The International Bank of Azerbaijan is a global financial institution serving consumers, pensioners, small businesses, multi-national corporations and investors. The bank enjoys a unique position in the history of its nation: the institution has played a key role in bringing the country of Azerbaijan, a “new†country with an ancient heritage and culture, into the 21st century’s global economy.
Bank History
One hundred years ago, Azerbaijan was a global economic power, producing more than half of the world's oil. Nearly a century of Soviet oppression, ending with the fall of the Soviet Union, damaged the country's economic capacity. Like many former Soviet republics, the country faced an extremely difficult task in securing its own governance and building an economy after gaining independence in 1991.
IBA's beginnings and its growth since that time have been anchored alongside the growth and rebuilding of the country, its administration and a capitalistic economy. The bank is the same age as the current independent country of Azerbaijan (both began in 1992).
After the Soviet Union dissolved, Azerbaijan's society transformed into a free-market, democratic state. Although heavily controlled and 50% owned by the country's government, the bank was able to accomplish what no other large company in Azerbaijan could: expand and connect its people and money to the larger world and partner with some of the most successful, admired, global financial brands: American Express, MasterCard, and Visa.
The bank’s growth in the period 2001-2013 has been notable. Assets have increased from 1.93 billion AZN to 7.681 billion AZN ($9.8 billion US), an increase of 397%, paralleling, but slightly better than Azerbaijan’s GDP growth of 374% (both in constant manats) over the same period. The bank’s net income increased to 126.9 million AZN last year, a 235% growth rate.
All this reinforces the International Bank of Azerbaijan’s position as a fiscal foundation and one of the leading economic engines of its country. Additionally, IBA is helping connect the country's people and businesses with those from other nations, including the United States.
Financial
World rankings
In 2014, IBA holds the following rankings among banks worldwide:
- Capital: #776
- Assets: #722
- Capital adequacy ratio: #546
- Return on equity: #447
- Return on assets: #520
Q1-Q2, 2014
According to a report issued by the bank on July 1, 2014, IBA's assets increased over 25 percent during 2014 to over AZN 8 billion. Other updated financial figures included:
- Loan portfolio: Increased 23.4 percent to AZN 5.5 billion.
- Individual loans: Totalled at AZN 563 million.
- Revenue: First the first two quarters of 2014, the bank made over AZN 330 million in revenue.
- Profit: Net profit for the first two quarters of 2014 was AZN 29.7 million.
2013
In 2013, the bank's assets increased to 7.17 billion AZN. On January 1, 2014, the bank's loan portfolio amounted to over 5 billion AZN. The loan portfolio dollar amount great by 30 percent between 2012 and 2013.
Deposits
Deposits at IBA have increased 20.2% since the beginning of 2012. Total deposits amount to 1.165 billion manat.
Dividends
In November 2012, shareholders voted to pay over 63 percent of undistributed profits as dividends. Approximately 8.6 million manat will be paid out as dividends. For 2009, 2010, and 2010, the bank's net profit amounted to 200.958 million manat. Revenues equaled 1.2 billion manat.
Market position
As of July 1, 2012, IBA held the following sector positions:
- 35% of banking market in Azerbaijan
- 30% of the loan portfolio market
- 35% of the total deposit portfolio
Moody's
On May 30, 2013, Moody’s Investors Service announced that it upgraded the bank’s outlook to “Stable†in the following ratings:
- Long term foreign currency senior unsecured debt
- Long-term foreign currency subordinated debt
- Long-term local and foreign currency deposits
- Standalone financial strength
2012
Performance
On April 22, 2013, the bank announced its key financial results for 2012:
- Aggregate capital increased by 40% to AZN 720 million.
- Assets increased by 17.5% to AZN 5.891 billion.
- Authorized capital increased by 38% to AZN 331 million.
- Credit portfolio increased by 28.8% to AZN 4 billion.
- Loans to individuals increased to AZN 476 million.
- Net income increased by 80% to AZN 43.4 million.
- Revenue increased to AZN 377.8 million.
- Total capital increased by 78.3% to AZN 747 million.
Portfolio
The bank's portfolio information for 2012-2013 includes the following:
Assets
As of July 31, 2013, the bank’s assets amounted to AZN 6.42 billion. This figure amounted to an increase of over 25% over the prior year.
Equity portfolio
See the Subsidiaries section above.
Financial audit
The bank’s primary auditor is Deloitte & Touche.
