According to the data of 2009 Ardshininvestbank is the leader of the banking system of RA by the volume of social benefits in the state budget and the 2^nd bank in the list of the largest taxpayers. During 2009 the total amount of social payments to state budget was 328 million drams and the total amount of tax payments was 2.3 billion drams.
   By the main indicators of activity bank is in top five list in Armenia in 2009. Thus, bank is the 2^nd by total income (1 935 million drams) and by total capital (27 335 million drams). Ardshininvestbank is the 4^th by the volume of total assets and the 5^th by the volume of total obligations in the banking system of RA . 
  The chairman of Ardshininvestbank Nerses Karamanukyan said: “We’ve successfully completed a difficult year of 2009. The international financial crisis has had its impact both on economy of Armenia in general and on banking system in particular. Ardshininvestbank, faithfully fulfilling social and tax obligations, continues supporting the state in implementation of social programs”.

          Ardshininvestbank was granted with a certificate by MoneyGram money transfer system to certify as the most trusted bank. 

           Ardshininvestbank has been collaborating with MoneyGram system from the very establishment of the Bank and, together with the system, it periodically provides with various campaigns during which they were granted with money gifts plastic cards, tour tickets and many other gifts. MoneyGram system has a decades’ history and is one of the money transfer leaders. The system is presenting in around 190 countries and has 186,000 service points.

          As Nerses Karamanukyan, the Chairman of the Bank said: “The certificate granted by MoneyGram system obliges us to continue being reliable not only for our foreign colleges but also for all our customers. I am confident that collaboration with Money Gram is going to be stable and mutually beneficial”.

 As from December 14 Ardshininvestbank will make money transfers via “Bistraya Pochta” transfer system in Russian Rubles as well, in addition to transfers in USD and Euro currencies.
            Ardshininvestbank has been cooperating with “Bistraya Pochta” money transfer system since 2006. The system operates in CIS countries and has over 5000 service points.
            Cooperating with numerous international money transfer systems, the Bank attempts to make wider money transfer opportunities for its Customers.
            The Chairman of the management board Nerses Karamanukyan said:
          - “Bistraya Pochta” became the third system by which we make transfers in Russian Rubles as well. Ranking among the leaders in money transfer realm, Ardshininvestbank makes transfers via many other well-known international money transfer systems, such as Contact, MoneyGram, Migom, IntelExpress, RIA, as well as cooperates with Russian Promsvyazbank, Socgorbank, Fora bank and Sberbank.

Cooperating with many renowned and famous international money transfer systems, Ardshininvestbank always makes pleasant surprises to the Customers using the services of the bank and endeavors to ease the pre-holiday doings.
  Today the charges for money transfers via Contact system are 2% versus 3% before.
“We hold the partnership with numerous international money transfer systems, as well as with well-known Russian banks attempting to provide with broader money transfer opportunities to our Customers. I think the decrease in the commission charges for Contact transfer system is a pleasant New Year surprise to all our Customers”, - the Chairman of the management board Nerses Karamanukyan has mentioned.
       Ardshininvestbank has been cooperating with Contact since the establishment, and transfers to Armenia and visa versa via Contact system are made in Russian Rubles, US dollars and Euro.
In conclusion, Contact money transfer system operates in 86 countries and has more than 40 thousand service points.

Ardshininvestbank is donating AMD 15 million to “Hayastan” All-Armenian Fund. The bank cooperates with the Fund since the establishment and totally has donated AMD 104 million during 6-year period.
            As the Chairman of the management board Nerses Karamanukyan mentioned: “The cooperation with “Hayastan” All-Armenian fund is both pleasant and responsible process. It is pleasant, because the Bank has its share in the plentiful patriotic actions. It is very responsible, as well, because all the programs organized by the Fund, are premeditated for the future generation. I think that the cooperation with “Hayastan” All-Armenian Fund will continue to be efficient and nationally oriented."

As the results of the nine months of the current year show Ardshinivestbank is the first by the volume of tax paid and holds 16th position among the largest taxpayers. Ardshininvestbank made AMD 1.98 billion state budget payments for  period June-September 2009.
           As the results of the nine months of 2009 show, Ardshininvestbank held its position among the leaders in the RA banking system in terms of the main indicators. So, the bank is the second in terms of the net profit –  AMD 1528.9 million and total equity – AMD 26659.9 million, the bank is the third in terms of the assets(AMD 122861.1 million) and total liabilities(AMD 96201.2 million).

    IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, signed an advisory services agreement with Armenia’s Ardshininvestbank to help improve the bank’s risk management practices and increase lending to smaller businesses.
The agreement is part of IFC’s broader regional crisis-response initiative focused on strengthening the banking sector to make it more sustainable.
    Ardshininvestbank is among the top three banks in Armenia and has an extensive branch network.  In light of the recent financial crisis, IFC is helping the bank enhance its capacity to deal with nonperforming loans, mitigate risks, and strengthen its lending to local entrepreneurs and small and medium enterprises to stimulate economic development and job creation.
   “As a leading Armenian bank, Ardshininvestbank has attached great importance to risk assessment and management practices since its establishment,” said Karen Balasanyan, Deputy Chairman of Ardshininvestbank’s Management Board.  “We value very much the cooperation with IFC and are confident that our clients will notice the impact of advisory services rendered by IFC experts in the near future.”
Thomas Lubeck, IFC Regional Head of the Caucasus, said, “We are happy to help one of Armenia’s largest banks address the effects of the global financial crisis and increase the sustainability of its operations. This should create additional opportunities for economic growth in the country.”
  IFC, the largest multilateral financial institution investing in the private sector in emerging markets, has launched a broad and targeted set of initiatives to help private enterprises cope with the global financial and economic crisis. These initiatives aim to coordinate responses by individual institutions, catalyze action and investment from other stakeholders, and provide targeted support through IFC’s investment and advisory services to the sectors most affected.

   On 3rd October a festive ceremony devoted to the 90-th anniversary of Yerevan State University is planned to take place in the hall of the Academic Theater of Opera and Ballet under sponsorship of “Ardshininvestbank” CJSC.
  RA Prime Minister, President of National Assembly of RA, Government Members, Deputies of National Assembly, representatives of Ardshininvestbank managerial body, Rectors of foreign leading universities, other high-ranking guests are attending the ceremony.
   Ardshininvestbank is the sponsor of publication works of “Yerevan State University: chronicle”,as well. This book is the first complete history of the State University that covers the period of 1919-2009.
According to Nerses Karamanukyan, the Chairman of the Management Board of Ardshininvestbank, “The cooperation between Ardshininvestbank and State University has initiated since the very day of the bank foundation. Yerevan State University is one of our best colleagues; many of its students take their internship in our bank. Nowadays, numerous graduates of Yerevan State University work in Ardshininvestbank's Head office and branches. I am confident that from now on as well the mutually beneficial cooperation between Ardshininvestbank and Yerevan State University will have its fruitful continuation”.
  As an evidence of mutually beneficial business relations, as well as formed collaboration, on the same day, 3rd October, during the YSU Academic Council session Yerevan State University will be rewarded with Ardshininvestbank commemorative golden medal on the occasion of its 90-th anniversary.

 The combined team of Head Office was   recognized the winner of Ardshininvestbank’s mini-football championship that took place on September 26 – 27. The championship was held among eight teams, three of which represented the Head office of the Bank, other five – territorial offices.
  The participant teams were competing in two sub-groups, in first of which the territories of Ararat and Avan–Hrazdan were involved, as well as Head Office –audit and Head-Office-combined teams, in the second sub-group – the teams of NKR, the Northern and Yerevan territories, as well as that of Head Office-security. In the evening of the same day, September 26, the four teams - winners of a first tour, participated in a semifinal. On the next day, September 27, the final matches took place. On the same day, the third prize winner team was also defined.
   The winner of championship, the Head Office-combined team, was awarded Ardshininvestbank’s  mini-football challenge cup, prize money and diploma. Other two teams representing the Head Office, also have won prize places. The second place was conferred to Head Office – security  team, the third one – to Head Office team,; all of them were also awarded to prize money and diplomas. The diplomas were also awarded to A. Gyulazyan (Head Office-audit) -  the best shooter of the championship, the best goalkeeper (Head Office–combined) - H. Minasyan, the best forward - M. Babayan (NKR), and the best full-back -  A. Veranyan (the Northern territory). A surprise was prepared for above mentioned persons and G. Mkoyan, the winner team leader: they were granted by the Bank a possibility to make trip to Turkey to view the Turkey – Armenia game to be held on October 14.
    As it was mentioned by Nerses Karamanukyasn, the Chairman of the Ardshininvestbank Management Board, “such a championships not only temper health and callisthenics of the staff, but are fastening their skills and readiness to joint activity and team work. This championship will became traditional, which, I am confident , would become the continuation to the best traditions of Ardshininvestbank”.

