January 2010
Crédit Agricole Egypt ends 2009 successfully by adding a fourteenth branch to its network in one year
 

Crédit Agricole Egypt (CAE) recently inaugurated Sadat City branch, thus reaching to a total of 14 new branches opened in 2009. Strategically located across Egypt, this expansion marks the opening of the first branches in Banha, Tanta and Damietta (in the Delta); in Qena and Minya (in Upper Egypt); as well as in Suez and Sadat City. The plan also included the opening of four new branches in Greater Cairo and three branches in Alexandria. The 14 new branches are equipped with the latest banking facilities designed to accommodate a greater number of customers and facilitate faster transactions.

CAE is continuously strengthening its presence across the country and furthering its client servicing capabilities in order to better serve its clients. In 2008, CAE introduced the Innovative Branch Concept (IBC) to the Talaat Harb Branch as a new banking experience offering faster, friendlier, and more focused financial services. The IBC services include a fast track area- allowing customers to complete certain transactions in less than 15 minutes and a 24 hour self-service zone. Today the IBC is apparent all of CAE’s new branches and will continue being integrated to future openings.

Currently CAE's sizeable network reached 70 branches located across Egypt -32 in Cairo-, and more than 100 Automated Teller Machines (ATM’s). In addition, CAE offers an upgraded online banking service for easy access to accounts and convenient transactions (www.ca-egypt.com), as well as a dedicated call center (19191) available 24 hours, 7 days a week.

15 December 2009
Crédit Agricole Egypt is granted the approval to fully acquire the Egyptian Housing Finance Company

Crédit Agricole Egypt has received the approval of the Stock Exchange Market and executed the transaction to purchase the remaining shares of the Egyptian Housing Finance Company (EHFC). Accordingly, EHFC has become entirely owned by Crédit Agricole Egypt with a total of 99.98% of the shares.

“We are very pleased with the acquisition of EHFC. The addition of this mortgage finance arm is consistent with our expansion plan through diversifying and strengthening our lines of business”, said Henri Guillemin, Managing Director of Crédit Agricole Egypt. “EHFC has a strong record in providing mortgage finance in the country. We believe that this investment will enhance our revenues as well as our shareholders’ value", added Mr. Guillemin. He further added that the company will be operating as an independent subsidiary of the bank and the existing management team and employees will remain unchanged.

As a result of this acquisition, Crédit Agricole Egypt banked out the shares of IFC (20%), OPEC (20%) and HDFC (10%) with a total deal reaching EGP 70 million. EHFC commenced operations in 2004 with a paid in capital of EGP 50 million and authorized capital of EGP 100 million. The total accumulative fund provided by EHFC since 2004 reached EGP 390 million with an average loan value of EGP 450,000. EHFC’s financial portfolio is comprised of 30% for high income, 60% for medium income and 10% for low income as part of the national housing project.

7 December 2009

CAE participates at MED-ALLIA Cairo 2009

Crédit Agricole Egypt participated as a co-sponsor in the MED-ALLIA Forum held for the first time in Cairo on December 7thand 8th at the Marriott hotel. The 2-day event was organized by UBIFRANCE and the French Economic Department in Cairo, in partnership with the French Chamber of Commerce in Egypt (CCFE). Mr. Michel Zanatta, CAE Retail & Commercial Banking Head spoke on December 7th during the Thematic breakfast “Doing Business in Egypt” offering an overview of the local economic status and insights about Banking in Egypt, especially in relation to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).

The Forum’s primary objective is to foster partnerships between SMEs from Mediterranean countries. This year over 300 companies attended from 9 countries namely France, Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, Morocco, Tunisia, Turkey, Syria and Libya. Commenting on the bank participation, Mr. Henri Guillemin - CAE Managing Director said: “we are very enthusiastic to take part in this important Forum and have the chance to finance emerging business opportunities for SMEs across the Mediterranean. SMEs represent one of the most important segments of the Egyptian economy and thus, enjoy the government’s extensive support”.

