Gulf International Bank
The Gulf’s Own Merchant Bank

    Gulf International Bank (GIB) is a leading merchant bank in the Middle East with its principal focus on the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states. With a proven track record spanning more than 30 years, GIB provides client-led, innovative financial products and services. Its client base includes major private-sector corporations, Gulf-based financial institutions, multinational companies active in the region and the governments of the GCC states.

    A number of factors have contributed to GIB’s success and leadership. These factors include excellent knowledge of the GCC market and its industries, professional and prudent management, international reach and commitment to providing financial services that are tailored to satisfy customer needs.

    GIB has gained an international reputation for project and trade finance and is a leading player in the regional syndicated loan market. The bank’s financial strength is based on conservative asset and liability management policies, its high-quality asset profile and strong capital base. More recently, the bank has increased its focus on merchant banking services, including corporate finance and asset management.

    GIB has investment grade ratings from all three major international credit rating agencies: Fitch, Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s. GIB was the first bank in the GCC to be awarded long-term investment grade credit ratings by all of the major international agencies. GIB’s current long-term foreign currency debt ratings are: Fitch: A, Moody’s: A2 and Standard & Poor’s: A-.

    GIB was established in the Kingdom of Bahrain in 1975. The six GCC governments own 72.5 per cent of the bank, while the Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency owns 27.5 per cent.

    Over the last quarter century, GIB has become one of the most respected banks in the Arab world, with total assets of US$ 27.5 billion and shareholders’ equity of US$ 2.3 billion at the end of June 2007. The bank also manages US$ 22 billion of clients’ assets. In 1999, GIB acquired the London-based Saudi International Bank, which has subsequently been renamed Gulf International Bank (UK) Limited. GIB currently has branches in London, New York, Riyadh and Jeddah, in addition to representative offices in Beirut and Abu Dhabi.

Web site : www.gibonline.com