 

Today, three customers of Ardshininvestbank are provided with certificates for getting tour tickets. There have been carried out random selection through the drawing organized in September 11. There have been handled certificates at the head office of Ardshininvestbank after summarizing the results of summer cooperative campaign of Ardshininvestbank and MoneyGram. During summer perion(from June 10,2009 to August 31, 2009) each customer getting transfers more than Euro 400 via MoneyGram system is considered as campaign participant. All the participants of the campaign are honored with presents from Ardshininvestbank and MoneyGram system.
         As the Chairman of Ardshininvestbank Nerses Karamanukyan said: “In the sphere of international money transfer Ardshininvestbank cooperates with the leaders only, by offering wide spectrum of low-priced, swift and reliable services. The presents during the whole summer and certificates provided to three winners are the approval of the due diligence, the bank tends to exercise for our customers. Ardshininvestbank will continue to make such pleasant surprises”.
        Besides MoneyGram system, Ardshininvestbank offers You to make money transfers via CONTACT, Migom, Bistraya Pochta, IntelExpress and RIA systems, as well. In this sphere, the bank cooperates with Russian Promsvyazbank, Socgorbank, Forabank and Sberbank.

   Starting from August 24, Ardshininvestbank  makes transfers via new «Ria» money international transfer system. Non-commercial money transfers are considered to make by  physical persons via banks included in «Ria» money international transfer system and 70000 service points operated in 100 countries around the world. Money transfers will be made in  USD and Euro.
   For the present, Ardshininvestbank  is going to make only a payments via  «Ria» system.

Dear Customer!
      Ardshininvestbank has decreased the annual fee for plastic cards of MasterCard international payment system.

      Ardshininvestbank initiated the process for the provision of  VISA INTERNATIONAL cards. The cards are provided in Euro, USD and AMD  currencies, so there was invested two currency exchange system with payment cards (USD and EURO), which give an opportunity to the cardholders of VISA payment cards to make transaction worldwide without any additional currency conversion. It means that the  bank gives an opportunity to the cardholders of VISA payment cards to overcome the currency exchange rate fluctuation.  
   From VISA INTERNATIONAL payment system programs, the Bank offers to its Customers VISA ELECTRON, VISA CLASSIC, VISA GOLD, VISA PLATINUM, VISA INFINITE payment cards.
    VISA Premium cards give an opportunity for an additional exclusive and first-class service, especially  VISA INFINITE cards which are in use for the first time in Armenia. Besides securing air tickets, hotel rooms and car leasing, 90-day medical insurance, various legal and medical advisory,  it makes available the use of concierge services. If required, the cardholders of VISA Premium cards can obtain a new card in case of loss 24 hour a day, and if cash is urgently needed, one can withdraw up to USD 5,000 from 16,000 points worldwide.
   The premium class cardholders of VISA payment system are provided with a right of using credit line at a privileged conditions.
    As the chairman of the management board Nerses Karamanukyan mentioned: “Ardshininvestbank offers to its Customers to use the services of the most famous payment system – VISA INTERNATIONAL, which suggests both convenient  and modern banking services, as well as the services in various points worldwide. The cardholders may use VISA cards both in Armenia and abroad, wherever the logo of VISA INTERNATIONAL is noticeable”.
    Besides VISA, Ardshininvestbank continues offering MasterCard and ArCa payment cards. Currently, by those systems the Bank has provided about 60,000 payment cards and plans to increase it by 10,000.

