 Kristal Agency OpensTirana – On 24 April 2008, ABA opened the Kristal Agency located at the Kristal Commercial Center, which is the latest and biggest commercial center inside the perimeter of Tirana city. Opening of this agency takes the total number of ABA banking units in the district of Tirana to 19. Kristal Agency is located at the Tirana zone better known as Komuna e Parisit. During these last years this zone has experienced a considerable grow both in the number of inhabitants as well as businesses, thus turning it into a strategic area where ABA is now located with the purpose of offering its banking services to individuals and businesses there. The opening of this agency concedes with the opening of the Kristal Center, which, as was said, is the largest commercial center inside the perimeter lines of Tirana city. Moreover, this center offers a good selection of shops and other services that best supply the needs of the inhabitants of this zone. Kristal Agency is located at the entrance of the Kristal Center and will be open to all customers everyday Monday through Friday, from 9:30 to 15:30. Press ReleaseThe American Bank of Albania and Milan Junior Camp Tirana, 26 March 2008 – Thanks to the initiative of the Intesa Sanpaolo Group, official sponsor of A.C. Milan, the American Bank of Albania has become one of the sponsors of the Milan Junior Camp that will be organized in Tirana from the 30th of June – 4th of July 2008. The Intesa Sanpaolo Group has promoted this activity that brings together sports, talent and fun, in the other countries where it is present through its banks, like in Serbia, Hungary, Bosnia-Herzegovina, etc. Based on this initiative the Bank has decided to offer the chance for all children ages 8 to 16 years old, that have a FUTURA account with the Bank, to participate in the “Paketa Sportive” lottery package which will be held starting from the 27th of March to 31st of May 2008. This offer will be available even to new customers that will choose to participate through the “Paketa Sportive”. The lottery, which will select 30 children, will be held on the 1st of June 2008. For further information please visit your nearest ABA branch or contact the Corporate Image Department. PRESS RELEASE Torino, Milano, 20 March 2008 – The Intesa Sanpaolo’s Management Board, chaired by Enrico Salza, met and approved the drafts of the Parent Company’s financial statements and consolidated financial statements as at 31 December 2007 (*). The results for 2007 highlighted a positive performance achieved notwithstanding the negative effects of the financial markets crisis and benefiting only marginally, so far, from merger synergies. Intesa Sanpaolo’s consolidated net income for 2007 amounted to 7,250 million euro from 4,707 million in 2006. The net income reflected on one hand the positive impact of significant capital gains, mainly made on the disposal of Cariparma, FriulAdria and 202 branches to Crédit Agricole.
The American Bank of Albania is part of the Intesa Sanpaolo Group since the 30th of June 2007. For more complete financial information please visit the Intesa Sanpaolo website: www.intesasanpaolo.com Press RelaseGroup strategies confirmed on the eve of Euromoney’s Annual Central & Eastern European Forum Vienna, 14th January 2008 – “INTESA SANPAOLO WILL CONTINUE TO GROW IN CENTRAL-EASTERN EUROPE AND IN THE MEDITERRANEAN BASIN” IN THE FIRST NINE MONTHS OF 2007 THE INTERNATIONAL SUBSIDIARY BANKS DIVISION REGISTERED:
The Countries of Central-Eastern Europe – as highlighted in a report prepared by the International Network of Intesa Sanpaolo Economists and presented during the meeting – have young and extremely dynamic economies, that registered high growth rates in the 2002 - 2006 period (on average around 4-5%, according to Eurostat), far higher than the average for the Eurozone. The most reliable estimates expect this trend to continue. Furthermore, the banking system in the area experienced an accelerated development, by favouring the transfer of savings to loans that finance investments and innovation, and made an essential contribution to economic growth. The development of activities of the Intesa Sanpaolo Group in the Central-Eastern European markets is expected to stem from the strategy adopted in the area, which leverages on consolidated key strengths such as the name, tradition and local management, the search of new opportunities and the creation of a synergic network of competences capable of accelerating the evolution of the offering in growing sectors such as credit cards, leasing and consumer lending. The International Subsidiary Banks Division operates through 10 controlled commercial banks, leading players in their respective markets, and mostly active in the retail sector:
The re-branding project is aimed at ensuring that international subsidiary banks are immediately recognised as part of a large international Group and, consequently, underlining the shared identity, with its distinctive values and styles – those of the entire Intesa Sanpaolo Group – in relations with customers and the social and economic community. The programme is part of the strategy aimed at enhancing and strengthening the potential and the image of single banks, for the purpose of reinforcing their role as protagonists in the development of their respective Countries. Lastly, the Intesa Sanpaolo Group also commenced important initiatives on the Chinese market in 2007, through the acquisition of equity investments in local players operating in commercial banking, bancassurance and asset management. In particular, Intesa Sanpaolo was the first Italian bank to make a direct investment in the capital of a Chinese bank through the acquisition of a 19.99% stake in Qingdao City Commercial Bank, it entered in the life insurance sector in China with the purchase of a 19.9% interest in the capital of Union Life and signed an agreement for the acquisition of a 49% stake in Penghua Fund Management, one of the leading asset management companies in the Chinese market. For further information Intesa Sanpaolo Media relations +39 02.87963851 - 3010 stampa@intesasanpaolo.com Press Release Shareholders of Both Banks Approve the Merger Tirana, 21 December 2007 - Today, the shareholders of the American Bank of Albania sh.a. (ABA) and the shareholders of Banka Italo Albanese sh.a. (BIA), in separate meetings, following approval of the Competition Authority and final approval of the Bank of Albania, formalized the merger with absorption of Banka Italo Albanese sh.a (BIA) by the American Bank of Albania sh.a. (ABA). The merged Bank will start operating as one legal entity as of the 1st of January 2008 under the name American Bank of Albania sh.a. (ABA). Press ReleaseSupervisory Board Approves Merger of ABA and BIA On 12 December 2007, the Supervisory Board of the Bank of Albania approved the merger with absorption of Banca Italo Albanese sh.a. (BIA) by the American Bank of Albania sh.a. ( ABA) The merger of the American Bank of Albania and Banca Italo Albanese will be realized through the absorption of BIA (the absorbed company) by ABA (the absorbing company). The name of the new bank after the merger will be American Bank of Albania. The merger practice of two banks is an experience, which has been applied for the first time in Albania and is based on western practices and standards. The American Bank of Albania (after the merger) will be a combination of synergies and resources of both players in the Albanian banking system aiming to create a unique operator, which will offer new and improved products for all customers and a more efficient competition in the financial sector. With the approval of this merger the structure of the shareholders’ capital of the American Bank of Albania will be owned by the following shareholders according to the respective ratios:
The American Bank of Albania (after the merger) will become the second bank in the market with total assets of Lek 103,030 million, total loans of Lek 38,622 million, total deposits of Lek 88,929 million and total equity of Lek 6,990 million.
