Awards of Excellence
Western Europe regional awards
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Best Bank and Investment Bank: Fortis |
Fortis has been in the headlines a lot this year, thanks to its participation in the consortium that is seeking to break up ABN Amro. The deal, however, has overshadowed the main story at the Belgian bank over the past year, which has been its impressive improvement in profitability in its international and domestic operations. Key to the bankassurer’s success, say analysts, has been CEO Jean Paul Votron’s success in getting more from his staff, which has helped management to meet some of its key targets ahead of schedule.
Although domestic rival KBC has been doing well in central and eastern Europe, Fortis has been the star performer of the past 12 months.
Although the Belgian market means less and less to the country’s biggest financial institutions, which have long since expanded abroad, when it comes to investment banking the domestic market remains crucial.
Fortis ranks number one for equity capital markets issuance in Belgium and is also the third most successful bookrunner in the country’s debt capital markets, giving its claim to the award of best investment bank strong credibility.
