HBL has been rated as the top banking brand in Pakistan by The Banker.

The Banker is the world's premier banking and finance magazine. Read in 150 countries around the world, The Banker is the key source of data and analysis for the industry. The Banker teamed up with Brand Finance, the leading UK-based independent brand valuation firm, to release its top 500 banking brands for the year 2009.

Click here to see ranks for financial brands

The HBL Board met on February 20, 2009 at Karachi and announced its results for the year 2008, which show a strong growth in all areas. Deposit growth for the year has been 12.5% and the net asset growth of the bank has been 19% over 2007. HBL’s consolidated Pre-tax profit for 2008 is Rs. 22.03 billion and the profit after tax is Rs. 15.61 billion, which translates into an earning per share of Rs. 20.47. As per the circular of the SBP (BSD 4 of 2009), wherein the regulators have encouraged banks to record full impairment, the bank has complied and in this regard 100% of impairment loss to the investments held by the bank have been routed through the profit and loss account.

The Chairman of HBL, Mr. Sultan Ali Allana presided over the Board meeting and said that the bank’s performance, despite the difficult conditions both globally and in Pakistan, is very encouraging. The bank will continue to focus and invest in technology, branch upgrades and human resources in order to deliver a higher standard of services to its customers.

The Bank announced a final cash dividend of Rs. 5.50 per share (55%) and bonus shares of 20%.

HBL received the 'Most Innovative GTFP (Global Trade Finance Program)' award. The award was received at the International Finance Corporation Annual Trade Conference in Paris where 126 issuing and 145 confirming multinational banks that were present. Mr. Tariq Mateen - Head Financial Institutions Division, gave a presentation showcasing the success of HBL in the global trade financing business. The award was received by Mr. Mateen and Mr. Anwar Zaidi – Head Operations. This recognition has raised our profile among a large forum of international banks and paved way for IFC to increase our facility from USD 75 million to USD 100 million which has helped us in creating liquidity in our international network.

In October 2008, HBL received the ‘Best Bank in Pakistan’ award in recognition for its continuous efforts in providing world class products and services to customers. Award was received by Mr. Sultan Ali Allana - Chairman. The ceremony in Washington was also attended by Mr. Zakir Mehmood - President & CEO, Mr. Nauman Dar - Head International Banking and Mr. Tariq Mateen - Head Financial Institutions Division.

Revelation Inc, a Pakistan based brand development company, carried out a poll among marketing and advertising representatives, as well as a panel of judges to pick the most active brand in Pakistan. HBL was received the “Buzziest Brand” award in the Banking and Financial Institutions Category. HBL was competing with strong consumer brands like Olpers and Coca Cola yet accomplished third position among top five brands in the entire advertising industry. The award was received by Mr. Aly Mustansir - Head Marketing and Brand Management. The first two places were awarded to telco brands, Telenor and Mobilink.

We are pleased to inform our shareholders that as per permission granted by Stock Exchanges and Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan under Section 245 of the Companies Ordinance, 1984, HBL has placed Third Quarter Accounts on its website.

Third Quarter Accounts for the period ended July 1 to September 30, 2008 can be viewed here.

In addition, HBL shall provide free printed copies of Third Quarter Accounts to shareholders upon their a written request, within one week of receiving.

We are pleased to inform our shareholders that as per permission granted by the Stock Exchanges and Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan under Section 245 of the Companies Ordinance, 1984, HBL will place Half Yearly Accounts on its website.

Half Yearly Accounts for the period ended June 30, 2008 can be viewed here.

In addition, HBL shall provide free printed copies of Half Yearly Accounts to shareholders upon their written request, within one week.

(As per SBP regulations, all account holders who have not submitted their attested CNIC photocopy to their respective branch are requested to do so before December 31, 2008.)

All Dividend Warrants in respect of the 40% final dividend and all Bonus Shares in respect of the 10% Bonus Shares announced by the company for the year ended December 31, 2007 have been dispatched through Registered post.

Shareholders who do not receive their Warrants & Bonus Certificates within 10 days hereof may contact our Shares Registrar at the following address:

M/s THK Associates (Pvt.) Limtied
Ground Floor, State Life Building No. 3,
Dr. Ziauddin Ahmed Road, Karachi.
Tel: (021) 111 – 000 – 322 Fax: (021) 5655595

The Bonus Shares of CDC shareholders have been credited to their respective accounts maintained at Central Depository Company of Pakistan.