Contact: E-mail: media@ambankalb.com Website: www.ambankalb.com PRESS RELEASEABA receives “Bank of The Year 2007” Award for Albania by The Banker Tirana, 5 December 2007 - In a ceremony organized in London, on 28 November 2007, the world-renowned banking magazine The Banker awarded the American Bank of Albania (ABA) with the “Bank of the Year 2007” award for the country of Albania. The American Bank of Albania received this award for best overall performance in the previous period based on performance criteria, qualitative achievements and strategic initiatives. On this occasion, Lorenzo Roncari, President and CEO of ABA, said: “I was pleased to receive the Bank of the Year Award for ABA in Albania, not for what we have achieved to become number one, but more for what we are going to do and achieve in the coming years to remain number one. I am proud to say that our staff and management team are already looking forward to this new challenge.” ABA attributes this award to the hard work and dedication of its employees as well as the vision of its management team, which have constantly distinguished the bank since its establishment in 1998. The criteria for the assessment of the Bank of the Year Award is built around detailed questionnaires sent to banks by The Banker, and this year 457 banks from 143 countries submitted questionnaires to the magazine’s editorial team. The judging team took into consideration not only on the latest results, growth rates and performance data over the previous period submitted in the questionnaires but also analyses of all available material including technology, acquisitions and key strategic developments. This year, The Banker’s eighth annual commercial banking awards ceremony presented 155 “Bracken Statuettes” to winners from a record 143 countries, along with seven regional awards, representing the best commercial banking performances across the globe. Established in 1998 to assist Albania in its transition to a market economy, the American Bank of Albania has expanded strongly in the past three years and agreement was reached at the end of 2006 with Italy’s Sanpaolo IMI to acquire 80% of ABA at 3.65 times its net worth. The agreement was finalized in June 2007, when ABA officially became a bank of the Intesa Sanpaolo Group. ABA has continued to expand its branch network and at the end of November this year it served 87,600 customers through 27 branches in Albania and Greece. ABA has been at the forefront of technological innovation and introduced Albania’s first e-deposit product through its Internet banking module ABAflex. One of its main future business goals is to become a regional bank based on its mission to serve the Albanian communities not only in Albania, but also in Kosovo, Macedonia and Montenegro. New Partnership between ABA and Post Office for Incoming Transfers to AlbaniaTirana, 16 November 2007 - The American Bank of Albania and the Albanian Post Office have formed a new partnership to facilitate the service of incoming fund transfers from abroad to Albania. Now ABA in partnership with 541 outlets of the Albanian Post Office will send your money to any corner of Albania, even to the recipient’s home address. This service facilitates the transfer of funds to Albania for only a 6 Euro transfer commission. Meanwhile, the recipient of the funds does not have to pay a commission. The funds are sent quickly and safely. At this starting phase, the transfer of funds from abroad is available only for the neighboring country of Greece, wherefrom anyone wanting to send money can visit one of ABA’s 4 branches in Greece (i.e. Athens, Thessaloniki, Pireaus and Peristeri). This service is available to everyone, be it customers or non-customers of the Bank. The recipient of the funds has the ability to withdraw their funds in any of ABA’s branches or agencies in Albania. Or in any of the 541 Albanian Post Office outlets spread throughout the country, everywhere ABA may not be present. Moreover, the sender may choose to send the funds directly to the physical address of the receiver, meaning their home or office. This facility is very valuable especially in cases when the sender’s relatives (e.g. parents) may not be able to move as easily to withdraw the funds themselves. When they receive the money, the recipient should have a form of identification e.g. a valid passport, ID card or birth certificate. For further information, please visit any of ABA’s branches and agencies in Albania and Greece, or any of the Albanian Post Office outlets. New Tabacco Holding Agency opens in Kombinat areaOn 13 November 2007, the American Bank of Albania opened its 2-nd agency in the Kombinat area of Tirana – Tobacco Holding Agency This agency takes the total number of ABA’s banking outlets to 23 (plus 4 branches in Greece). Opening hours 9:30-15:30, Monday through Friday. Draft Merger Plan AnnouncementOn 28 September 2007, both the Steering Councils and the Extraordinary Shareholders’ Assembly of the American Bank of Albania approved the Draft Merger Plan of the merger by incorporation of Banca Italo-Albanese (the absorbed company) with and into the American Bank of Albania (the absorbing company). Please click the link to read the Draft Merger Plan Announcement in English. ABA opens a new agency in Kombinat, Tirana28 September 2007 – The American Bank of Albania has the pleasure to announce that today it opened its latest agency in the Kombinat area, in Tirana (near the former Glass Factory). Opening of this new Agency in Kombinat aims at increasing the geographical expansion of the bank as well as to bring it closer to businesses and customers in this area, whereby it can offer them all its quality facilities and financial services. The Kombinat area is a well-known industrial zone of Tirana. Meanwhile, its ongoing business development as well as the growing needs of the citizens of this area for financial products and services, have made indispensable the opening of this agency which is now fully functional and offers all the necessary products and services for customers. This agency takes the growing number of ABA branches and agencies to 22, spread out throughout Albania. ABA opens its latest Agency at Komuna e ParisitTirana, July 27, 2007 – The American Bank of Albania opened a new agency at Komuna e Parisit. The opening of this agency brings to 21 the number of branches and agencies of ABA in Albania (23 with Athens and Thessalonica) and allowing ABA to be strategically positioned around Tirana in order to continue providing its services to both present and potential customers. Opening hours 9.30 – 15.30 from Monday to Friday Tel. 048 202425 -7 Fax 048 202429 Press Release: INTESA SANPAOLO SIGNS PARTICIPATION IN THE AMERICAN BANK OF ALBANIA Tirana, 29 June 2007 – Intesa Sanpaolo and the Albanian American Enterprise Fund (AAEF), single shareholder of the American Bank of Albania (ABA) leader in corporate and private banking services, conducted today the “Official Signing of the Participation of Intesa Sanpaolo into the American Bank of Albania”, for the sale of 80% shares of the Bank, with puts and calls for the remaining 20% at the end of 2009. The price agreed by the two parties is US$ 156,9 million, a multiple of 3.65 times net equity or 10.46 per share. On the 20th and 21st of December 2006, both parties signed the Share Purchase Agreement and the Shareholder Agreement, for the sale of 12,000,000 shares of the Bank, equal to 80% of the shares