Sharjah, UAE; April 23, 2012: Bank of Sharjah P.S.C. today announced that it has finalized and signed a cooperation agreement with Commerzbank International S.A. to set up a new Private Banking Wealth Management (PBWM) division.

The agreement stipulates that Commerzbank will provide the customers of Bank of Sharjah with the ability to benefit from its expertise, range of products and investment solutions in the field of wealth management. Under this agreement, Commerzbank International S.A. will support the management of the newly formed division. The cooperation agreement will also give customers of Bank of Sharjah access to Commerzbank's subsidiary in Luxembourg, specializing in managing wealth, precious metals and asset structuring.

The agreement was signed by Mr. Varouj Nerguizian, Executive Board Member and General Manager, on behalf of Bank of Sharjah, and by Mr. Falk Fischer, CEO of Commerzbank International S.A. - Luxembourg, on behalf of the European Bank.

In preparation for the launch of the new service, Bank of Sharjah has set-up dedicated high-end premises in Control Tower, Motor City Dubai, which are equipped with state-of-the-art technology.

Mr. Nerguizian declared during the signing ceremony that the establishment of the new division is in line with the bank's strategy to expand and diversify the reach of its financial services in order to maintain its growth momentum.

He highlighted that the new PBWM division will provide the UAE public in general, and Bank of Sharjah clientele in particular, with direct access, through its own facilities, to one of the world's major financial institutions in order to benefit from their expertise, network and technical know-how in the field of Wealth Management.

He further considered that the timing of the launch of this new division is of paramount importance in view of the instability and uncertainty dominating the world financial markets, as it fulfills the need of the local investor for safe and well rewarded investments.

-Ends-

About Bank of Sharjah
Bank of Sharjah P.S.C. was the first commercial bank established in the Emirate of Sharjah.  It is primarily a corporate bank, operating five UAE branches and five branches in Lebanon through its subsidiary, Emirates Lebanon Bank.  The Bank benefits from 15.0% of direct state ownership from the Emirate of Sharjah and maintains an investment grade rating of BBB+ from Fitch.  Total Assets at the end of 2011 amounted to USD 5.7 billion and the capital adequacy ratio stood at 23.12% with a Tier 1 capital ratio of 21.89%.

Commerzbank International S.A in Luxembourg is the centre of competence for international wealth management within the Commerzbank Group.  Commerzbank Group is a leading bank for private and corporate customers in Germany.  It has around 60 sites in 52 countries and serves almost 15 million private clients as well as 1 million business and corporate clients worldwide. In 2011, it posted gross revenues of almost EUR 10 billion with 58,160 employees.

For further information, please contact:
Liam Turner / Tameem Al Kintar
ASDA'A Burson-Marsteller
Dubai, UAE
Tel: 971-4-3355969 Fax: 971-4-3356080
E-mail: l.turner@asdaa.com / t.alkintar@asdaa.com

© Press Release 2012