We are pleased to inform our shareholders that as per resolution passed at the Annual General Meeting held on March 28, 2008 and subsequent permission granted by the Stock Exchanges and Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan under Section 245 of the Companies Ordinance, 1984, HBL shall place Quarterly Accounts on its website each quarter.

Quarterly Accounts for the period ended March 31, 2008 have been uploaded and can be viewed here.

HBL shall provide free printed copies of Quarterly Accounts to shareholders a written demand / request from them, within one week of receiving.

HBL, comprising Pakistan’s largest banking network, recently launched the HBL CreditCard. This marks HBL’s latest addition to a series of new initiatives aimed at adding value for the nation’s consumers.
 
Announcing the launch of HBL CreditCard, the bank’s President, Mr. Zakir Mahmood, said “As Pakistan’s largest private bank, HBL strives to play an instrumental role in the country’s development, especially its financial market.  HBL CreditCard is a part of this effort.”
 
Mr. Abid Sattar, Group Executive, Retail & Consumer Banking, HBL, stated, “We intend to provide the country’s most powerful card to every segment of the society, spanning the entire nation.  We shall expand the credit card market through our huge branch network, state-of-the-art technology and exemplary customer service.” 
 
HBL aims to grow the stagnated credit card market in Pakistan by offering convenience, flexibility, security and opportunity to the nation’s consumers. Available in Green and Gold formats, HBL CreditCard is accepted at more than 24 million merchants worldwide.  
 
Among numerous features offered, “Lower rate every year” is one of the unique features of HBL CreditCard.  Under this feature, customers will be rewarded through a reduction in the rate of service charges at the end of each year if they pay their regular bills on time.  Other features offered by HBL CreditCard include E-statements, SMS Alerts, Statement by Fax, Balance Transfer Facility and Revolving Credit Facility.

Under the auspices of Pakistan Banks' Association, HBL introduced the
Enhanced Savings Account (ESA). All PLS Savings Accounts with an average balance of up to Rs. 20,000 will automatically be transferred to this category and earn up to 4% p.a. profit.

Under ESA, all accounts will be automatically transferred on October 31, 2007. Profit will be calculated and credited on a quarterly basis on the average balance. Additionally, 4 free debit transactions (excluding ATM) are provided and only Rs. 50 is deducted if the average balance falls below      Rs. 5,000 during the month.

HBL provides countrywide access to ESA with no hidden charges. Please contact your nearest branch for more details.

HBL has installed a Vikuiti screen at its Zamzama branch in Karachi, Pakistan. The screen plays a montage of HBL’s current product offerings and corporate TV commercials. You can view the screen from sunset onwards during October, 2007.

HBL has discontinued the issuance, service and usage of iCard and AutoCash ATM/POS cards. Please contact your branch to apply for the HBL Value Visa Debit Card to continue using ATM machines and conducting POS based transactions.
The HBL Value Visa Debit Card is enabled for local and international use at all Visa ATM machines and merchants.
Please note that iCard and AutoCash cards that are used after 31st October, 2007 will be captured by HBL ATM machines.

(First Habib Bank Modaraba is managed by Habib Bank Financial Services (Pvt.) Limited (HBFSL), a wholly owned subsidiary of Habib Bank Limited. The Board of Directors of HBFSL, in their meeting held on 20 September, 2007, have approved and declared final profit distribution of First Habib Bank Modaraba at Rs,1.30 i.e. 13% per Modaraba Certificate for the year ended 30 June, 2007.
The Certificate Transfer Book will remain closed from October 22, 2007 to October 29, 2007 (both days inclusive) for the purpose of entitlement of dividend and attendance of the Annual Review Meeting. All transfers received in order up to close of business on October 21, 2007 at our Registrar’s Office, M/s T.H.K. Associates (Pvt) Limited, Ground Floor, State Life Building – 3, Dr. Ziauddin Ahmed Road, Karachi, will be considered in time.
Notice is hereby given that the 8th Annual Review Meeting of the Certificate Holders will be held on Tuesday October 29, 2007 at 3:30 pm at 17th Floor, Habib Bank Plaza, I.I. Chundrigar Road, Karachi, to review the performance of the Modaraba for the year ended June 30, 2007.)