outstanding. The transaction was subject to the authorizations of the Bank of Italy, Albanian Competition Authority and Bank of Albania, which were successfully received in the following months. ABA has over 4,000 corporate and more than 70,000 retail customers (total over 74,000) with a network of 22 branches (two in Greece) and over 370 employees. Total assets of ABA amount to US$ 884 million. Intesa Sanpaolo through this participation in the American Bank of Albania reinforces its presence in Albania and Greece. This is the biggest foreign direct investment made in Albania so far. Bank of Albania approves transfer of shares to Intesa Sanpaolo Tirana, 8 June 2007 - At its last meeting, the Supervisory Board of the Bank of Albania, held on 6 June 2006, decided to: Approve the transfer of the controlling package of 80% shares of the American Bank of Albania over to the Group of Intesa Sanpaolo S.p.A. Italy. The new shareholder of the American Bank of Albania, Intesa Sanpaolo, is an Italian leader of European scale whose aim is to create an operator of the primary importance, able to come up with valuable products for its customers as well as to compete effectively in the financial and banking sector. The Intesa Sanpaolo Group is present in 48 countries. The Italian network of Intesa Sanpaolo is made up of 5,500 branches spread out throughout Italy, serving about 12 million customer. Moreover, its network of banks in 13 Central and Eastern European countries is made up 1,650 branches, serving about 7.7 million customers. With the approval of this transfer, the equity structure of the American Bank of Albania is owned by the Albanian-American Enterprise Fund and the Intesa Sanpaolo Group S.p.A. in the following rations: i. AAEF, has 3,000,000 shares that represent 20 percent of the equity of the Bank. ii. Intesa Sanpaolo, has 12,000,000 shares that represent 80 percent of the equity of the Bank. As regards the supervision efect, the American Bank of Albania will be included in the Intesa Sanpaolo Group of Italy. ABA to give away FUTURA accounts for children bornd on the 1st of June Tirana, 1 June 2007 - The 1st of June is the International Children’s Day and as such it is celebrated by all children and families everywhere. On this occasion, the American Bank of Albania, has made preparation to celebrate this Day together with the families of the children born on this day. The Bank has decided to open free FUTURA accounts in the amount of 10.000 Lek (new) for every child born on the 1st of June. This gift will be valid for all the children born on this date, starting from 00.00 to 23.59. Bank representatives will be visiting the materinty hospitals in Tirana, Durres, Elbasan, Fier, Korca, Lushnja, Gjirokastra, and Vlora to contact with the staff and/or the parents of the children and instruct them on how to open a FUTURA account for their child. FUTURA is a special account that serves as a long term investment for the children. The account is opened in the name of the child and serve as a deposit account where parents, relatives and anyone else can deposit funds which will latter be made available to the child when he/she turns 18 years old. At that time these funds can be used for the child’s education, or other expenses and needs that he/she might have. For further information, please contact the ABA branch or agency nearest to you. Pay your Local Taxes with Visa or MasterCard Tirana, 23 February 2007 – Now you can pay your local taxes using any Visa, MasterCard or Maestro card. You can do this at any of the counters of the General Directorate of Local Taxes for the Municipality of Tirana (GDLTM). This service is provided free of charge for all individuals and businesses like you. All you need to do, when visiting these counters, is to use your Visa, MasterCard or Maestro card and the payment will be effected immediately through the POS terminals that have been installed there. Thus you do not need to use cash. If you want to take advantage of this service, but do not have a card, then the American Bank invites you to apply for an ABAcard at any of its counters. You can get your card and start using it within a day. The agreement for the installation of the POS terminals was signed in July of 2006, between the American Bank of Albania and the GDLTM of Tirana, in order to improve payment of local taxes as well as expand the card payment service for citizens. Earn up to 8% through Ownership Certificates for 5-year Bonds Tirane, 2 February 2007 - American Bank of Albania offers now a new product for its customers: Ownership Certificate for the First 5 year Government Bond. This product is available for all customers who wish to invest through ABA. This product provides you with a 5-year investment opportunity, and as such offers an interest rate of up to 8%. Customers can invest with amounts starting from Lek 250,000. The offer is valid till the end of April 2007. Please contact our Customer Service for the conditions to apply. Even Deutsche Bank decides to implement FlexCube for its retail banking expansion Tirana, 15 December 2006 – Lately even the German giant Deutsche Bank (DB) was reported to have chosen Flexcube to help sustain its venture into retail banking in Russia and China, International Banking Systems journal (IBS) announced last month. DB is a major financial institution well known for its corporate finance and private wealth management services. However, it is noteworthy that it has chosen i-Flex’s retail solution, FlexCube, for its retail-banking venture in both countries. It was in the later part of 1999 when the American Bank of Albania (ABA) first implemented the same core banking solution – Flexcube. At that time ABA was the second bank in the world to choose Flexcube as its banking platform, preceded only by the Federal Bank of the Middle East in Cyprus. Today Flexcube continues to provide ABA with an excellent banking platform that supports its day-to-day as well as future needs and operations. Flexcube is an essential part of ABA’s technology infrastructure but most importantly it provides real benefits to our customers so that they can be offered greater facilities and speed. This platform allows ABA to create and offer new and improved services and products. Then these products and services are available to all our customers at any of our branches and agencies in Albania and Greece, all in real-time and full security. More than 280 financial institutions across 100 countries have selected FLEXCUBE as their banking technology platform. The diversity of financial institutions that use FLEXCUBE include the International Monetary Fund, UBS, North Carolina Department of State Treasurer, Banco de Chile, Shinsei Bank, Citibank, Caixa Galicia, Lloyds, HDFC Bank, DAB, Sicredi, Syndicate Bank and just recently Deutsche Bank. Flexcube has been ranked the worlds No. 1 selling banking solution for four consecutive years, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005, by the UK-based International Banking Systems (IBS). ABAflex individual customers can now pay their water utility bill onlineTirana, 4 December 2006 - Now on, even our ABAflex individual customers will be able to pay their water utility bill online through ABAflex for the Tirana Water Supply Company. Paymenf of the water utility bills through ABA was made possible first in March of 2006 starting with our corporate customers and now our ABAflex individual customers for the Tirana Water Supply