“Converse Bank” CJSC is a large bank with a developed customer base and a moderately developed regional network. The bank has 26 branches: 10 in Yerevan and 16 in marzes. The main say in the bank’s decision making process belongs to trustees of Argentinean businessman Eduard Eurnekian. The key shareholders are Eurnekian’s “Advanced Global Investments LLC” – 95% and the “Holy Echmiadzin Cathedral” – 5%.
The main activities are financing of large, medium-sized and small business and agriculture, consumer lending, bank cards, private money transfers. The bank effectively cooperates with large companies, finances trade, construction and processing industry. “Converse Bank” is an active player on the currency and bond markets. It has highly developed relations with international financial organizations. It is involved in GAF’s, EBRD’s and the World Bank’s SME support programs as well as in similar projects implemented in the framework of Russia’s stabilization loan.
“Converse Bank” provides almost all types of banking services to both private and corporate customers. The bank’s development strategy stipulates active financing of large, medium-sized and small business, steady growth in retail banking and constant enlargement of the branch network. As a result, in the last decade the bank’s clientele and assets have substantially grown. The bank is constantly enlarging its product line and is introducing new instruments. It is quite active on the bond market. Since 1999 the bank has been the Government’s internal state debt management agent. In 2004 it was proclaimed the best agent for its high activity on the securities market.
“Converse Bank” is member of Contact (since 2001), Migom (since 2002), INTEREXPRESS (since 2006), LEADER (since 2006), BLIZKO (since 2006), ALLURE (since 2007), Zolotaya Korona (since 2007), Moneygram (since 2008). In 2004 the bank launched its own money transfer system – “Converse Transfer”.
In 2002 “Converse Bank” became principal member of VISA INTERNATIONAL. The same year the bank started issuing Visa cards and in 2005 – providing chip Visa services. In 2009 the bank joined the MasterCard system.
In 2003 the bank joined International Factors Group. The same year it was elected into the Commerce and Industry Chamber of Yerevan.
For two consecutive years (2001-2002) “Converse Bank” was granted American Express certificate for money transfer excellence. In 2005 Financial Times proclaimed “Converse Bank” as the Best Armenian Bank of the Year. In 2005-2007 Global Finance has recognized the bank as the best in Armenia and in 2006-2010 as the best in the field of foreign exchange conversion. In 2006 Deutsche Bank granted the bank "2005 EUR STP Excellence Award" and “2005 USD STP Excellence Award".
Some experts believe that “Converse Bank” is experiencing problems in its corporate management policy and for this purpose keeps reshuffling its management board. In early 2009 the bank’s Board dismissed almost all of its executive managers. Chairman of the Management Board Ararat Ghukasyan responded by resignation.
Chairman of the Board is Juan Pablo Gechidjian (Argentina). The board members are Armen Ter-Tatchatyan (Armenia), James Richard Cheek (the United States), Matias Gainza Eurnekian (Argentina) and Aram Tonikyan (Armenia).
Chairman of the Management Board-Executive Director is Tigran Davtyan (Armenia). The only management board member is Arshak Karakhanyan (Armenia, Chief Accountant, Head of Accounting Department).
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