Within the framework of its annual tradition, BBAC (Bank of Beirut and the Arab Countries s.a.l.) held its gathering ceremony at the Emirates Hall in Habtoor Grand Hotel – Beirut, dedicated to the consolidation of the social relations and the promotion of the family spirit among the employees. The celebration was attended by the Chairman General Manager of BBAC, Sheikh Ghassan Assaf, the members of the board of directors, senior managers and heads of sections and branches, the bank’s staff in Lebanon and abroad, and representatives of its subsidiaries.

At the opening of the ceremony, Sheikh Ghassan Assaf welcomed the employees and praised their tremendous efforts, contributions and unwavering commitment to BBAC. He then listed the 2011 financial results and cited the achievements that have consolidated the bank’s position and strengthened its performance during the last year. Among these achievements were the development and the expansion of the bank’s branches marked by the inauguration of its new branch in Baghdad. Moreover the bank has accomplished the first phase of the qualitative leap it aspires to achieve on the administrative level by becoming the first bank in the Middle East to implement the most advanced IT programs.

“Maintaining the bank’s international credibility and its relation with its correspondents is our top concern. I am confident that you are keen on protecting the bank’s moral and material interest as if you are one of its owners”, Sheikh Assaf said. He stated: “The new year cannot be successful without the efforts of each one of you in your own endeavor”.

Afterwards, a short documentary film was played to share with the audience the results of the fundraising campaign that the bank has organized for the benefit of the underprivileged families and in which the employees have actively participated in order to realize the wishes of these families. The campaign was carried out in line with the bank’s commitment to social responsibility and on the occasion of the holidays.

During the ceremony, the bank distributed cash amount and valuable prizes to the winners of the staff lottery and paid tribute to a number of employees who have served BBAC for over 30 years in recognition of their professional efforts and dedication.