Company. In order for your payment to be vaild you will need the following information to be inputted in the description of the transaction: 1.The period/month the payment is made for; 2.Number of the Invoice and the 3.Contract Number of the customer. Joint Press ReleaseMajor Infrastructure Project by Private Investors Tirana, 20 November 2006 marked the signing of the agreement for a EUR 10 million syndicated loan granted to Romano Port sh.a., that has undertaken the construction of a jetty - Romano Port - for the transportation of oil, gas and their products in the coastal area of Porto–Romano, Durres. This project represents the first private jetty that will handle the transportation of oil and gas and other such products in Albania. Total investment for the construction of the jetty reached EUR 16 million of which 63% or EUR 10 million of the total amount was syndicated by three banks, meanwhile the other part was financed by Romano Port sh.a. itself. The EUR 10 million syndicated loan was made possible through the participation of the American Bank of Albania, Emporiki Bank – Albania and Tirana Bank. The American Bank of Albania acted as lead bank both in regards to negotiations and participation in the syndicated loan. The loan was granted for a 12-year term. This investment is set to replace the port of Durres and Lezha for the transportation of oil and its products. The importance of this project stands on the fact that it represents one of the largest private industrial investments in this sector. Growing interest on the part of private businesses led Romano Port sh.a. to acquire the license for the construction of this jetty with private funds. After the signing of the Concessionary Agreement by the government of the Republic of Albania and its ratification by the Albanian Parliament under Law no. 9298, dated 28.10.2004, Romano Port sh.a. received the KRRTRSH license for its construction. Works started immediately and are now at over 50% complete. Meanwhile, unloading of the first ship is projected to happen in the summer of 2007. Upon start of operations all existing oil and gas deposits are expected to move near the new jetty within a 12 to 24 month period. Signing of the agreement was made with representatives of the concessionary company Romano Port sh.a. and representatives from the three participating banks: American Bank of Albania represented by Mr. Lorenzo Roncari – President & CEO; Emporiki Bank – Albania represented by Mr. George Caracostas – General Executive Director; and Tirana Bank represented by Mr. Bedri Collaku – Credit Division Director; as well as Mr. Artan Dulaku, Piro Bare and companies Inter-Gaz sh.a, Alba – Oil sh.a and Edil Al-It sh.p.k. The agreement was signed on the premises of the American Bank of Albania. The placement and functioning of the jetty will be in accordance with the recommendations of the World Bank Group and IMF which advocate that oil and gas transportation jetty be constructed in well designated industrial zones. Better interest rates with our new e-Deposit product ABAdirectTirana, 13 November 2006 - ABA has introduced a new innovative and very interesting product exclusively for ABAflex users. The new product, ABAdirect, as the name suggests, provides you with the advantages of a e-Deposit directly from the Internet through the ABAflex online service. Therefore, the customer wishing to better manage and invest their savings will have the possibility of doing this with the new ABAdirect account. This special Time Deposit account offers preferential rates, which are higher than those of a regular Time Deposits. These interest rates are always published on the Bank’s website under the ABAdirect page. ABAdirect allow you to open several 1, 3 or 6 months and 1 year deposits for amounts starting from 100,000 Lek or 1,000 EUR / USD per individual deposit. ABAflex is ABA’s online banking service allowing you to check up and verify banking information related to your bank account(s), and also effect many banking transactions directly from the Internet, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, from the comfort of your office or home computer. For more information please visit our main page: www.ambankalb.com ABAflex transactions increase by 30% Tirana, 03 November 2006 - At the start of September, the American Bank of Albania introduced a new offer for all its ABAflex customers who would decide to use ABAflex to effect their outgoing transfers. The offer, which is valid from September 1 to December 31, provides for a 10-euro discount on any transfer, of any amount, to any other account outside of ABA. Currently, ABAflex users number at about 1200, which includes both corporate and individual users. Customers continue to choose ABAflex because it allows them to carry out majority of their banking transactions directly from the Internet in their home or office computer without having to come in person to the bank. Since ABA introduced its 10-euro discount per outgoing transfer in September, customer transactions have seen an increase of about 30% in these last two months and are expected to continue in these levels. By the end of the year ABA is preparing to introduce another innovative product that is linked directly with ABAflex, which will provide all ABAflex users with a new investment opportunity. As mentioned above, the discount offer for all outgoing transfers through ABAflex will continue to be available to all existing and new users till the end of December. So we would like to remind you again to take advantage of this great offer. For more information please visit any of our branches and agencies or go directly online at http://www.ambankalb.com American Bank of Albania Press Release Tirana, 20 October 2006 - The AAEF has reached an agreement in principal with the Group San Paolo IMI to sell 80% of the shares of the American Bank of Albania maintaining a continuing participation of 20%. The American Bank of Albania today has opportunities to expand its activities both quantitatively and qualitatively. Albania is growing and the American Bank of Albania must lead that growth. In order to achieve that we must have critical mass and a focused strategy to be stronger and more competitive. Our criteria to join with a major international financial institutions has been as follows: First, the name and nature of the ABA will continue as will the participation of the AAEF in any transaction. It will be the same bank. Second, our customers come first. This transaction will only increase the range of services we can offer our customers. Third, we have built a team that is the best banking team in Albania. Our management and staff from top to bottom will manage the Bank. We are now able to offer our staff even more opportunities for training, education, responsibility and advancement. In addition, every employee of the Bank is a shareholder. Fourth, this transaction will result in an increased ability to serve the country and develop the economy. We are not interested in standing still. There may be for example regional growth opportunities as the situations in Kosovo, Macedonia and Montenegro stabilize. Fifth, capital created by any potential transaction will largely remain in Albania to further our mission on a permanent basis. These are our criteria. We are committed to building the leading financial institution in Albania and to creating financial products that improve the lives of all Albanians. That is our