Habib Bank AG Zurich
 | |
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Financial services |
| Founded | 25 August 1967 |
| Headquarters | Zürich, Switzerland |
Key people | Muhammad H. Habib (Chairman) Mohamedali R. Habib (CEO) Hasan Habib (President) |
| Products |
|
| Owner | Mohamedali Habib Family |
Number of employees | ~7,000 |
| Parent | Gefan Finanz AG |
| Subsidiaries | HABIBMETRO |
| Website | www |
Habib Bank AG Zurich is a privately owned bank founded in 1967 in Zurich, Switzerland, by Hyder Mohamedali Habib, son of the Bank’s patriarch, Mahomedali Habib.[1] The Bank’s origins go back to 1941 when Mahomedali Habib established the first Habib family bank,[2] which laid the foundation for Habib Bank AG Zurich. The Bank remains to this day in the hands and under the leadership of Mahomedali's descendants.
Muhammad H. Habib[3] serves as the President, while Mohamedali R. Habib[4] is the Group CEO. Andreas Länzlinger[5] was elected to the Bank’s Board of Directors in 2008 and has been Chairman of the Board since 2013.
Habib Bank AG Zurich’s head office is located in Zurich, with branch operations in Kenya and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and subsidiaries in Canada, Hong Kong SAR, Pakistan, South Africa, and the United Kingdom (UK). The Bank also has representative offices in Bangladesh, China, Hong Kong, Pakistan, and Türkiye.
As of 31 December 2024, the Bank employed a total of 7,904 people in 587 offices.
History
[edit]- 1967: Habib Bank AG Zurich was incorporated in Zurich, Switzerland, as an independent bank affiliated with Habib Bank (Overseas) Limited.
- 1974: Habib Bank AG Zurich expanded its international footprint by establishing branches in the UAE[6] and the UK.
- 1978: Habib Bank AG Zurich began its operations in Kenya.
- 1979: Habib Bank AG Zurich Finance Limited was incorporated in Hong Kong[7] as a deposit-taking company (DTC), marking its presence in the Asian market.
- 1989: Habib Bank AG Zurich opened a branch in Pakistan.
- 1995: Habib Bank AG Zurich started its operations in South Africa with its first major investment in the country by a Swiss banking group.
- 2001: Habib Canadian Bank (HCB) was established as a subsidiary of Habib Bank AG Zurich, marking the Bank’s presence in North America.
- 2004: To meet the growing demand for Shariah-compliant financial services, Habib Bank AG Zurich launched Islamic Banking services.[8]
- 2006: Habib Bank AG Zurich's Pakistan operations merged with Metropolitan Bank to form Habib Metropolitan Bank (HABIBMETRO).[9]
- 2017: Habib Bank AG Zurich celebrated the 50th anniversary[10] of its global banking operations, marking half a century of excellence and innovation in serving customers worldwide.
- 2020: Habib Bank AG Zurich's representative office in Shanghai, China, commenced operations.
- 2022: Habib Bank AG Zurich opened a branch in Dubai International Finance Centre (DIFC), further strengthening its presence in one of the leading financial hubs of the world.
- 2023: Habib Bank AG Zurich established a representative office in Istanbul, Türkiye.
- 2024: Habib Bank AG Zurich celebrated the 50th Anniversary of its banking operations in the UAE and the UK. Habib Bank AG Zurich and HABIBMETRO Bank celebrated the 20th Anniversary of Sirat Islamic Banking in Pakistan.
