Previously known as Banque du Liban et d'outre-Mer, BLOM Bank (BLOM) became in 1981 the largest bank in Lebanon with total assets of USD12.6 billion. Established in 1951, BLOM was founded by Hussein Al Oueini, Georges Maalouf, Najib Yafet and Sheikh Boutros El Khoury. BLOM provides commercial banking services and investment banking services through its subsidiary BLOMINVEST Bank.

BLOM expanded its geographic presence, through branch openings and acquisitions, to reach Europe and the Gulf. BLOM started its regional expansion when it established a branch in Jeddah (1952). It established its presence in the UAE, through its French subsidiary Banque BanorabeBanque Banorabe, by establishing its first branch in Dubai (1975), then another in Sharjah (1978). BLOM also established its presence in Muscat (1982). Damascus (2001), Amman (2004). In October 2005, BLOM acquired a 20.4% stake in Bank Misr Romania, acquired the remaining shares by January 2006, and renamed it to BLOM Bank Egypt.BLOM Bank Egypt. BLOM announced plans to double BLOM Bank Egypt's branch network from eight to 16 branches and develop its retail business by the end of 2006. In October 2005, BLOM also increased its stake in Arope Insurance to 88% and announced plans to expand its network into Syria and across the region.

BLOM was included as one of the Dow Jones DIFC Arabia Titans 50 index launched by Dow Jones in 2004. Between years 2000 and 2006, BLOM was chosen every year as the best bank in Lebanon by Euromoney, the Banker, and Global Finance. By the end of 2005, BLOM won the award of "Best Debt House in Lebanon" from Euromoney.

BLOM issued Global Depository Receipts (GDR) on the Luxemburg Stock Exchange in Jan 1998 and on the Beirut Stock ExchangeBeirut Stock Exchange (BSE) in November 2001. In February 2006, BLOM issued an additional 3 million GDR's on the BSE, bringing the total number to 7 million GDR's. BLOM issued preferred shares in 2002, 2004, and 2005; it listed all the preferred shares as well as one third of all common shares on the BSE in August 2006.