Israel

Awards of Excellence
Middle Eastern regional awards

Best Bank: Bank Hapoalim Best Investment Bank: Merrill Lynch

Bank Hapoalim has been active locally and internationally this year and wins the award for best bank for its impressive moves into risky, emerging markets. Last October, the bank bought a $100 million controlling share investment in Turkey’s Bank Pozitif. Hapoalim is also planning to buy Demire Kazakhstan Bank. In 2006 Hapoalim’s net profits rose 16.3%, largely because of a surge in financing activity.