Major loan activity
In 2012, IBA signed a 5-year bilateral loan agreement for US $145 million. The bank entered the Islamic financing market in 2013 with an initial investment of US $120 million.
Total credit portfolio
The bank holds over 34 percent of the total credit portfolio in Azerbaijan.
History
Early years
The bank began in 1990 as a branch office of Russian bank “Vneshekonombank†(RUS: Ð'нешÑкономбанк). In 1992, the office grew into a full joint-stock bank.
In 1996, IBA founded the credit card processing company AzeriCard.
The bank began relationships with both Visa and MasterCard in 1997, and the bank began issuing bank cards using those systems.
Rapid growth
The few years after 2000 marked a period of growth and international recognition for IBA.
In 2002, the bank accomplished many growth initiatives, including:
- Creating the Azerbaijani insurance company International Insurance Company, which remains the country's largest insurance provider (in terms of paid-in capital) as of October 2013;
- Opening two subsidiary banks in Russia and Georgia;
- Entering the World Economic Forum "Community of Growth Companies" as a full member;
- Offering American Express cards.
World stage
The IBA management team laid a foundation for growth in the 2000s. Chairman Hajiyev led the bank to international prominence, and by 2010, the bank was recognized as entering the world stage as a major player. The bank opened many international representative offices in the 2000s, including offices in the London, Frankfurt, Luxembourg, and Dubai.
In 2009, the bank established an official presence in the United States of America with an office in New York City.
In 2010, IBA participated in the United Nations 7th Meeting of the Global Compact Working Group on the 10th Principle against Corruption.
Services
Corporate customer services
The bank offers various types of bank accounts for business customers.
Business loans
The bank offers a number of business loans, including business project financing, loans syndication, and long-term loans.
Currency exchange
IBA buys and sells various currencies by offering a currency exchange.
E-commerce
The bank works with business customers to set up e-commerce services on the business’ website. The e-commerce system allows customers to use a Visa or MasterCard to buy merchandise and services online.
InternetBank
The bank’s full-service online banking system is called InternetBank.
Salary card
The bank also offers businesses and their employees a “salary card.†An employer puts money onto the card for an employee’s salary, bonuses, and any other types of pay.
Settlement services
The bank offers a suite of corporate banking services called “settlement services.†The services includes accounts that use more than one currency, "salary cards,†cash deposits and withdrawal, money transfers and online account management.
Individual customer services
Individual customers can get a MasterCard, Visa and American Express card through the bank. To date, the bank has issued over 2.5 million bank cards to customers.
The bank also provides “micro-loans,†which are loans up to 5,000 manat for customers age 20-65. Individuals can also apply for regular short-term and long-term personal loans.
Individual customers can do online banking with IBA’s InternetBank system. Customers can pay bills online to various Azeri companies like Aztelekom, Azercell, Alfanet, and AzEuroTel. Customers can also set up automatic, recurring monthly payments. Customers can also make online purchases through the WebMoney, a service similar to PayPal.
For retired customers who receive pensions, the bank offers a service called Pension+. The bank gives interest-free loans of 100 manat or more. Repayments for the loan are made automatically when the customer gets their next pension deposit. Additionally, the IBA offers safety deposit boxes.
Private Banking
The bank runs a private banking service for wealthy individuals called “Prestige Club,†a personal banking service aimed at wealthy customers. IBA started the service in 2011. Members of the club get personal assistance with all areas of life, such as business, leisure, travel, home and family.
In 2012, the growth in deposits at IBA-Moscow was mostly due to deposits made by members of the Prestige Club; these deposits accounted for 73 percent of the total growth in customer deposits.
In late 2013, the bank’s Russian branch, IBA-Moscow, started a service called the Multi-Family Office Prestige Club. The service provides private banking services such as consulting, tax and investment help. IBA-Moscow obtains bond rating at level of parent bank’s rating first time on market.
The bank has described Prestit as a personal banking service “designed to organize all processes in all areas of life†such as business, property, inheritance, and travel. Some of the services are only available for people who have over $50,000 USD in their account.
Corporate affairs
Headquarters
The bank is building a new headquarters building that will be commissioned in 2014. The current headquarters is located in the central area of Baku.
Ownership
The Azerbaijan Ministry of Finance is the bank’s main shareholder, possessing a 50.2 percent equity stake. The bank holds 40 to 50 percent of the Azerbaijan banking system’s total assets. Of the largest 10 banks in Azerbaijan, the bank holds 44.2% of assets, 47.6% of loans, 15.7% of retail loans, 39.4% of deposits, 30.5% of capital and 44.3% of banking sector profits.
