2nd Quarter
April - June 2010
Message from the Chairman
At the outset, I would like to welcome you in this issue of Al-Tijari News where it is the first time to meet you through Al-Tijari News, which aims at enhancing & strengthening the social relations among the Bank's staff members. Actually, I found it appropriate to communicate with you through this issue to express, on behalf of myself and the Board Members, our happiness for working together as one team in the Bank. Undoubtedly, we appreciate your consolidated efforts in shouldering your responsibility and we are confident that you will exert your utmost efforts to help us achieve further advances during such critical and important period. We will also complete all our ambitious plans and promising strategies through the teamwork spirit to prove that CBK shall always occupy a leading position among local banks in Kuwait. Let me say that through a work environment that places great emphasis on cooperation and understanding, and within the new strategy drawn up by the Board of Directors, we will endeavor together to offer the best banking services to the Bank's customers so that CBK remains the First Choice to customers.
CBK Celebrates 50th Anniversary
Dear Colleagues
Our Bank is celebrating these days its 50th anniversary. Fifty years back Commercial Bank of Kuwait was established by virtue of the Amiri Decree No. 5 dated 19/6/1960 and was the second oldest bank in Kuwait. Throughout the past fifty years, our Bank made large strides and proved its strong franchise in retail & corporate market. How special for all of us to celebrate the golden jubilee of our Bank, but unfortunately we will not be able to organize a big celebration of this important event on the back of the global financial crisis. On this occasion, Adv. & PR Department has organized a media campaign in local newspapers to present the Bank's journey over the past 50 years and to accentuate the main achievements in the history of the Bank. Adv. & PR Department congratulates all the Bank staff on this occasion and wishes the Bank and its employees all success and prosperity.
Sheikha Nouf Al-Sabah
Head of Adv. & PR Department
Al-Tijari is the Major Mediator for the MasterCard International Training Session
In collaboration with MasterCard International Company and Commercial Bank of Kuwait, a training session was organized in the Institute of Banking Studies on EMV which is a global standard for credit and debit cards chip based technology. The training session was concluded successfully.
This training session is meant to present the features of EMV standard and its technical details to all banks with a view to keep up with the banking sector outside Kuwait where this technique has become an international standard worldwide.
CBK Staff Ranked First in the Certified Bank Branch Manager Program and The Advanced Certificate in Credit Management Program
Commercial Bank of Kuwait celebrated a number of its employees who successfully completed the training period related to the certificate programs of Certified Bank Branch Manager accredited by the Institute of Financial Studies IFS - United Kingdom and the Advanced Certificate in Credit Management.
The Bank's employees attained the first and third ranks in the certificate program of Certified Bank Branch Manager and also attained the first and fourth ranks in the certificate program of Advanced Certificate in Credit Management among the participating employees from other banks. On this occasion, the Bank's Top Management honored the graduated employees and offered them certificates of appreciation in recognition of their outstanding performance and high performance in both programs. The graduation of this group of employees comes in completion of the Bank's training plan which mainly targets the national manpower and aims at enhancing and promoting the relationships with customers and offering the best banking services.
Participating in the Career Opportunities Exhibition at the Australian College of Kuwait (ACK) and "My Career" Exhibition at the College of Arts
Out of the Bank's ongoing efforts to provide job opportunities to the ambitious young Kuwaitis and within its ongoing endeavors to attract Kuwaiti graduates seeking to find employment opportunities with the Bank, Commercial Bank of Kuwait participated in the Career Opportunities Exhibition held at the Australian College of Kuwait (ACK).
In the same context, the Bank also participated in the Job Opportunities Exhibition titled "My Career" which was held at the College of Arts under the auspices of the College's Dean Al-Sheikha Dr. Maymona Al-Sabah. This comes out of the Bank's support to Kuwaiti young graduates and to help them build their future by finding the proper jobs that best suit their ambitions and capabilities and educational qualifications.
The Bank's participation in both exhibitions aimed at providing a number of job opportunities to male and female students looking for part time jobs, where the Bank has also announced that the students who are about to graduate and seek job opportunities with the Bank on a full time basis are welcome to submit their application for the same. It is to be noted that the Bank provides these job opportunities to increase the percentage of national manpower in a bid to fully rely on national labor in managing all the Bank's affairs in the future.
Honoring a Group of the New Recruits
Commercial Bank of Kuwait has honored a group of the new recruits who successfully passed "The New Recruits Program" which lasted for three months and included on-the-job and theoretical training. The new recruits were trained, throughout the training period, on the professional basics of the banking business.
