Trade Bank of Iraq

Trade Bank of Iraq

Type	Government-owned corporation
Industry	Banking
Founded	2003
Headquarters	Baghdad, Iraq
Key people	Faisal Al-Haimus Chairman of the Board
Products	Financial Services
Website	www.tbiraq.com

Trade Bank of Iraq (TBI; Arabic: المصرف العراقي للتجارة‎) was established in July 2003 to facilitate Iraq's domestic and international trade dealings in order to meet the pressing need for humanitarian goods and building and reconstruction materials once the United Nations Oil-for-Food Programme ended in 2003.

History

TBI was established by the Coalition Provisional Authority on 17 July 2003 as an independent government entity to provide financial services to facilitate import and export of goods and services to and from Iraq. TBI was licensed by the Central Bank of Iraq and commenced its operations one month after the decision to establish it as a government financial institution had been taken. Since then, TBI has grown into a leading bank in Iraq through strengthening its financial position, assets, and equity. TBI started with paid-up capital of USD 5 million (authorised capital: USD 100 million) in July 2003 and the paid-up capital increased to IQD 1.75 trillion (USD 1.5 billion) as at the close of 2015 by capitalisation of retained earnings. TBI recorded an annual profit of USD 454 million during 2016. The bank quickly developed into a highly credible and effective organization with an asset base of USD 19.7 billion as at the close of 2016.^[1]

In the first year of operation TBI was associated with a consortium of international banks led by JPMorgan Chase. During the startup period, the consortium offered TBI technical support and banking know-how and it has been issuing and confirming letters of credit and letters of guarantee on behalf of TBI. The consortium remained at the heart of TBI's correspondent network and had been a key element in the successful growth of TBI's trade business.

In a short period, TBI built relationships with an international network of 134 correspondent banks covering 63 cities spread over 39 countries. This gives TBI a true global reach, a competitive advantage and the ability to provide a diverse range of services to its clients. Adding to its success was the signing of agreements with 20 Export Credit Agencies that finance exports in the largest global economies. Moreover, TBI was one of the first Iraqi banks to receive lines of credit from major international financial institutions.

TBI's initial customer base consisted of ministries and government-run public sector corporations. During its first year of operation, TBI opened letters of credit only for the public sector clients. During 2005, the bank's customer base widened to include private sector companies and clients. TBI also started granting credit facilities and loans to the private sector in 2005.

Products and services

TBI is playing an important role in revitalising the Iraqi economy primarily by facilitating imports and exports and also through offering new and innovative customer-focused financial products to the public and private sector. These include saving accounts, current accounts, Priority Banking (Jumar), term deposits, certificate of deposits (tistahel), payroll accounts, Automated Clearing House (ACH), real-time gross settlement (RTGS), debit cards, credit cards, Automated Teller Machine (ATM), Point of Sale (POS), E-commerce, Cash Management, Foreign Exchange, trade services, Trade Finance, Personal loans, Car Loans, Term Finance, Working Capital Finance and Project Finance. TBI also finances salaried employees, getting their salaries through their accounts in TBI for purchasing vehicle, house and to meet their personal requirements.

TBI is prompt in adopting modern financial technologies. It is the first bank in Iraq to be on centralised banking solution with all its branches inter-connected. TBI is also first Iraqi bank to introduce credit cards, ATM, POS and e-commerce in Iraq.

Awards and recognition

TBI is the first Iraqi bank to enter the list of the largest thousand banks in the world in 2017. TBI ranks 33 among Arab banks and 318 globally.

In 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2011 consecutively, TBI was voted as the best trade bank in the Middle East by Trade & Forfaiting Review Magazine, London. Additionally, Global Trade Review nominated TBI as the best bank in business continuity in 2010. Also, The Banker Magazine nominated TBI on top 500 banks in the Middle East in August 2011. In 2016, JPMorgan Chase awarded TBI 'The Elite Award for Quality'. TBI won awards in the Best Brand Relaunch and the Best Trade Finance award categories at the 15th Annual Banker Middle East Industry Awards in 2017. EMEA Finance awarded TBI the Best Local Bank as well as the Best Investment Bank in Iraq for 2017.^[2]

TBI has been awarded the ISO 9001:2015 certificate for having an international standard quality management system (QMS) in June 2017. Certification to the ISO 9001 standard reaffirms TBI’s credibility by showing customers that its products and services meet expectations and they will consistently receive high-quality products and services. TBI is the first Iraqi bank to get ISO 9001 certification.

Corporate Social Responsibility

During the holy month of Ramadan in 2017, TBI distributed clothes and food baskets to displaced and affected people in various districts. TBI organised a march to salute Iraqi security forces on their victory over ISIS. Mr. Al Haimus along with his deputies and assistants visited the injured soldiers at Medical City Hospital in Baghdad and gave them presents and certificates of appreciation in token of their sacrifices in liberating the country from ISIS. In December 2017, TBI arranged a visit to the Central Teaching Hospital of Pediatrics for the Chairman, Mr Al Haimus along with his team of employees from the bank. Around 100 presents were distributed among the little children undergoing medical treatment there.

Offices

See also

• List of banks in Iraq
• Iraqi dinar
• Central Bank of Iraq

References

External links

• Official website
• National Investment Commission, Iraq