mission, nothing more and nothing less. With the increased need of financing for major infrastructure projects in Albania the American Bank of Albania will be now uniquely positioned to take advantage of the strength and specific financial knowledge of the San Paolo IMI Group in the international financial market, not only in direct financing for major projects but in the specific expertise of Bonds issues. San Paolo IMI Group has a double A rating in the international market. It has a leading position in Italy and now is merging with Banca Intesa to create a Group with total assets of € 550 billion, shareholders equity of € 30 billion with over 6.200 domestic branches and Agencies and over 1000 foreign branches. The combine net income of the first six months 2006 is € 2,6 billion. In Eastern Europe the Group has a presence with owned Banks in Hungary, Rumania, Slovenia, Russia, Ukraine, Croatia, Bosnia – Herzegovina, Slovakia, Serbia and already in Albania with the Banka Italo–Shqiptare. The Group is the third largest Bank for market capitalization in the Euro zone and the fourth in lending. With this transaction the American Bank of Albania bring into Albania the full power of a major international Banking Group for the continuing development not only of the banking system but for the country itself. Deposit rates increasedTirana, 12 October 2006 - American Bank of Albania has increased its deposit interest rates in Lek. Respectively, 4.50% for 6-months; 5.30% for 1 year and 6.00% for 2 years. Meanwhile, the 1 year deposits in the other currencies are: USD - 4.50%; EURO - 3.50% and GBP - 4.30%. For more information please visit any of the ABA branches and agencies. ABA, first two-quarters financial resultsTirana, 22 September 2006 - For the first half of the year the American Bank of Albania’s net profit grew by 52.4 percent to Lek 404 million, from Lek 265 million reported for the same period in 2005. Meanwhile, for the same period liabilities due to customers reached over Lek 53 billion figure, compared to Lek 47 billion at the closing of 2005. Bank assets reflected an increase by 10 percent for the first half as compared with the end of 2005, growing thus from LEk 56 billion to Lek 61 billion. Net income before taxes for the first two quarters reached over Lek 505 million, while for the same period in 30 June 2005 pre-tax income closed at Lek 376 million. Balance Sheet as of 30 June 2006 (Amounts in ‘000 Lek)
Take advantage of ABA’s latest Mortgage Interest Rate LoansTirana, 18 September 2006 - Recently, ABA published its latest interest rates for all types of Mortgage Loans, which include; loans for housing and shops, reconstruction, furniture, etc. As it regards competition, ABA offers some of the most competitive interest rates in the market. They vary from 8.25-9% for US Dollar, 7.75-8.25 % for Euro, and 9-9.5% for LEK. Mortgage loans can be granted for a term up to 20 years, meanwhile the customer may choose any other term within this predefined period. Interest is calculated based on the annual interest rate of US Dollar or Euro, according to the Libor or EuroLibor annual rates respectively, over which the Bank applies its spread. The same is valid for the loans in LEK, however the interest rate is calculated summing up the annual interest rate for T-Bills plus the Bank’s spread, which changes on an annual basis. For more see the table below:
(Adjusted every year based on LIBOR,ELIBOR,TBILL). For more information please visit the nearest ABA branch in your city, or if you are in Tirana please visit our agency at the European Trade Center (Galeria), opposite the Cathedral. E-mail: americanbank@ambankalb.com Tel. 276322 or 276324. Two new card payment opportunitiesPay with your card at Vodafone shops Tirana, 4 September 2006 - Thanks to a new agreement between American Bank of Albania and Vodafone Albania, now every individual or business customer of Vodafone Albania can pay their invoices or make purchases using their Visa or MasterCard card in the two main shops of Vodafone Albania in Tirana. Implementation of this agreement started with the installation of a POS terminal (point of sale) in the shop of Vodafone Albania located at the European Trade Center (Gallery, behind the Pyramid) and another POS terminal at the recently opened Vila Vodafone on "Deshmoret e 4 Shkurtit" street, Block area. Hence, when the customer visits one of the Vodafone Albania shops to make a purchase or pay an invoice, he will not need to carry cash. When effecting the card transaction the funds are transferred electronically from the customer’s bank account to the account of Vodafone Albania. Therefore, every customer, individual or company may use the card to effect all kinds of transactions offered in the shop, either for buying prepaid cards, paying the monthly invoice, purchasing mobile phones, accessories, etc, etc. All payments may be effected using any personal or corporate card, be it Visa or MasterCard. For more information, please visit the above-mentioned shops of Vodafone Albania. Pay your local taxes by cardTirana, 4 September 2006 - Following the expansion of the card payment opportunities, American Bank of Albania has entered into an agreement with Tirana Municipality, based on which every individual or business may now pay all local taxes using their Visa or MasterCard. The Bank has installed a POS (Point of Sale) terminal at the cash desks of Tirana Municipality. Therefore, every cardholder has the possibility to settle all their liabilities, taxes and penalties in favor of the municipality electronically through the card, without using cash. Card payments include: Tax on property for business category, hotel tax, public space tax, car registration tax, ownership transfer tax, registration tax, cleaning tax, advertising tax, penalties and delayed payment fees, building rent, land sale, tender documents sale tax, hunting tax, etc. Card payments offer more opportunities and facilities for all kinds of payments and transactions, in or out of the country, via telephone or Internet. Two different agreements, greater benefits for our customersTirana, 6 July 2006 - The American Bank of Albania has now established itself as a solid financial institution in Albania. Its mission is to provide financial services not only to its customers in Albania, but also to the Albanian communities living and working in both Greece and Italy. In 2005 ABA signed two important agreements with an Italian and a Greek banking institution – Banca Lombarda Group and ATEbank (Agrotiki Trapeza Ellades), respectively. Back in June 2004, ABA opened its first branch in Athens, Greece. At that time that was a major step, but also an important landmark since ABA was the first and only Albanian bank to establish a branch outside of the country. Earlier this year, in April, ABA opened its second Greek branch in the beautiful seaport of Thessalonica, where the second largest community of Albanians is centered. One year after the opening of its first Greek branch in Athens, on May 2005, ABA signed an agreement with ATEbank. This agreement allows all Albanians living and working in Greece to use ATEbank’s network of more than 450 branches to deposit funds toward their ABA Greece account, or transfer money to any ABA banking location in Albania. Another added benefit is the ability for customers to pay their monthly installment for loans granted by ABA Greek branches through ATEbank. Following the same philosophy, another important agreement was the one with Banca Lombarda Group, which is a confederated bank in Italy with close to 1000 branches spread throughout Italy, with a strong presence in north and center of the country. The Group includes Banco di Brescia; Banca Regionale Europea; Banca di Valle Camonica; Banco SanGiorgio and BancaCassa di Risparmio di Tortona. Thanks to this agreement the community of 320,000 Albanian can transfer funds to Albania with minimal fees. Furthermore, there are additional banking facilities that are being prepared for the almost 6,000 Albanian businesses registered in Italy. According to 2005 statistics, incoming transfers channeled through the banking system, as of the end of 2005 showed that total remittances from Italy to Albania had reached Euro 124 million. Meanwhile, incoming transfers only through ABA represented 38 percent of the total or EUR 47 million of that total. Dear Customers,Starting 1 July 2006, the American Bank of Albania will provide Saturday banking services from 10:00-12:00 only at the following Branches & Agencies below:
