“Unibank” CJSC is a large bank, established in 2001. In Oct 2001 it was granted the Central Bank’s general license. The “Unibank” project was part of successfully developing Armenian-Russian economic cooperation.
Before 2010 50% of the bank’s shares belonged to “Uniastrum Asset Management” LLC (later “Asset Management”), a structure of “Uniastrumbank”, owned by Chairman of the Board of “Uniastrumbank” Gagik Zakaryan and Chairman of the Bank’s Council Georgy Piskov. The other 50% belonged to “EVA Invest” LLC. For the moment, the shareholders are “Ripatonso Holdings Limited” (Cyprus, 75.43%) as well as Gagik Zakaryan (12.285%) and Georgy Piskov (12.285%), who are the owners of the Cypriot company.
The bank has 33 branches (14 in Yerevan, 17 in marzes and 2 in Nagorno-Karabakh Republic) as well as a representation in Moscow. In 2003 “Unibank” joined ArCa system and a year later Visa International: the bank has so far issued almost 60,000 ArCa and Visa cards. “Unibank” has 70 ATMs and 656 POS terminals. In 2008 the bank joined the Stock Exchange of Armenia. The bank is in top five as to the number of plastic cards and the second and the third – as to the number of POS terminals and ATMs, respectively - and is planning to launch its own processing center and to increase the number of its ATMs and POS terminals to respective 90 and 1,000.
“Unibank” is a universal, multi-field bank, effectively handling its financial resources. When attracting resources the bank tries to minimize costs and stabilize their growth, when placing them – to ensure their liquidity, to maximize the yield of assets, to enlarge the credit portfolio and to diversify and minimize credit risks.
In the second half of 2002, with the help of its strategic partner from Moscow, “Uniastrumbank”, “Unibank” started transferring money via Unistream international system. Since then the bank has constantly increased the flow of its transfers and has enlarged their geography. As a result, in the last threes years it has been the leader of Armenia’s money transfer market. In Aug 2010 Unistream was granted a license to transfer money in the European Union. This is an opportunity for the system to open its outlets in Europe and to increase its earnings. In 2009 Unistream carried out 51% of all money transfers in Armenia, with their turnover amounting to $551mln (90% were incoming transfers). 96% and 87% of all Unistream money transfers were from and to Russia, respectively.
In 2005 “Unibank” started providing mortgage and auto loans and has already become a leader in this sector. In order to boost its mortgage lending, in 2006 the bank opened a specialized mortgage center. In 2007 “Unibank” won the Central Bank’s tender for implementing ABN AMRO’s project to improve risk management processes.
In 2006 “Unibank” joined IFA and SMEDNC projects. According to its agreement with “Uniastrumbank”, the bank has received $20mln. The bank is going to take part in the second stage of KfW’s mortgage program to be financed starting from late Sept 2010. “Unibank” is also preparing to participate in KfW’s programs to develop renewable energy in Armenia.
In 2009 the bank increased its assets by 58%, credits by 43%, capital by 23%, deposits by 80%. Over 60% of the loan book are commercial loans mostly placed in industry and trade (48% and 30%, respectively). “Unibank” has the 5th biggest economy lending and the 2nd biggest personal lending portfolios. 37% of the bank’s loans are given to industry (the 1st place). The bank is on top as to the amounts of time and personal time deposits.
As a result of the “Best Rival” inter-bank survey held by ArmInfo news agency in 2009, “Unibank” was recognized as the most active participant of the mortgage and money transfer markets.
Chairman of the Board is Gagik Zakaryan (Russia, President of “Uniastrumbank”). The board members are Georgy Piskov (Russia, Chairman of the Board of “Uniastrumbank”), Hugo Willem Minderhoud (the Netherlands, Independent Banking/Financial Consultant in Central-Asia), Suren Ayryan (Armenia, President of “Unistream Bank” OJSC), Edward Zamanyan (Armenia).
Chairman of the Executive Board is Vardan Atayan (Armenia). The board members are Zakar Boyajyan (Armenia, First Deputy Chairman of the Board), Samvel Grigoryan (Armenia, Deputy Chairman of the Board, Financial Director), Ara Avagyan (Armenia, Deputy Chairman of the Board, Corporate Business Director), Mesrop Hakobyan (Armenia, Deputy Chairman of the Board, Retail Business Director), Gohar Grigoryan (Armenia, Chief Accountant).
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Unibank reduces loan interests for small enterprises 
