding $7bn, a loan portfolio of $4.5bn and a capital base of $800m. It also created a bank network of more than 60 branches and a customer base exceeding more than 345,000 clients.
Khan BankWith strong expansion in all sectors, Khan Bank became the largest bank in Mongolia in 2007, with the highest post-tax profits at $16.6m and the highest return on equity at 45.9%. Khan increased Tier 1 capital by 79.6% to $48.7m and saw assets rise by 74.25% to $513.3m as Mongolia’s economy booms.
Seng Heng BankIn 2007, Macau’s second largest bank, Seng Heng Bank, expanded in all financial sectors, providing a healthy return on equity of 17% and laying the foundations for a takeover by China’s largest bank, ICBC, in January 2008. Seng Heng provided 12% growth in Tier 1 capital to reach $253m, a solid 16% expansion in assets to reach $3.7bn and 5% rise in net profits to $40.8m in 2007.
Banque et Caisse d’Epargne de l’EtatBanque et Caisse d’Epargne de l’Etat (BCEE) stands out as the doyen of Luxembourg’s financial institutions and one of the cornerstones of the country’s financial community. The bank is wholly owned by the Luxembourg State and it is the country’s only major financial institution without foreign shareholders.
SEBSEB bank became the first in Lithuania to calculate its own credit risk capital requirements under Basel II, and its focus on qualified risk assessment and financing has helped it maintain a good-quality portfolio during the economic slowdown in the Baltic – non-performing loans actually declined in 2007, to just 1%.
Standard Bank LesothoStandard Bank Lesotho is thriving in one of Africa’s smallest economies. It boosted its net profits by almost 50% in 2007 on the back of a growing deposit base and enhanced revenue streams. The bank continues to roll out new products and services while maintaining tight cost discipline.