Members of the Board of Directors
[edit]Dr. Andreas Länzlinger
[edit]Chairman since 2013, Board of Directors of Habib Bank AG Zurich since 2008.[11]
Urs Seiler
[edit]Vice-Chairman of the Board since April 2015, Board member since 2012.[12]
Roland Müller-Ineichen
[edit]Chairman of the Audit Committee, Board member since 2018.[13]
Michael Schneebeli
[edit]Chair of the Risk & Control Committee, Board member since 2021.[14]
Ursula Suter
[edit]Former Chairwoman of the Risk & Control Committee (2013-2024), Board member since 2012.[15]
Members of General Management
[edit]Muhammad H. Habib
[edit]Member of General Management at Habib Bank AG Zurich since 1992 and Group President since February 2011.[16]
Mohamedali R. Habib
[edit]Group Chief Executive Officer since 2016 and Chairman of the Board of Directors at HABIBMETRO since 2015.[17]
Ertugrul Tüfekci
[edit]Member of General Management since February 2025, and Head of Shared Services since May 2025.[18]
Mohsin Ali Nathani
[edit]Member of General Management and Head of Asian Markets and Canada since June 2024.[19]
Arif Usmani
[edit]Member of General Management and Group Chief Risk Officer since 2023.[20]
Global Network
[edit]Branches, Subsidiaries and Representative Offices
- Switzerland – Head Office
- Kenya – 4 Branches
- UAE – 8 Branches, 1 Subsidiary, DIFC Branch
- Canada – 3 Branches
- Hong Kong – 2 Branches, 1 Rep Office
- Pakistan – 500+ Branches, Rep Office
- South Africa – 8 Branches
- United Kingdom – 8 Branches
- Bangladesh – Rep Office – Dhaka
- China – Rep Office – Shanghai
- Türkiye – Rep Office – Istanbul
Key Services / Products
[edit]- Commercial Banking: Banking solutions for businesses, including loans, payment solutions, and account management.
- Trade Finance: Trade financing services for businesses and financial institutions worldwide.
- Personal Banking: Personal banking solutions for individual clients.
- Financial Institutions/Correspondent Banking: Global correspondent-banking services for international trade requirements.
- Wealth Management: Investment, asset and wealth management services for clients.
- Islamic Banking: Shariah-compliant financial solutions under Global Islamic Banking brand ‘Sirat’. ‘Sirat’ is available currently in 5 countries within the Habib Bank AG Zurich network.
Awards and Recognitions
[edit]- Habib Bank AG Zurich was awarded the Best Zurich-Based Private Bank at WealthBriefing Swiss Awards – 2025[21]
- Habib Bank AG Zurich was featured in The Banker magazine’s prestigious Top 1000 World Banks list in 2024[22]
- HABIBMETRO received Best Bank for Islamic Conversion Strategy in Pakistan at Islamic Retail Banking Awards - 2024[23]
- HABIBMETRO received Domestic Cash Management Bank of the Year - Pakistan 2024 at Asian Banking & Finance Awards[24]
- Habib Bank AG Zurich - Kenya received Digital Banker of the Year at Africa Fintech Forum – 2024
- Habib Bank Zurich plc received Most Innovative Islamic Bank in the UK and HBZ received IFN Egypt Deal of the Year at the IFN Awards in 2024
- Habib Bank AG Zurich received Client Initiative Award at WealthBriefing Swiss Awards – 2024[25]
- HABIBMETRO received Top 25 Companies Award at Pakistan Stock Exchange – 2023
- Habib Bank Zurich plc received Best SME Bank, Best Customer Service Bank, and Best Islamic Bank by World Economic Magazine - 2024
Notable Events
[edit]- 50 Years in the UAE
- 50 Years in the UK
Subsidiaries
[edit]Canada
[edit]Habib Canadian Bank: 3 Branches
Hong Kong
[edit]2 Branches & Representative Office
Pakistan
[edit]HABIBMETRO: 500+ Branches & Representative Office
South Africa
[edit]UK
[edit]Habib Bank Zurich Plc: 8 Branches
Philanthropy
[edit]Pakistan
[edit]- Habib University, Pakistan
- Indus Hospital, Pakistan
- SIUT Trust, Pakistan
- Patient Aids Foundation, Pakistan
South Africa
[edit]- Sunfield Home School, South Africa
- Mashaka Primary School, South Africa
Switzerland
[edit]- Swiss Red Cross, Switzerland
- Turkish Red Crescent Society, Switzerland
Kenya
[edit]- Sukuma Twende Trust, Kenya
- UN Refugee Agency, Kenya
Canada
[edit]- Max Scholarship Fund, Canada
- International Development and Relief Fund, Canada
Hong Kong
[edit]- THE ONE Humanitarian Award, Hong Kong
- City University, Hong Kong
UK
[edit]- Adab Festival (Pakistan Literature Festival), London, United Kingdom
UAE
[edit]- Pakistan Association Dubai, UAE
ESG Initiatives
[edit]In 2023 and 2024, Habib Bank AG Zurich released its ESG reports outlining its sustainability initiatives and activities.[26]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Habib Bank AG Zurich: Bringing Swiss ethos to the UAE". Khaleej Times. Retrieved 16 May 2025.