   In January-June 2009 Ardshininvestbank became the largest taxpayer in the banking system and ranked the 13^th in the list of the largest taxpayers in the RA paying AMD 1.6 billion. Social payments made by Ardshininvestbank amount to AMD 171.3 million. In January-June 2008 Ardshininvestbank ranked the 19^th in the list of the largest taxpayers of the RA paying AMD 1.4 billion.

Nerses Karamanukyan is appointed to the post of the chairman of the management board of Ardshininvestbank.
The chairman of the Bank Board Karen Safaryan mentioned that N. Karamanukyan will become the follower of the best traditions formed in Ardshininvestbank.
In his turn, N. Karamanukyan added that he will share his experience and knowledge, in order to keep the achievements of the Bank, as well as to ensure its future development. He also mentioned: “There are employed experienced and skilled specialists in Ardshininvestbank, with the assistance of which we are going to accomplish serious and important programs. During our future activities both the existing international financial difficulties and economic features of our home country will be taken into the consideration and we will keep on offering the best conditions for bank services to our customers”.
 N. Karamanukyan was born in 1959; he is an economist. He has worked in the staff of the government of the RA, he has also worked as a manager of the financial and economic department of the  Cathedral of S. Echmiatsin. The last eight years N. Karamanukyan was a manager at Yerevan office of International Finance Corporation (IFC is the member of the World Bank). N. Karamanukyan is skilled in Armenian, English and Russian languages. He is married, and has two children.

        Since June 17, Ardshininvestbank has decreased the charges for making money transfers to CIS countries via Contact system from 3% to 2%.
       Contact money transfer system operates in 86 countries around the world; the total number of service points is 30000.
       In December 2008 and February 2009 in cooperation with Contact system, Ardshininvestbank made the campaign “The active customer”, where gifts were presented to 60 most active customers.  
      Currently, Ardshininvestbank makes transfers via IntelExpress, Contact, MoneyGram, Migom, Bistraya Pochta transfer systems, and in this area cooperates with Russian Promsvyasbank, Socgorbank, Fora-bank and Sberbank.
      Soon, the Bank is going to make transfers via RIA money international transfer system, as well.

     Ardshininvestbank continues to enlarge the line of its services.
     Henceforth, starting from June 29, beside the existing international transfer systems, You can also use the service of the international transfer system «Intel Express».

Dear Customers!

Keeping on its best traditions, “Ardshininvestbank” CJSC once again makes a surprise to its customers and in cooperation with MoneyGram international money transfer system, carries out a summer campaign for remittees receiving money in Euro via MoneyGram system. 

• Those, who will receive money in Euro via MoneyGram system in all the branches of Ardshininvestbank, will take part in the campaign.
• The campaign will be in action during the whole summer.
• In September, there will be randomly selected three customers receiving more than Euro 400 via MoneyGram system, and certificates for obtaining two-person tickets will be awarded.
• All the participants of the campaign will be honored  with presents from Ardshininvestbank and MoneyGram system.

 Participate in the campaign just using the services of MoneyGram more frequently.

 We wish You a good luck!
Best regards,
“Ardshininvestbank” CJSC and “MoneyGram” system.

        Today the signing agreement referring IFC’s credit line provision to Ardshininvestbank shaped to financing foreign trade took place in Yerevan, at the head office of Ardshininvestbank.
Sergey Virabyan - the Deputy Chairman of Ardshininvestbank, and Snezhana Stoilkovich - IFC Regional Director for Central and Eastern Europe, signed the agreement.
    Thus, Ardshininvestbank is included in the Global Trade Financing Program (GTFP) and joint the international network of banks rendering standard financial services at the sphere of foreign trade, which promote the development of the foreign trade. The total amount of the credit line is USD 5 million.
         The IFC credit line gives an opportunity to Ardshininvestbank to extend the range of such banking services in the foreign trade sphere, as letter of credit, guarantees, bill of exchange, bank accepts, thereby to diminish the trade risks of Armenian businessmen acting in the sphere of the international trade.
        As the Deputy Chairman of Ardshininvestbank said: “Ardshininvestbank continues deepening the cooperation with International Financial Corporation. In this regard, we rate the credit line provided in the framework of IFC global trade financing program (GTFP) as an immediate successful cooperation certification, due to which Ardshininvestbank will get an opportunity to enlarge its commercial activities, as well as have a proactive participation in the financing sphere of Armenian exporting and importing companies’ activities".