Furthermore if you need to make Cash deposits, ABA offers two Night Safes at its QTU and ETC Agencies respectively. Internship program for 10 economical-informatics studentsTirana, 22 June 2006 - The American Bank of Albania, under an agreement with the Ministry of Science and Education, organized on Monday, June 19, 2006, a meeting to welcome 10 students studying for the Economical–Informatics degree. The students were short-listed by the Ministry to participate in an internship program at the American Bank, which will go from July 1 to August 31. Participating in the meeting was Mr. Lorenzo Roncari, President and CEO and Mrs. Ardiana Ujka, Vice President who welcomed the students to the Bank. Whereas Mr. Gjergj Gjinka, Chief of Cabinet; Mrs. Antonela Luli, General Secretary, and two other colleagues, were there to represented the Ministry of Education and Science. "We are happy to have the students here. Most of our staff started work without any previous banking experience. This is a great way to learn how the bank operates", Mr. Roncari explained to the students. During the internship period at the Bank, the students, mainly (Juniors) in the third year of Economic – Informatics, will be able to gain real work experience. They will be expected to learn a lot and work just like the other employees of the Bank carrying their own responsibilities. This opportunity is expected be an experience that will complete their theoretical knowledge. "We prepare you for the real life" said Mr. Roncari. "This shall be the real experience, no just theory, because everything you will be doing will have to do with money and the business of the bank". The Bank’s commitment is in the framework of an initiative by the Ministry of Education and Science for computerization (e-school project) and to help increase human capacities in schools. In support of this initiative, the American Bank of Albania committed itself to provide and internship opportunity for 10 students from the Economical-Informatics degree. At the end ABA will supply 10 desktop computers. Karl Topia Agency opensTirana, 8 June 2006 - This year, ABA has successfully opened two new branches, one in Thessalonica, Greece and another in the city of Lushnja. In addition, it has expanded its network in Tirana with the addition of three new agencies. Karl Topia Agency is the newest one, which opened on 2 June 2006. The new agency is located at the Zogu i Zi intersection, on the second floor of the Karl Topia Trade Center. Opening of this new agency allows for ABA to be strategically positioned around Tirana in order to continue providing its services to both present and potential customers. For more information please visit: http://www.ambankalb.com or call the new Agency at Tel.: 048 300 345/346 ABA Launches ABAcard Visa ClassicTirana, 25 May 2006 - Recently the American Bank of Albania launched its latest ABAcard product – the Visa Classic card – taking the total number in the ABAcard portfolio to 6. ABA is now the first bank in Albania as regards the number in different card types that it offers. The new ABAcard Visa Classic is a debit card that, linked to an individual current account, gives customers convenient and secure access to the funds in their personal current account(s), any time of the day and anywhere in the world. This card is denominated in USD, which makes it the ideal card for all those individual customers whose preferred currency is the U.S. Dollar. Added advantages of the Visa Classic card are the ability to use it for Internet transactions as well as Hotel and Car reservations. This card can used it at over 28 million merchant locations, as well as to withdraw cash in Albania and at over 810,000 ATMs bearing the Visa logo worldwide. "Customers have frequently asked us about an ABAcard that was denominated in USD, because they either were paid in that currency, traveled to the U.S., made online purchases or had their savings in USD. So we made it a priority to offer them a card tailored to their needs," Enkelejda Balliu, Asst.Vice President, Card Services, explained when asked about the introduction of this card. Presently, the ABAcard portfolio includes the following: Visa Electron (in Lek), Visa Classic (in US$), MasterCard Standard (in EUR) and the prestigious ABAgoldcard MasterCard (in EUR). Meanwhile, ABA offers the corporate ABABusinessCard MasterCard card tailored to businesses, organizations, institutions and other such entities. This card is denominated in Euro, making it especially convenient for employees of companies that visit and trade in the Eurozone. Another card product on offer is the ABAcard White, which is a family card that allows Albanian Citizens living and working in Greece and their relatives living in Albania to withdraw Lek in Albania from an account in Greece without paying any bank commissions. For more information about our cards, please visit our website at: ABAcards or visit any of our ABA branches and agencies to apply for your personal Visa Classic card (click here for your nearest location). Now closer to the residents at ‘Tirana e Re’, new ABA AgencyTirana, 12 May 2006 - On Friday, the American Bank of Albania will start operating in its latest agency in Tirana. Besides network expansion of branches and agencies, the new agency will bring ABA’s services closer to all customers and residents in the Tirana e Re area. The new agency is located at the beginning of Bajram Curri Boulevard or near the last bus station of Tirana e Re (New Tirana). Opening of this agency increases ABA’s total number of agencies to 9. "Opening of this new agency is in accordance with ABA’s strategy for increasing the number of agencies and branches," stated Paul Lind, Executive Vice President and Treasurer of the Bank. "This agency will also facilitate the smooth payments for the vehicle registration and inspection office as well as the Insurance agencies nearby, for the issuance or renewal of vehicle insurance," added Mr. Lind. Like all the other ABA agencies, the new Blvd Bajram Curri Agency will likewise continue to provide ABA’s quality services and products tailored to both individual and corporate customers. Some of its services include opening of current and savings accounts, time deposits, Certificate of Deposit, Futura – a savings account for children, all types of cash transactions, fund transfers, foreign exchange, payments