Board of Directors
IBA has three members on its Board of Directors: Chairman Elmar Mammadov, Deputy chairman Murad Shiraliyev, and Deputy chairman Ulvi Mansurov
Operations
Customer initiatives
Although the bank offers many programs, the R@ndevu service and "Pension ATM" program have received media attention:
R@ndevu
The bank offers customers a service known as “R@ndevu.†The service helps customers get appointments at branches without waiting in line. To do so, customers make appointments online or through the phone.
To run the program, the bank procured a “queue management system†known as eSirius produced by a French company called ESII.
Pension ATMs
IBA is one of the banks that manages Azerbaijani pensions. In 2013, IBA will roll out new ATMs that people can use to draw out their pensions more easily.
Investment management
The bank maintains a balanced portfolio of investment companies:
Construction
The bank has also financed Akkord Industry Construction Investment Corporation, an Azeri construction company.
Energy
IBA has played a significant financial role with the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR). In 2011, total liabilities of SOCAR to IBA amounted to 680 million manat.
Manufacturing
In June 2012, it was reported in the Azeri-Press News Agency that the bank has financed construction of a weaving factory in the United Arab Emirates.
Methanol
IBA has provided capital financing to AzMeCo, an Azerbaijani methanol production company. In November 2012, AzMeCo signed a contract with BP for the sale, purchase and marketing of methanol produced at the AzMeCo plant in Azerbaijan. The process will begin in 2013.
The cost of the plant construction will be US$360 million.
Mining
Gold mining company Anglo-Asian Mining PLC got $30 million from IBA to construct an “agitation leaching plant.†IBA has provided Anglo-Asian Mining with a letter of intent that states the bank may provide up to an additional $42 million. The company will build the plant on the Gadabay gold and copper mine
International operations
In May 2008, the bank became the Azerbaijan source for the issuance of Eurobonds and American Express credit cards. In July 2008, the bank received permission from the U.S. Federal Reserve Board to open a representative office in New York City. The bank is expanding internationally. In the first six months of 2012, direct investment into Azerbaijan increased to $2.2 billion, which was a 27 percent increase over the same period a year earlier.
Organizational structure
The bank is structured around a boards, committees, departments, branches and sub-branches, representative offices and the bank's chief directors.
Syndicated Murabaha financing entity
As of April 2013, the Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions (AAOIFI) had approved the International Bank of Azerbaijan as a certified Islamic banking institution. IBA is now the only bank in Azerbaijan with the certification by AAOFI.
History
On July 21, 2013, it was reported that Barwa Bank, Emirates NBD Capital Limited, J.P. Morgan Limited, and Noor Islamic Bank PJSC invested $120.5 million (U.S. dollars) into and created a syndicated Murabaha financing entity for the IBA.
Definition
According to Investopedia, Murabaha is a loan that does not charge interest; instead, an intermediary holds ownership of the property until the buyer pays off the loan.
Azerbaijan's importance in the market
In October 2012, Azer News reported that Azerbaijan is becoming a regional center for Islamic financing. According to the article, "Islamic financing is one of the fastest-growing segments of the global financial services industry worldwide. The International Bank of Azerbaijan (IBA), the country’s leading bank, has recently established an Islamic banking department..."
Program offerings
The bank offers Murahaba (transactions with precious metals), Mudaraba (deposit transactions), Vakala (financial services), Icara (leasing), and Qard-al-Hasan (customer service).
The IBA would use proceeds from the entity to finance its line of Shariah-compliant loans.
Qibla
In 2013, IBA created a credit and debit card geared toward Islamic customers. The card, known as Qibla, has a digital compass that points to Mecca.
Subsidiaries
The bank owns several subsidiaries which include direct subsidiary banks of IBA and non-banking sector companies.
IBA-Georgia
International Bank of Azerbaijan-Georgia ("IBA-Georgia")is a subsidiary bank of IBA in Tbilisi, Georgia, founded in 2007. The bank offers depository and commercial banking. Services include currency exchange, money transfer, deposits, and credit. Between July 2013 and 2014, IBA-Georgia's net profit and total capital increased by 145 percent and 15 percent, respectively.
IBA-Georgia is a member of the Tbilisi Interbank Stock Exchange, Association of Banks of Georgia, and the Banking Association for Central and Eastern Europe.