     As a result of such measures, periodic infringements made by Hovik Bakhshyan, the manager of “Goris” branch of Ardshininvestbank, has been detected. As a result of investigation related to the circumstances revealed, a relevant note has been presented to the General Prosecutor’s Office, according to which criminal act has been charged to the manager of “Goris” branch.

   As the acting chairman of the management board said: “The objective of persistently acting severe internal control system is to enhance the working discipline of the employees, as well as protect and improve the customer confidence over the bank”.

         On May 6 the Bank Board satisfied the dismissal notice of A. Andreasyan, the chairman of the management board, who has held the position since March 2003.

In the annual general meeting held in April 28, A. Andreasyan was elected as a board member, and according to the acting legislation, he has no right to manage the positions of the chairman and the member simultaneously. At the same time, A. Andreasyan was assigned as a financial director of the bank management organization of  the parent holding.

In the Board meeting held on May 6, the chief of the Board K. Safaryan, expressed its gratitude to Mr. Andreasyan for two-year and efficient work and, by the decision of the board, he was remunerated with large amount of money reward. Expressing its thanks for the confidence, A. Andreasyan promised to use its experience and knowledge for Holding enterprises, including the future development and progression of Ardshininvestbank.

By the decision of the board, the obligations of the chairman of the management board is set to Gurgen Harutyunyan - the Deputy Chairman of the Management Board and the Director of Territorial Management and Control Department.

     Starting from April 6, 2009 Ardshininvestbank is presenting a new “Dram” deposit.

    The deposit gives an opportunity to save the funds in Armenian Drams. Depositing minimum AMD 300,000, the annual interest rate for the funds invested will make up 12%. Hereafter, an extra 1% will be added to the acting annual interest rate after each 90 days reaching to 15% annually. If 30 days and more are left to deposit payout, You may still increase the deposit fund.

    The “Dram” deposit of Ardshininvestbank gives an opportunity to save Your money and  get a high profit.

   Ardshininvestbank will participate in the World Bank program shaped to support the crediting of small and medium enterprises. The Central Bank of the RA will impose 8-9% annual interest rate for the funds granted by the World bank to the Armenian banks participating in the program.
    The interest rates for the loans provided are determined based on concrete conditions of loan program.
    Another seven banks will act as fund borrowers in the World Bank loan program for small and medium enterprises.

On March 26, 2009 there was signed a loan agreement of USD 10 million among Ardshininvestbank and American WorldBusiness Capital, Inc. company at the Embassy of Armenia in Washington, USA. The loan is supported by OPIC agency of  the USA government.
          The loan is extended for 10-year period for cooperative program implementation aimed at financing small and medium enterprises. Ardshininvestbank is going to invest a USD 2,5 million facility for the current program implementation.
         The loan agreement is signed by Sergey Virabyan, the deputy chairman of the management board of Ardshininvestbank, and Robert Monyak, the executive vice president of WorldBusiness Capital, Inc. company.  The ambassador of  Armenia in the USA Tatul Margaryan, high-ranking responsible officials of OPIC agency and WorldBusiness Capital, Inc. company, the representatives of IFC company – a member of World Bank group, as well as the staff of the Embassy of Armenia in the USA, guests and journalists were present at the signing ceremony.

            In Yerevan, the a/m chairman of the management board Gurgen Harutyunyan commented: “By implementing the current program, Ardshininvestbank will support the development of small and medium enterprises assisting in overcoming the difficulties resulted from international financial crisis. The Bank will continuously develop the international cooperation framework with the aim of attracting funds to Armenian market from abroad, as well as promoting the economic stability in the RA”.

  Since March 18, 2009 the first issuance bond redemption of Ardshininvestbank have taken place. For information about redemption volume, as well as the number of bonds in circulation, please visit “Bonds” section of  “Services” menu item.

