Blom Bank
BLOM Bank is one of Lebanon's largest privately held banks, founded in 1951, providing commercial, retail, investment, Islamic, and insurance services to individuals, SMEs, and corporations in Lebanon and select Middle Eastern and European markets.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1951
- HeadquartersBeirut, Lebanon
- Headcount1,001–5,000
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Blom Bank does
BLOM Bank is a privately held Lebanese bank established in 1951 and headquartered in Beirut, operating as a Société Anonyme Libanaise (S.A.L.). It provides comprehensive commercial and retail banking services to individuals, SMEs, and corporate clients in Lebanon and across multiple jurisdictions in the Middle East and Europe. The bank is one of the largest in Lebanon and has been repeatedly named Best Bank in Lebanon by major international financial publications.
The group operates through four pillars: (1) core commercial and retail banking with dedicated corporate, SME, syndicated loan, and retail divisions; (2) BLOMINVEST BANK, the investment banking subsidiary offering private banking, asset management, brokerage, capital markets, and research (including the proprietary BLOM PMI economic indicator); (3) BLOM Development Bank, a full-fledged Islamic bank established in 2006 offering Sharia-compliant products including Murabaha, Ijara, Tawaruk, and Istisna'a; and (4) AROPE Insurance, providing life, health, motor, marine, property, and liability coverage. Digital distribution is delivered through the eBLOM online and mobile banking platform and BLOMPay, which was the first NFC-based mobile card payment service of its kind in Lebanon when launched on the eBLOM app for Android.
BLOM generates revenue from interest income on lending (commercial, retail, and corporate facilities), fee-based banking services, investment banking commissions via BLOMINVEST, Sharia-compliant financing income from BLOM Development Bank, and insurance premiums via AROPE. The bank's go-to-market relies on a multi-channel model combining an extensive domestic branch and ATM network, digital self-serve channels (eBLOM, BLOMPay, SMS alerts), and a customer service center. It has historically pursued a conservative banking posture with strong relationship management across the Levant and wider region, though it has narrowed its geographic footprint in recent years, divesting its Egypt subsidiary to Bank ABC for approximately USD 427 million in 2021 and closing Iraq operations amid the Lebanese financial crisis.
Blom Bank firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Blom Bank
- Legal name
- BLOM BANK S.A.L.
- Website
- https://blombank.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1951
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1,001–5,000 employees
- Short description
- BLOM Bank is one of Lebanon's largest privately held banks, founded in 1951, providing commercial, retail, investment, Islamic, and insurance services to individuals, SMEs, and corporations in Lebanon and select Middle Eastern and European markets.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Blom Bank industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Retail Banking
- NAICS
- Commercial Banking (52211), Depository Credit Intermediation (5221), Portfolio Management and Investment Advice (523940)
- SIC
- National Commercial Banks (6021)
- akta.pro primary industry
- SME Deposits & Business Accounts (Operating, Savings, CDs) (FSABABAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Affluent / Mass-Affluent Private Banking (FSABADAC), Islamic Corporate Banking (FSABAGAC)
Keywords
Where Blom Bank is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Beirut
- HQ country
- Lebanon
- HQ region
- Middle East
Offices1 record
Markets served
Blom Bank business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Interest Income: Traditional banking interest income from lending activities including commercial loans, retail loans, and corporate financing facilities.
- Fee-based Banking Services: Commission income from various banking services including account management, transactions, and service charges.
- Investment Banking (BLOMINVEST): Revenue from investment banking services including capital markets, asset management, brokerage, private banking, and real estate services.
- Islamic Banking (BLOM Development Bank): Sharia-compliant banking services including Murabaha, Ijara, Tawaruk, Forward Lease, Wakala and Istisna'a financing solutions.
- Insurance Services (AROPE): Insurance products including life, personal accident, healthcare, motor, marine, property, and liability insurance through AROPE subsidiary.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels10 records
Marketing channels5 records
Blom Bank product offering
Product offeringCore offering
BLOM Bank is a Lebanese universal bank offering a comprehensive range of financial services through multiple specialized divisions. Its core offerings include commercial and corporate banking (corporate facilities, SME banking, syndicated loans), retail banking (accounts, loans, cards), investment banking via BLOMINVEST BANK (private banking, asset management, brokerage, research), Sharia-compliant Islamic banking via BLOM Development Bank (Murabaha, Ijara, Mudaraba), and insurance products via AROPE. Services are delivered through a domestic branch network, ATMs, and digital channels (eBLOM Online/Mobile Banking, BLOMPay NFC payments).