Commercial Bank of Kuwait endeavors to be among the top Kuwaiti institutions in relation to "localization Process", where the Bank constantly seeks to attract the talented Kuwaitis to increase the percentage of national manpower. The Bank also endeavors to train and motivate its employees to enhance their performance with a view to maintain a good image of the Bank.
Al-Tijari Supports Khaldiya Co-ops' Activities
In keeping with its ongoing efforts towards community service and its participation in the different social activities which serve all segments of society, Commercial Bank of Kuwait offered financial contribution to support Khaldiya Co-ops' activities.
On this occasion, Khaldiya Branch's Manager Mr. Bashar Al-Bader welcomed Mr. Nawaf Al-Husainan, the Board Member and Secretary of Social Committee / Khaldiya Co-ops and handed him over the cheque of the contribution. Al-Husainan expressed his appreciation of the Bank's effective role in supporting the diverse social activities organized by Khaldiya Co-ops.
Qurain Branch Ranked First in Selling Insurance Services Offered on Al-Tijari Cards
As a token of appreciation, Commercial Bank of Kuwait in collaboration with American International Group (AIG) honored Qurain Branch which was ranked first in selling the insurance services offered on CBK cards in recognition of the Branch's efforts and remarkable performance among other branches in promoting the insurance services to its customers.
On this occasion, AIG offered a winning trophy to Qurain Branch and also delivered other awards to the Branch staff to motivate and stimulate them to continue the same performance for achieving further progress & excellence towards CBK customer service.
Al-Tijari Sponsors the Umra Trip For Kuwait Farmers Federation
Out of the Bank's endeavors to positively interact with all segments of society, Commercial Bank of Kuwait financially participated in the organization of the Umra trip to the members of the Kuwait Farmers Federation. This initiative comes to further illustrate the Bank's community service efforts.
Supporting the Activities of Environment Day
Commercial Bank of Kuwait supported the Environment Day held at JW Marriott Hotel under the caption "Our Environment is our Life" and which was organized by the College of Basic Education's Environment Committee - Public Authority for Applied Education and Training under the patronage of the Governor of Kuwait City Sheikh / Ali Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah. On this occasion, the Bank has received a memorial trophy in recognition of its continued efforts in all environment activities which benefit the community and assist in spreading awareness of environment.
CBK Sponsors the American International School's Carnival
In another step that emphasizes the Bank's support to the educational programs and activities arranged by schools and educational institutions, Commercial Bank of Kuwait sponsored the Carnival of American International School.
The School's administration commended the Bank's role and its participation in this Carnival and wished the Bank more prosperity and success to the Bank.
Al-Tijari a Major Sponsor for the Honoring Celebration of Marriott's Customers
Commercial Bank of Kuwait participated as a major sponsor in Kuwait Marriott Hotels' annual Party held in Al-Raya Ballroom in recognition of Marriott's customers and their trust and selection of CBK's products and services. The celebration was attended by a number of the executive managers of major companies in Kuwait. On this occasion, the Bank set up a special booth to present the products and promotions offered to its valued customers including the discounts programs and the new products and services.
On this occasion the Bank has received a memorial shield for its sponsorship of the event in the presence of Mr. Yasser Bahbahani, Ms. Shatha Mansour, Mr. Ramzi Sabboury and other staff members from Retail Banking.
Sponsoring the Activities of Golf Day
The Bank believes that sport activities are very important for building up a healthy community and out of this, Commercial Bank of Kuwait sponsored the activities of the Golf Day held in Al-Zour Port. The several participations by the Bank in supporting sport come as a clear manifestation of the Bank's belief in the importance of sport in creating an athletic society and also demonstrate the Bank's effective role in all the activities which serve all society segments.
CBK Welcomes Mariam Bent Sabah Al-Awal Al-Sabah School's Female Students and Hend Prep School's Female Students in Their Visit to the Bank
Commercial Bank of Kuwait welcomed Mariam Bent Sabah Al-Awal Al-Sabah School's Female Students in their visit to the Bank where they were introduced to the nature of banking business. The visit was organized under an orientation program especially tailored for the students to give them in-depth information on the services and products offered by the Bank. At the end of the visit, the students listened to an orientation lecture on saving and its importance for them in the future.
Additionally, the Bank organized an orientation lecture at Jabriya Branch for Hend Prep School's female students where the lecture addressed topics related to the importance of saving, the significant role of banks towards society service, types of accounts and the services offered by the Bank to its customers.
At the end of the visit, the Bank has distributed gifts to the female students of both schools.