for utility bills and taxes, overdrafts and much more. ABA also offers a full range of electronic payment cards called ABAcards (Visa and MasterCard), when linked to a current account, can be used for all electronic transactions in POS terminals and ATMs worldwide. ABA is the only bank to offer full Internet Banking service – ABAflex. The service is available both for individual and corporate customers whereby they can check their account balance, make their utility and tax payments, fund transfers and more, all from the comfort of their own computer. Presently the Bank has a network of 29 ATMs located at all its 17 agencies and branches in Albania and other offsite locations, as well as in its two branches in Athens and Thessalonica, Greece. ABA branches can be found in all major cities like Tirana, Durres, Elbasan, Lushnja, Fier, Korca, Vlora and Gjirokastra. Plans for 2006 include the opening of a branch in the northern city of Shkodra. ABA opens its second branch in GreeceTirana, 13 April 2006 - The American Bank of Albania announces that on 14 April 2006 it is opening its second branch in Greece. The Thessalonica branch marks another important step in ABA’s strategy to be closer to Albanian communities living and working in Greece, whereby it can provide them with its wide range of quality services and products. In opening this new branch ABA wants to extend its commitment to serving all Albanian citizens living and working in Greece as well as to establish a long-term partnership with Albanian and Greek businesses operating between both of our countries. ABA is the only Albanian bank to have established branches outside of Albania. After receiving the banking license from the Central Bank of Greece and the Ministry of Development in Greece ABA started its historical journey by opening its first branch in Athens in June of 2004. Another very positive development for ABA was the contract signed between ABA and the ATEbank (Agricultural Bank of Greece) that in turn enables both banks to provide improved services to Albanian citizens such as fund transfers in Albania, payment of loan installments and more. Further in ABA’s efforts to offer exclusive services to all Albanian citizens living in Greece, the ABA signed a cooperation agreement with the Social Insurance Institute (ISSH) of Albania. As a result of this contract, all pensions paid from Albania to Albanians living in Greece and all voluntary payments of Social Security from Albanian Citizens as well, are automatically routed through our branches in Greece. During these last eight years of activity in Albania, ABA has pioneered many traditional and innovative products and has become the first lending Bank in Albania. ABA is first to have introduced the innovative product of Internet Banking. It also offers the ABAcard White, which is a family card that allows Albanian Citizens living and working in Greece and their relatives living in Albania to withdraw cash in Albania from an ABA account in Greece, without bank commissions. One of ABA’s major goals is to become an integral and sustaining part of the financial and economic relations between the two countries by providing its quality services and products to customers on both sides of the border. New ABA ETC Branch to commence operations on April 3rdTirana, 2 April 2006 - The American Bank of Albania is pleased to announce that it is expanding its banking activity through its newest office in Tirana at the European Trade Center on the ground floor, which opens on the 3rd April. The opening of this new branch provides another opportunity to benefit from ABA’s full array of banking services and products, designed for our corporate and our individual customers. The services provided at this new location include: opening of Current and Savings accounts, Time Deposits, ABAflex - Internet banking, its full package of ABAcards, Overdraft facilities, CDs, Treasury Bills, Futura accounts, Deposits with Life Insurance, two ATMs and many other services and products. Meanwhile, our Private Banking department and our Mortgage department have been relocated from ABA’s Headquarters building, to the new ETC offices. The new Private Banking offices provide a dedicated and discrete environment for our gold service clients. Opening of the ETC Branch is a strategic addition to the increasing number of ABA branches and agencies in Tirana, and all over Albania. Since its foundation in 1998, the American Bank of Albania has successfully established 10 branches and 7 agencies located in all major cities of Albania like Tirana, Durres, Elbasan, Lushnja, Korca, Gjirokastra, Fier and Vlora. Future plans include the opening of a branch in the northern city of Shkodra. ABA introduces new interest rates for EURO time depositsTirana, 28 February 2006 - Starting from the end of February, ABA has introduced new interest rates for Euro Time Deposits. Interest rates for our Time Deposits are 2.4% for 1 month, 2.6% for 3 months, 2.8% for 6 months, 3.0% for 1 year and 3.5% for two years, respectively. Euro Time Deposits are an opportunity allowing you to earn a higher interest for funds that you do not plan to use for a particular time period. Thus you may invest your money and earn the interest. ABA also offers you Certificates of Deposit in Euro with interest rates starting from 3.25% for 6 months and 4.0% for 1-year deposits. Contact: For further information please visit any of our ABA Branches of Agencies or call us at: +355 4 276 000 ABA installs a Night Safe at its QTU AgencyTirana, 28 February 2006 - The American Bank of Albania has started offering a new after-hours cash deposit service using a Night Safe, which it has installed at its QTU Agency adjacent to its front entrance door. The Night Safe allows customers to deposit their cash safely in the Bank after banking hours, during the weekend and Bank holidays, when the Bank is not open to the public. Using this facility is easy and straightforward. You are provided with a special key that enables you to physically deposit your cash in the safe. The deposit is logged and then you receive a receipt without entering the bank. The deposit amount is then made available to your account on the following business day. This service is provided by ABA free of charge to all those who register for it. The Night Safe was installed in response to requests and interest by businesses at the QTU and in its neighborhood. If you are interested please visit our QTU Agency to learn more and start using this new service. Contact: QTU Agency Autostrada Tirane - Durres Tel: 048 202 949 or 048 202 950 Cel. +355 69 2046527 ABA and KESH sign agreement on direct debiting of KESH invoicesTirana, 20 February 2006 - Today, on February 17, 2006, American Bank of Albania (ABA) signed an agreement with Albanian Power Corporation (KESH) on effecting automatic payment of KESH invoices through ABA. The General Director of KESH, Mr. Andi Beli and ABA President & CEO of ABA, Mr. Lorenzo Roncari signed the agreement at ABA’s premises. This agreement was a common initiative undertaken by ABA and KESH aiming at increasing payment of utility bills through the banks. Automatic payment or direct debiting of the customers account is an improved service which aims at facilitating payment of monthly KESH invoices according to KESH respective invoices for the individual or business. If an individual customer or business decides to use this service, then he/she will just need