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| Description of company and purpose of project |
Habib Bank Ltd (HBL or the Bank) was incorporated in Pakistan in 1947. Privatized in 2004, HBL is the largest and most important private sector bank in Pakistan with a market share of approximately 20% in terms of loans and deposits, approximately $9.5 billion in assets and $526 million in shareholders equity as of December 31, 2005. Having a diversified line of businesses, HBL has a strong background in corporate and SME lending and has also recently focused on increasing its lending to consumers.
The project consists of an eight-year million Tier 2 subordinated loan of up to $50 million to HBL and an equity investment of up to 5% of the Bank’s capital. The investment will enable HBL to diversify its funding sources, strengthen its capital adequacy and to expand its lending activities. |
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| Project sponsor and major shareholders of project company |
HBL operated under state ownership between 1974-2004. After privatization in 2004, 51 percent of the Bank’s shares were purchased by Geneva-based Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development (AKFED). The Government is expected to gradually divest its remaining 49% shares in the Bank.
AKFED is a for-profit international development agency. The fund operates through a network of affiliates with more than 90 separate project companies. AKFED controls assets in excess of $1.5 billion and employs 18,000 people. AKFED is involved in creating economic capacity and opportunity in specific regions of the developing world through strong equity participation combined with management support and technical expertise. |
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| Total project cost and proposed IFC investment |
| The project comprises a Tier 2 subordinated loan of $[40-50] million and an equity investment of up to 5% of HBL’s share capital. |
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| Location of project and description of site |
| Headquartered in Karachi, HBL has a well recognized franchise and offers a wide range of commercial banking services across Pakistan and in 26 markets overseas. |
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| Project Development Impact and IFC's Role |
The project will assist HBL to expand its business, thus providing greater access to financing for corporations, SMEs and individuals, essential to achieve development and higher standards of living.
Additionally, IFC’s involvement would have a demonstration effect by sending a strong supportive signal to the domestic and international banking community. By assisting the leading private sector bank in Pakistan, IFC should also have a beneficial impact on the banking system as a whole. |
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| Environmental and social issues - Category FI-1 |
This is an FI Type 1 project. IFC will assist the Bank to develop an environmental management system to evaluate that investments under relevant operations meet host country environmental, health and safety requirements. IFC will also work with the Bank to develop the Banking Industry’s capacity for environmental review.
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| To contact the project company, please write to: |
Mr. Ayaz Ahmed, Chief Financial Officer
Habib Bank Limited,
21, Habib Bank Plaza,
I.I.Chundrigar Road, Karachi
Pakistan |
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