Lebanon: Fransabank pushes on the frontiers of risk

“Going into countries where the competition is cut-throat or the taxes are high is good for your prestige, but is not nearly as rewarding” Adnan Kassar, Fransabank

Some Lebanese banks have reacted to the fragile political situation at home by growing their businesses in more stable Middle Eastern countries. But the strategy of Fransabank, which has nearly 100 branches in Lebanon, is to exploit its wartime experiences by growing, primarily in retail, in other countries at the lower end of the political risk spectrum.