29 September 2009
Crédit Agricole Egypt Participates in the Euromoney Egypt Conference 2009

Crédit Agricole Egypt participated as a sponsor and panellist at the Euromoney Egypt Conference that took place from the 29th to the 30th September 2009 at the Semiramis Intercontinental hotel. Mr. Henri Guillemin, Crédit Agricole Egypt Managing Director, participated in the fifth panel entitled “Retail finance services – a rapid evolution or a quiet revolution?”, which debated the means of developing a stronger financial system and channels through which traditional banking can become part in the distribution proceeds of economic growth. “We were very enthusiastic to take part once more in this significant financial event. This year, we shared our experiences in developing retail financial services, which represent a pillar of the national economy”, said Henri Guillemin, Crédit Agricole Egypt’s Managing Director.

16 May 20099
Crédit Agricole Egypt Promotes Egyptian Culture in France
 

Apart from being committed to offer premium banking solutions and services, Crédit Agricole Egypt is also keen to contribute within the communities in which it conducts business. CAE sponsored El Tanboura’s- an Egyptian group from Port Said- performance on May 16th in the “Festival Visages d’Égypte” which ended on May 17th. The Visage Festival focuses on promoting a different culture every year, in Cahors, France.

“At Credit Agricole Egypt, we have embraced the Egyptian culture from the very beginning. We were enthusiastic to be able to share a glimpse of this culture by sponsoring El Tanboura show in Cahors, France. We look forward to continue supporting similar events that encourage intercultural dialogue,” said Henri Guillemin, Managing Director of Credit Agricole Egypt.

El Tanbura is a group of Egyptian musicians, singers, fishermen and philosophers. During the past fifteen years, the group has kept and preserved folkloric melodies played on Al Semsemeya (an ancient pharaonic harp). In 1996, the group has performed at a series of concerts organized by “l’Institut du Monde Arabe” at France.

12 May 2009
Crédit Agricole Egypt Participates at Intergas V 2009 for the Third Consecutive Year
 

For the third year-in-a-row Crédit Agricole Egypt (CAE) participated at Intergas V, one of the largest oil, gas and petrochemicals exhibitions and conferences in the region. The event, held under auspices of H.E Sameh Fahmy, took place from May 12th - 14th at the Cairo International Conference Center.

In addition to CAE’s participation as a Silver Sponsor of the 3-day event, CAE Managing Director Henri Guillemin spoke twice on the first day of the event. Mr. Guillemin was a speaker on the first panel session of the conference which will offer a regional analysis on the exploration status, potential and development in the Oil and Gas industry. He also gave an economic address on the impact of the global slowdown and the credit crunch in Egypt and MENA.

“At CAE we believe that participating in industry events is crucial to gaining insight and understanding of issues that affect business, both from a local perspective as well as international,” said Henri Guillemin, CAE Managing Director. “Our participation in Intergas V is important for us to further understand the needs of our clients and build relationships across all industries”.

12 April 2009
Crédit Agricole Egypt Supports Cairo University’s First Integral Employment Fair
 

Crédit Agricole Egypt supported Cairo University's first employment fair held on April 12th and 13th. The fair was organized by EJB's Key Career Development Center.

Minister of Higher Education and the State for Scientific Research, Dr. Hani Hilal, opened the fair, along with Dr. Ahmed Darwish and Dr. Hussam Kamel.

CAE's support of the fair and partnering with EJB's Key Career Development Center comes from the bank's belief that this fair is the first link between the students and the companies.

Henri Guillemin, CAE's Managing Director, said that supporting the fair and partnering with EJB's Key Career Development Center comes in CAE's plan to connect to the youth. He said that the bank is proud to be cooperating with EJB's Key Career Development. The bank also offered summer training opportunities to the students involved to give them the chance to identify with the nature of working in banking sector and to adopt with the employment atmosphere in general, which gives them the chance of getting employed right after graduation.

25 March 2009
CAE New Trade Finance Website

CAE announce the launch of Egypt’s first international trade-related website: www.egypt-import-export.com. Through this initiative, CAE provides you with an overview and valuable information of the import and export industry that offers you a gateway to world of opportunities for the growth of your businesses.

25 September 2008
Partnership Agreement between Crédit Agricole Egypt & the Egyptian Junior Business Association

Higher Education Minister H.E. Hany Mahfouz Helal witnesses Signing of Partnership Agreement between Crédit Agricole Egypt and the Egyptian Junior Business Association
CAE’s Becomes Sole Banking Partner of the EJB’s Key Program to Develop the Professional Skills of Egypt’s University Graduates.