to fill-out a form authorizing the bank. Then the bank will begin all the necessary procedures in order to start this service between the customer and KESH. The service is provided free of charge always by ABA. On the other side the bank notifies KESH about the agreement with the customer and after all procedures the Bank starts to debit the customer’s account for KESH’s monthly invoice amount. ABA also provides payment service for cell phone invoices for both mobile companies Vodafone Albania and AMC as well as payment service of invoices for Albtelecom; Taxes; Customs; Municipal taxes and fees; Social Insurance, etc. Meanwhile, ABA already offers payment of utility bills through its online banking service ABAflex, used currently by more than 900 customers. Contact: For further information please visit any of our ABA Branches or Agencies. ABAcard White - a family card for Greece and AlbaniaTirana, 18 February 2006 - If you are working and living in Greece, or you have relatives in Albania to whom you need to send money on a regular basis, then you will find that ABAcard White has several advantages not found elsewhere…… ABAcard White is designed as a family card that allows Albanian Citizens living and working in Greece and their relatives living in Albania to withdraw Cash in Albania from an ABA account in Greece, without bank commissions, using our ABAnet ATMs. The ABAcard White is offered free of charge through our ABA Branch in Greece and can be issued to your relatives in Albania. Contact:If you have any questions about the ABAcard White simply call our Greek Branch in Athens at: 210-3897321/2/3/4/5 or E-mail: abaathens@ambankalb.com To apply for your own ABAcard White please visit our ABA Branch in Greece or any ABA Branch or Agencies in Albania. ABA experiences continued growth with POS installationsTirana, 16 February 2006 - In 2005, after receiving POS merchant-acquiring licenses from both major international companies Visa and MasterCard, the American Bank of Albania started the implementation of the POS merchant acquiring process. After signing and installing its first POS terminal, in June 2005, ABA saw a rapid growth of new POS installations with merchants eager to sing up before the end of the year festivities. An increasing number of merchants now use ABA POS terminals and new terminals are being installed every day in shops, hotels, restaurants, travel agencies, supermarkets, gas stations, medical clinics, etc. (see list of POS Merchants) Growth of ABA POS terminals is also evident in terms of its coverage in all cities in Albania. Presently, apart from Tirana there are also ABA POS terminals in Durres, Korce, Elbasan, Fier, Vlore and Lushnje, with plans to expand even further in the future. Even if you do not have a fixed telephone line ABA can install your POS in no time and increase your business. Contact: For more information about ABA POS terminals, please contact our Card Services Department at Tel: +355 4 276191 or Cell: +355 69 20 73881 E-mail: abapos@ambankalb.com ABA introduces POS terminals with GSMTirana, 7 February 2006 - ABA is the only bank in Albania to introduce POS terminals with GSM cell phone technology. A POS terminal with GSM can be used anywhere where fixed telephone line infrastructure is lacking. This could be in shops, restaurants, hotels, gas stations, etc. Like a cell phone, the GSM POS terminal operates using the cellular network thereby facilitating card purchases. ABA is currently establishing the largest network of POS terminal outlets all over Albania, thus enabling purchases with any Visa or MasterCard card. Two new ABA ATMs installed at the European Trade CenterTirana, 3 February 2006 - This week, the American Bank of Albania successfully installed a further two new ATMs this time at the European Trade Center (ETC) in Tirana. The ATMs are located at the two main entrances to the building so as to provide better access to all. Installation of these two ATMs is in line with ABA’s plans of consolidating its (ABAnet) network of ATM machines in Tirana and all of Albania. The new ATMs will give our customers greater access to ABA’s ATM network, meanwhile extending ABA’s high standard of services and facilities. Every ABAnet ATM accepts any Visa, Visa Electron, MasterCard or Maestro cards and they can be used by both ABA customers as well as any other cardholder carrying such types of cards. The new machines are part of the growing network of ABA ATMs (ABAnet), taking to 28 the total number of ATMs installed by ABA in Albania. (Click here for list of ATM Locations) An added opportunity to invest your LEK savings in Albanian Treasury BillsTirana, 26 January 2006 - Now, all ABA customers have an added opportunity of investing their LEK savings in Albanian Treasury Bills. ABA is currently one of only three commercial banks to have received the Treasury Bills Registrar License from the Albanian Securities Commission. This License allows for ABA to undertake acquiring and registration of treasury bills on behalf of its customers, thus allowing them to participate in Treasury Bills auctions directly through our bank. Contact: For any questions regarding this ABA service, please contact our Department of Treasury at: Tel +355 4 276 151 or E-mail: ekorini@ambankalb.com Syndicated LoansTirana, 19 January 2006 - The American Bank of Albania ended 2005 with total loans of US$202 million and a credit limit per customer equal to US$6.3 million. The Bank provides also the syndicated loan facility for loans exceeding individual customers credit limit. Syndicated loans are large loans in which a group of banks work together to provide funds for the borrower. Latest ABA branch opens in LushnjeTirana, 13 January 2006 - As part of its expansion plans, the American Bank of Albania opened yesterday its latest branch in the city of Lushnje. The new Lushnje branch will provide the full range of ABA banking services and products for both its corporate and individual customers. During the inaugural speech, Executive Vice President, Paul Lind, spoke about the city of Lushnje as an important city in which it was reasonable for ABA to expand its activity. This new branch is an important step in ABA’s ever expanding network of branches and agencies all over Albania. In speaking about the quality of service that the branch will provide Mr. Lind explained that, "Our purpose is to provide citizens with a western standard of service". Since its establishment in 1998, ABA has established a network of 9 branches and 7 agencies, including a branch in Athens, Greece. The new Lushnje branch is located at Sheshi prane Bashkise, Lushnje and is headed by Vilma Prifti, Branch Manager. Everything you expect from a payment card. Tirana, 12 January 2006 - Prestige, higher spending limits, added-value services and travel insurance – these are the characteristics of ABA’s latest product – ABAgoldcard MasterCard. Unlike the other cards, ABAgoldcard MasterCard offers you travel, delayed baggage and delayed flight insurance. Also, only with ABAgoldcard MasterCard you can automatically benefit from an overdraft line. Simply said: Everything you expect from a payment card. This is the first time a Gold Card has been issued by an Albanian bank and as such it offers higher benefits. ABAgoldcard can be used at over 18 million merchant locations; everywhere the MasterCard logo is displayed, in Albania and abroad. Learn more>> |
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