Product overview
BLOM Bank operates as a comprehensive banking group offering a unified platform of financial services through multiple specialized divisions. The core commercial and retail banking products serve individuals and corporate clients, while subsidiary brands extend capabilities: BLOMINVEST BANK provides investment banking, asset management, private banking, and research services; BLOM DEVELOPMENT BANK offers Islamic banking products (Murabaha, Ijara, Mudaraba); and AROPE provides insurance solutions. Digital banking is delivered through the eBLOM platform (online and mobile), with mobile payments via BLOMPay. The bank also publishes the BLOM PMI economic indicator. This structure combines universal banking with specialized subsidiaries for investment, Islamic, and insurance services, all accessible through a network of branches, ATMs, and digital channels.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- BLOMINVEST BANK: Investment banking arm offering private banking, investment banking, asset management, brokerage, real estate and research services
- BLOM DEVELOPMENT BANK
- AROPE
- eBLOM
- BLOMPay
Products and services
- Corporate Banking Corporate banking division providing tailor-made facilities for corporate clients including lending services and relationship banking. The highly experienced and specialized team serves corporate clients with customized financing solutions.
- SMEs Banking Banking services for Small & Medium Enterprises requesting commercial direct facilities. Targets business owners requiring business financing, commercial facilities, and growth capital.
- Syndicated Loans Loan syndication services handling loans from origination to distribution, participating in loans both locally and regionally. Supports corporate financing needs through syndicated structures.
- Retail Banking Comprehensive range of banking solutions for individual customers including accounts, loans, cards, and business solutions. Serves individual consumers requiring personal banking services including everyday banking needs, personal financing, and digital banking convenience.
- BLOMINVEST BANK (Investment Banking Services) Investment banking arm offering Private Banking, Investment Banking, Asset Management, Brokerage, Real Estate, and Research services under one roof. One of few institutions in the Levant region providing this comprehensive range. Targets clients seeking investment banking, wealth management, and capital markets services.
- BLOM Development Bank (Islamic Banking) Full-fledged Islamic bank established in February 2006 and operational since March 2007, providing comprehensive Islamic banking services including the acceptance of deposits and provision of various Islamic financing solutions (Murabaha, Ijara, Tawaruk, Forward Lease, Wakala, Istisna'a, Mudaraba).
- AROPE Insurance Insurance services provider offering Life & Personal Accident, Healthcare, Motor, Marine, Property, Liabilities, and Takaful Insurance products. Member of BLOM Bank Group operating in the Lebanese insurance market since 1974.
- eBLOM Online Banking Digital banking platform providing online and mobile banking services including account management, transfers, and bill payments. Enables customers to manage accounts, conduct transactions, and access banking services remotely.
- eBLOM Mobile Banking App Mobile banking application for smartphones enabling banking services on the go, including account access, transaction capabilities, video/audio chat support, ATM locator, and secure authentication.
- BLOMPay Mobile Payment Service NFC-based mobile payment service first launched in Lebanon, enabling BLOM Mastercard cardholders to make contactless payments via NFC-enabled Android mobile phones through the eBLOM app without requiring a separate application download.
Companies that use Blom Bank
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles6 records
Blom Bank technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Blom Bank partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Capital Market Authority (CMA) LebanoncoreBLOMINVEST BANK announced a new partnership with the Capital Market Authority (CMA) to help nurture an educated investor base in Lebanon. The partnership supports the National Virtual Stock Exchange Competition aimed at developing financial literacy among university students.
- USAID LIFE Project (Livelihood and Inclusive Finance Expansion)coreUSAID-funded financial inclusion initiative partnering with BLOM Bank to launch 'Bringing Peace of Mind to LIFE' program, bringing rural clients into BLOM Bank's financial inclusion strategy. The partnership includes BLOM Shabeb/START savings account with no minimum balance requirement and competitive interest rates for low-income individuals.
- MastercardcoreBLOM Bank integrated all BLOM Mastercard credit and debit cards on BLOMPay, enabling cardholders to make NFC payments via Android smartphones through the eBLOM app. This was the first service of its kind in Lebanon, available through the existing eBLOM application without requiring additional downloads.
- MastercardminorJoint marketing campaign for the 2019 UEFA Champions League promotion, encouraging credit card usage through a prize draw for winners to attend Champions League matches.
- VisaminorVisa awarded BLOM Bank the Excellence in Risk Management Award recognizing the bank's customer-friendly policy on unauthorized card transactions.
- AROPE InsurancecoreAROPE is a member of BLOM Bank Group and one of the major players in the Lebanese insurance market since 1974. AROPE provides comprehensive insurance products including life, health, motor, marine, property, and liability insurance.