         On March 20, 2009 the reopening ceremony of the renovated and modernized “Yeghegnadzor” branch of Ardshininvestbank took place.
         The branch is supplies with modern high quality  techniques and is ready to render high-speed and reliable services. The branch serves about 3,000 customers, including both state and private organizations and citizens.
          As Sergey Virabyan, the a/m Chairman of the management board mentioned: “There are created equal conditions for all our customers in all the branches including both the capital city and the marzes. All the employees of “Yeghegnadzor” branch have a compliant professional education and are ready for assisting the Customers to make use of our reliable and high quality services. I think that a few of the reps of Armenian banks may be proud of having such a representative building”.
            The  Chairman of the Bank Board Karen Safaryan, the a/m Chairman of the management board Sergey Virabyan, the chiefs of departments and divisions, as well as other high rankng guests have left for Yeghegnadzor to participate in the reopening ceremony of “Yeghegnadzor” branch.
            During the reopening ceremony the marzpet of Vayots Dzor Vardges Matevosyan made a speech and emphased that the activity of such a reliable and powerful bank as Ardshininvestbank considerably supports and assists the development of the different spheres of the economy in the marz.  
          The representatives of business realms of Vayots Dzor, educational and cultural spheres were present at the ceremony as well.

 

       Ardshininvestbank accomplished the first coupon disbursement of the first issuance bonds at AMD 250 per each bond.

      The volume of the current bond issuance was AMD 1.5 billion, which was fully allocated on December 5, 2008. The coupon yield will be disbursed quarterly; the second disbursement will take place on June 5, 2009; the third disbursement – on September 5, 2009, and the fourth disbursement as well as bond payoff will take place on December 5, 2009. The annual bond yield for bonds is 10%.

     Taking into consideration the successful course of the first issuance bond allocation, Ardshininvestbank plans to conduct the second bond issuance.

The Staff of Ardshininvestbank congratulates the women
 with the International Women’s Day.
Dear Ladies!
We wish you a good health,
endless love, woman's happiness and coup...

Now  the  payments via  MoneyGram  system are  also  made  in  EURO.

     Ardshininvestbank in partnership with CONTACT system presented pleasant souvenirs to thirty winners of the second stage of “Active Customer” promo campaign. 
     All individuals who sent or received money via “Contact” system took part in campaign. The campaign started on 15 November 2008. The results of the first stage were announced on December 15, 2008. 
     As the acting Chairman of the Management  Board mentioned: “‘It is not secret that private remittances sent to Armenia are not only the main livelihood of our compatriots but also a possibility for many of them to set up their own small businesses. By attaching great importance to this fact Ardshininvestbank strives to provide affordable and reliable services of international remittances and contribute to the improvement of  living conditions of our compatriots”.

The best customer manager of Ardshininvestbank (Marine Davtyan, “Erebuni” branch) for 2008 was ceremonially awarded with a certificate and a souvenir. By the decision of the bank execution, M. Davtyan will also take part in two seminars organized by “T&D” (Training and Development) consulting company.
            Ardshininvestbank is among the first in Armenian banking system having the Institute of customer managers in its structure since January, 2008. Today the bank employs 8 customer managers in 4 branches and in the head office. At the same time there are carried out some actions to improve and develop the institute by attracting new qualified specialists.
            The main purpose of Customer managers’ job is the development of relationship between the Bank and Corporate Customers, as well as the attraction of new potential customers.
            As the chairman of the management board of Ardshininvestbank mentioned: “It is very significant the role of the customer managers in the banking sphere. The only way of getting in good relations with all of our customers is making more long-term and bilateral relations with each other. By the way, all types of consulting services provided by the customer managers are free of charge; and such intrabanking competition just positively reflects on the quality of our services”.    

           In 2008 tax payments made by Ardshininvestbank to the state budget of the RA increased significantly. In 2007 Ardshininvestbank ranked the 65^th in the list of the largest taxpayers paying AMD 922.3 million. In 2008 taxes paid by Ardshininvestbank more than doubled amounting  AMD 2,132.4 million (holding the 32^nd position).

Dear Customers!
  Ardshininvestbank, in partnership with the popular and famous CONTACT transfer system, again continues making the action “THE ACTIVE CUSTOMER” using CONTACT’s services. The action is available in all the branches of Ardshininvestbank from January 15, 2009 to February 15, 2009.
  Customers using the services of CONTACT transfer system more frequently will get pleasant gifts.
  Join the action “THE ACTIVE CUSTOMER” just using CONTACT system more frequently.

We wish You a good luck!