IBA-Moscow
IBA-Moscow is a subsidiary bank of the IBA in Moscow, Russia, that was started in 2002. The primary purpose is to deepen trade and economic ties between Russia and Azerbaijan and to provide services to Azerbaijani citizens who live in Russia. The bank is located at 125009, Moscow, ul. Tverskaya, 6, str. 2.
Non-banking sector investment companies
These investments include:
- Akkord Industry Construction Investment Corporation
- AzeriCard Ltd.
- AzMeCo
- AzQTel
- Inter Glass
- International Insurance Company
Technology
The bank is implementing a new ATM management system. Naumen Service Desk, which is a subsidiary of Naumen Company, is developing the system for IBA. Naumen is a software developer based in Russia. IBA and Naumen are leading Azerbaijan toward implementation of virtualization technology across multiple industries.
Public affairs
Awards and recognition
The bank has received awards and recognition from organizations around the world. Some of these include the following:
Best Bank in Azerbaijan
IBA was named the Best Bank in Azerbaijan by Global Finance magazine in 2012 and 2014. The criteria for winning included assets growth, profitability, strategic development, customer service, competitive advantages and innovative products. Global Finance describes the rankings: "The winners are not always the biggest banks but rather the bestâ€"those with the qualities that corporations should look for when choosing a bank. These are banks with effective risk management systems, quality service and best practices in corporate governance."
Best Local Bank
In May 2013, the bank was named “Best Local Bank†by EMEA Finance magazine. Each year, EMEA Finance gives “best bank†awards to banks in more than 20 different categories.
Investment Angel
In 2011, at the International Banking Conference of CIS, the International Organization of Creditors awarded IBA with the Investment Angel award.
Top 200 in Eurasia
In 2012, IBA was ranked number 38 in "Top 200 Banks in Eurasia" by Business New Europe magazine. IBA is the only bank from Azerbaijan included on the list.
World's Best Emerging Market Banks
In 2012, Global Finance magazine named IBA as one of the World’s Best Emerging Market Banks in Asia.
Community involvement
In 2012, IBA began sponsoring an annual youth soccer tournament each summer. In 2013, the tournament will be held at Shafa Stadium from June 17â€"22. In 2012, 130 children from youth teams of professional soccer clubs in 8 countries attended. The countries were Azerbaijan, Turkey, Georgia, Sweden, Russia, Bulgaria, Ukraine and Estonia.
Cross-promotions
The bank runs a promotion with Visa, Inc. called “'Pay by card Visa abroad and win a prize!†The bank gives prizes such as iPhones to customers who use their credit card outside of Azerbaijan. In 2013, the bank partnered with Azercell and Visa for a joint promotion. The promotion gave free cell phone minutes to customers if they pay their cell phone bill with an IBA Visa debit card.
Memberships
IBA is a member of the following professional organizations and systems:
- Azerbaijan Banks Association (ABA)
- Baku Interbank Currency Exchange (BICEX)
- Baku Stock Exchange (BSE)
- Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT)
- International payment system MasterCard International
- International payment system VISA International
- International payment system American Express
- International information system Reuters
- Banking Association for Central and Eastern Europe (BACEE)
- Global Growth Companies Community (GGC)
- World Economic Forum (WEF)
Partnerships
Some prominent businesses and organizations that have partnered with IBA include the following:
American Express
On November 3, 2012, it was reported that the IBA and American Express have signed an exclusive cooperation deal. "According to the International Bank of Azerbaijan, this agreement will become a new step in the development of relations between International Bank of Azerbaijan and American Express."
Baku stock exchange
IBA also holds a 47.6% ownership interest in Joint Leasing Closed Corporation and a 20% ownership interest in Baku Interbank Stock Exchange. Joint Leasing has 30 percent of the leasing market share in Azerbaijan, and its portfolio is valued at around $44 million.
MasterCard
In April 2013, IBA began issuing MasterCard debit cards. The debit card lines include standard MasterCard, MasterCard gold, and MasterCard platinum.
Microsoft
In 2013, IBA and the Microsoft Corporation signed a long-term enterprise agreement. The agreement allows IBA to use Microsoft software on its computer systems.
See also
- Azerbaijan
- Azerbaijani manat
- Banking in Azerbaijan
- Central Bank of Azerbaijan
- Economy of Azerbaijan
- List of banks in Azerbaijan
Notes
References
External links
- International Bank of Azerbaijan web site