- BLOMINVEST BANKcoreBLOMINVEST BANK is the investment banking arm of BLOM Bank, offering private banking, investment banking, asset management, brokerage, real estate, and research services. It is one of the most awarded local investment banks.
- BLOM Development BankcoreBLOM Development Bank is a full-fledged Islamic bank established in February 2006 and operational since March 2007, offering Sharia-compliant banking services including Murabaha, Ijara, Tawaruk, Forward Lease, Wakala and Istisna'a.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Blom Bank competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Bank Audi: Bank Audi is the largest private Lebanese bank by assets, directly competing with BLOM across corporate, retail, SME, and private banking in Lebanon and the wider region with a similar universal banking model.
- Fransabank: Fransabank is a top-tier Lebanese bank offering retail, corporate, and Islamic banking (through its acquisition of BLC Bank), directly overlapping with BLOM's product mix and Lebanese customer base.
- Byblos Bank: Byblos Bank is a leading Lebanese commercial bank with overlapping corporate, retail, and SME offerings as well as a presence in Europe and the Middle East, making it one of BLOM's closest domestic peers.
- Bank of Beirut: Bank of Beirut is a mid-to-large Lebanese commercial bank serving retail, corporate, and private banking customers with a comparable branch-based model inside Lebanon.
- Banque Libano-Française (BLF): BLF is a Lebanese bank with universal banking activities (corporate, retail, treasury) and a presence in the Levant and Europe, directly comparable to BLOM's footprint.
- BEMO Bank (Banque Européenne pour le Moyen-Orient): BEMO Bank is a Lebanese commercial and private banking institution with a similar mix of corporate, SME, and wealth management services competing in the same domestic market as BLOM.
Others
- EFG Bank (EFG International): EFG Bank is a Swiss-based private banking and asset management group with Levant and Middle East coverage, providing a comparable benchmark for BLOMINVEST's private banking and wealth management franchise.
Broad incumbents
- Arab Bank: Arab Bank is a large regional banking incumbent with deep presence across the Middle East and a historical footprint in Lebanon, providing a broad incumbent benchmark for BLOM's regional operations.
- Bank ABC (Arab Banking Corporation): Bank ABC is a larger MENA-headquartered banking group that just acquired BLOM's Egypt subsidiary for ~$427M, offering corporate, trade finance, and treasury services overlapping with BLOM's regional ambitions.
Emerging players
- Al Baraka Banking Group: Al Baraka is a Bahrain-headquartered Islamic banking group present in Lebanon and the Levant, serving as a peer for BLOM Development Bank's Sharia-compliant offerings.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Blom Bank social profiles
Digital presenceBlom Bank financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Blom Bank leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Blom Bank subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries3 records
Blom Bank funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Blom Bank M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments1 record
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Blom Bank
What does Blom Bank do?
BLOM Bank is a Lebanese universal bank offering a comprehensive range of financial services through multiple specialized divisions. Its core offerings include commercial and corporate banking (corporate facilities, SME banking, syndicated loans), retail banking (accounts, loans, cards), investment banking via BLOMINVEST BANK (private banking, asset management, brokerage, research), Sharia-compliant Islamic banking via BLOM Development Bank (Murabaha, Ijara, Mudaraba), and insurance products via AROPE. Services are delivered through a domestic branch network, ATMs, and digital channels (eBLOM Online/Mobile Banking, BLOMPay NFC payments).
Is Blom Bank a public or private company?
Blom Bank is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was Blom Bank founded?
Blom Bank was founded in 1951. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.
Where is Blom Bank based?
Blom Bank is headquartered in Beirut, Lebanon, in the Middle East region.
How does Blom Bank make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Interest Income is the primary driver. The others are fee-based Banking Services, investment Banking (BLOMINVEST), islamic Banking (BLOM Development Bank) and insurance Services (AROPE).
Who are Blom Bank's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Bank Audi, Fransabank, Byblos Bank, Bank of Beirut, Banque Libano-Française (BLF) and BEMO Bank (Banque Européenne pour le Moyen-Orient). EFG Bank (EFG International) is listed as an others. Broad incumbents are Arab Bank and Bank ABC (Arab Banking Corporation). Al Baraka Banking Group is listed as an emerging player.
Does Blom Bank have an API?
No public API is recorded for Blom Bank.
What industry is Blom Bank in?
Blom Bank's product category is Retail Banking. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSABABAC, SME Deposits & Business Accounts (Operating, Savings, CDs), with a secondary code of FSABADAC, Affluent / Mass-Affluent Private Banking. Its NAICS code is 52211 and its SIC code is 6021.