HISTORY OF ASKARI COMMERCIAL BANK

The banking sector has witnessed a dramatic change during the last
ten years with the development of Askari Bank, which is not only redefining
priorities and focus of the banks, but also threatening the domination of
traditional players.
The story begins with the incorporation of Askari Commercial Bank
limited in Pakistan on October 09, 1991, Askari Bank Commenced (begin) to
operations in April 1992, as a public limited company. The bank is listed on
the Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad Stock Exchanges and the initial public
offering was over subscribed by 16 times.
While capturing the target market share amongst the view banks,
Askari has provided good value to its shareholders. Its share price has
remained approximately 12% higher than the average share price of quoted
banks during the last four years.

Askari Bank has expanded into a nation wide presence of 83 Branches,

and an Offshore Banking Unit in Bahrain. A shared network of over 800
online ATMs covering all major cities in Pakistan supports the delivery
channels for customer service. As on December 31, 2004, the Bank had
equity of Rs. 6.016 billion and total assets of Rs. 107.168 billion, with over
475,000 banking customers, serviced by a total staff of 2,118.

Askari Bank is the only bank with its operational head office in the twin
cities of Rawalpindi-Islamabad, which have relatively limited opportunities as
compared to Karachi and Lahore. This created its own challenges and
opportunities, and forced as to evolve an outward-looking strategy in terms
of Askari market emphasis. As a result, Askari developed a geographically
diversified assets base instead of a concentration and heavy reliance on
business in the major commercial centers of Karachi and Lahore, where
most other banks have their operational Head offices.

MOTIVATION OF ASKARI COMMERCIAL BANK

While successfully penetrating the key domestic markets through

strategic expansion and business diversification they remain alive to the
challenge emanating from the development in the global financial markets;
the opportunities and threats engendered by greater deregulation and
increased customer expectations. These provide them the impetus
(moment) to make the best use of available resources, including modern
technologies, to meet the challenges ahead.
Historically, Askari’s core marketing focus for its asset base has been
the middle and upper middle business houses (including wholesalers and
manufacturers) operating in the large urban centers of Pakistan, which are
primarily oriented towards foreign trade. This segment constitutes significant
revenues to the bank. The liability side remains focused on the middle and
upper middle class retired and serving government and armed forces
personal and mid-size business houses.
Their corporate banking division was established in April 1999 with the
primary focus on servicing large corporate and multi-national companies
(MNCs). Benefiting from the bank’s growing balance sheet size, this division
B now gaining momentum and their long-term aim D to develop it into an
independent.
Strategic business unit (SBU)… This would the bank to acquire,
develop and specialized abilities, and enhance their focus on serving the
emerging needs of the corporate clients.
With this branch network of 75 and further expected increase in
future, the ATM’s facility and internet Banking, Askari Bank’s reach is ever
increasing. In recognition of this reach, they have set up a retail-banking
group in July 2000, the mobile ATM’s facility is first time started by Askari
commercial bank in 2005 dedicated to serving the urban consumer market;
Askari is committed to aggressively market this segment. The strategy is to
provide their customers with a basket of innovative products to meet their
varying needs.

Askari Commercial Bank is the only Private Sector bank that has been
approved by the World Bank as a Participating Financial Institution for the
US$ 200 million Line of Credit sanctioned (authorized) to the Government of
Pakistan for the Financial Sector Deepening and Intermediation Project.

Askari's emphasis on further broadening its core foreign trade business

translated into handling a higher volume of Export and Import business of
Rs. 36 billion registering a growth of 42% over the pervious year. This
enhanced foreign trade business was secured due to excellent customer
services and efficient international settlement arrangements with our
correspondent banks.
Askari Bank is operating throughout Pakistan. Most of the branches are
connected through our State of the Art, On-line Communications Network,
which gives the bank a competitive edge in providing instant services to its
clientele. We also offer direct access to the latest Foreign Exchange Rates
through our Online Communications.