CBK Welcomes "Al-Tijari 7th Hobbyist Exhibition" Visitors
For the seventh consecutive year, Commercial Bank of Kuwait successfully organized, "Al-Tijari Hobbyist Exhibition" for the Bank staff and their families. The Exhibition has been always a good opportunity for staff members to present the artworks and handcrafts they & their families have produced. The Exhibition encompassed a wide variety of the distinct designs derived from the traditional legacy and which were marvelously manufactured to accommodate all tastes. The Bank endeavors to organize this annual Exhibition which achieves more success year after year in view of the increasing number of staff participating in the event.
The Exhibition became a special occasion where all the Bank staff and their families meet and this in turn enhances the social relationships among all staff members and reflects CBK's support of the artistic, cultured and innovative talents of all staff members.
Adv. & PR Department interviewed some participants and sought their opinions & comments on the Exhibition which were as follows:
Mr. Hussein Al Qenaie - IT Security Department
"This is the sixth time I participate in this Exhibition. On this occasion, I would like to extend a special word of thanks to Sheikha. Nouf Salem Al Ali Al Sabah who initiated the idea of this Exhibition and all Adv. & PR Department team members. My hobby is to mix oriental perfumes where such mixtures result in new perfumes /fragrances that may be commendable by visitors. I find the Exhibition a very good chance to get the feedback of visitors and their opinion on the oriental perfumes produced so as to develop my hobby and this encourages me to participate in the Exhibition for subsequent times.
Haifaa Salem Al Bader - South Surra Branch
The Exhibition was a very good chance for me to present the accessories and manually decorated clothes. I hope to participate once again in the coming exhibitions. Actually it was a good experience for me where I presented my products to the visitors.
Zahra Boarki - Human Resources
This is the third time I participate in the Exhibition where I displayed a set of the educational toys which suit the different ages of children and encourage learning via amusement. Actually, my participation in this Exhibition allowed me to communicate with the Bank staff and their families. I would like to appreciate Adv. & PR Department's ongoing endeavors to arrange such successful social activity.
Manal Yacoub Al Beloushi - Call Center
This is my fourth participation in this Exhibition. I like to present accessories, women's handbags, Islamic prayer clothing and Gergi'an clothes. Actually, I admired the diversified products which are of interest to women. The Exhibition is a good chance to bring up some new ideas and to see a variety of presented items.
Jumana Khaled Baroun - Jaber Al Ali Branch
This the first time I take part in this Exhibition. I have a number of hobbies where I embellish shawls/veils and make a mixture of perfumes and also assemble certain accessories. The Exhibition was very nice and included diverse hobbies and I hope to participate in this Exhibition in the coming years IN SHALLAH.
CBK Sponsors the Seventh Arab Media Forum
In view of the importance of media at present, its significant role in all aspects of life and its impressive impact on financial, banking and economic sectors, Commercial Bank of Kuwait participated in the activities of Seventh Arab Media Forum which was held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh / Naser Al-Mohamed Al-Sabah, Prime Minister and in the presence of a number of media officials from Arab countries. The Bank mainly relies on diversified mass media in presenting the services offered by CBK to its customers.
Sharing Al-Ataa Nursery's Kids their Graduation Party and Support their Activities
In keeping with the Bank's commitment towards society service, Adv. & PR Team shared Al-Ataa Nursery's kids their joy of graduation, where the Bank provided them with some supplies which may help them partially overcome their disability. This gesture by the Bank aimed at bringing happiness to children and draw smile on their faces and this stands as a manifestation of the Bank's concern to support and encourage the children with special needs to interact actively with the community and boost their self-confidence.
Al-Tijari Shares the Engineering College's Students their Open Day
In view of its policy which aims at supporting & sponsoring the social and educational activities and out of its constant commitment towards the youth, Commercial Bank of Kuwait sponsored the Open Day arranged by the students of the Electrical Engineering Section - Kuwait University. On this occasion, the Bank set up a booth where the Bank's staff received a number of queries from the students and briefed them on the services & products offered by the Bank to its customers salient of which is the "@Tijari" account tailored specifically for youth.
Supporting Small Projects in Kuwait Vision Exhibition
Within its ongoing efforts that focus on upgrading Kuwaiti youth capabilities along with supporting their small projects, Commercial Bank of Kuwait offered the silver sponsorship to Kuwait Vision Exhibition for small projects which was organized under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh / Ahmad Al-Fahd Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs State Minister for Development Affairs and Minister of State for Housing Affairs.
On this occasion, CBK set up a special booth to get the visitors familiarized with the sophisticated banking products and services offered by the Bank to its customers which include the diverse accounts products such as "@Tijari" account especially tailored for youth. The Bank also set up another booth in this Exhibition where young Kuwaitis visiting the Exhibition got firsthand knowledge on the job opportunities available at CBK as well as the advantages of working in banking sector in general and in the Bank in particular.