- ^ "A tribute to Mohamedali". The Express Tribune. 24 March 2020. Retrieved 16 May 2025.
- ^ "Muhammad H. Habib | President Habib Bank AG Zurich". habibbank.com. Retrieved 16 May 2025.
- ^ "Mohamedali R. Habib } Group CEO Habib Bank AG Zurich". habibbank.com. Retrieved 16 May 2025.
- ^ "Dr. Andreas Länzlinger | Habib Bank AG Zurich Board of Directors". habibbank.com. Retrieved 16 May 2025.
- ^ "Habib Bank AG Zurich celebrates 50th Anniversary". Khaleej Times. Retrieved 16 May 2025.
- ^ Work, Best Places to. "Habib Bank Zurich (Hong Kong), a Restricted Licence Bank, earns the Best Place to Work certification in Hong Kong for 2023". www.prnewswire.com. Retrieved 16 May 2025.
- ^ Tirmizi, Farooq (13 January 2020). "Habib Metropolitan: the proudly old-fashioned bank". Profit by Pakistan Today. Retrieved 16 May 2025.
- ^ Kamran, Sadia (30 July 2020). "Quaid Ke Habib". Aurora Magazine. Retrieved 16 May 2025.
- ^ "Habib Bank AG Zurich celebrates 50th Anniversary". Khaleej Times. Retrieved 16 May 2025.
- ^ "Dr. Andreas Länzlinger | Habib Bank AG Zurich Board of Directors". habibbank.com. Retrieved 19 May 2025.
- ^ "Urs W. Seiler | Habib Bank AG Zurich Board of Directors". habibbank.com. Retrieved 19 May 2025.
- ^ "Roland Müller-Ineichen - Habib Bank AG Zurich". habibbank.com. Retrieved 19 May 2025.
- ^ "Michael Schneebeli - Habib Bank AG Zurich". habibbank.com. Retrieved 19 May 2025.
- ^ "Ursula Suter | Habib Bank AG Zurich Board of Directors". habibbank.com. Retrieved 19 May 2025.
- ^ "Muhammad H. Habib | President Habib Bank AG Zurich". habibbank.com. Retrieved 19 May 2025.
- ^ "Mohamedali R. Habib } Group CEO Habib Bank AG Zurich". habibbank.com. Retrieved 19 May 2025.
- ^ "Ertugrul Tüfekci - Habib Bank AG Zurich". Retrieved 19 May 2025.
- ^ "Mohsin Ali Nathani | General Management Habib Bank AG Zurich". habibbank.com. Retrieved 19 May 2025.
- ^ "Arif Usmani | General Management Habib Bank AG Zurich". habibbank.com. Retrieved 19 May 2025.
- ^ "The 12th WealthBriefing Swiss Awards 2025". Clearview Publishing. Retrieved 19 May 2025.
- ^ "Top 1000 World Banks 2024 – Rankings by bank". www.thebanker.com. Retrieved 19 May 2025.
- ^ Awards (IRBA), Islamic Retail Banking. "winners". Islamic Retail Banking Awards (IRBA). Retrieved 19 May 2025.
- ^ Reporter, Staff (5 July 2024). "Outstanding banking and finance industry champions crowned at Asian Banking & Finance Awards 2024 | Asian Banking & Finance". asianbankingandfinance.net. Retrieved 19 May 2025.
- ^ "The 11th Annual WealthBriefing Swiss Awards 2024". Clearview Publishing. Retrieved 19 May 2025.
- ^ "Corporate Publications | Habib Bank AG Zurich Group". habibbank.com. 28 November 2023. Retrieved 19 May 2025.
