ArmInfo. Converse Bank has replenished its authorized capital by 7 bln drams on the first stage ensuring normative total capital on the level of 28 bln drams. Majority shareholder Advanced Global Investments LLC has paid in 6.6 bln drams, while the remaining 0.4 bln drams were ensured by Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin Cathedral, the press-service of the bank has told ArmInfo. The authorized capital has been replenished via direct investments and the shares in the capital remained the same: Advanced Global Investments LLC - 95% and Echmiadzin Cathedral- 5%.
According to the source these funds will give Converse Bank the opportunity to implement prospective and ambitious programs envisaged by the development strategy. The Bank plans to expand provided range of services, increase and further diversify loan portfolio, introduce modern and timely bank technologies and products.
Along with gradual replenishment and strengthening of capital the Bank revises corporate management system in line with international standards. New approaches within the long-term development strategy have been developed, according to which an Investment Programs Commission has been established by the initiative of famous Argentinean businessman of Armenian descent Eduardo Eurnekian (head of Advanced Global Investments LLC). The Commission is authorized to study investment opportunities in various sectors of Armenia's economy to assess investment attractiveness and feasibility of projects. High-qualified specialists are involved in the Commission's work. The Commission's activities will help to activate assistance to such sectors as agriculture, mining industry, high technologies, and renewable energy, to strengthen financial support to local exporters and implement efficient programs ensuring ecological safety. These programs are subject to further long term financing by the bank and are aimed at attracting investments from Diaspora.
To note, CJSC Converse Bank was founded in 1993. The shareholders are Advanced Global Investments LLC (Eduardo Eurnekian) - 95% and Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin Cathedral - 5%. The Bank serves 34 branches, including 13 in Yerevan, 20 in the regions and 1 in NKR. As of July 1 2016. Converse Bank's total capital totaled 21.9 billion drams ($46 million), authorized capital-7.1 bln drams ($14.8 mln), assets - 150.8bln drams ($316.4mln), loans - 94bln drams ($197mln, 42% of which loans in economy), liabilities - 129bln drams ($270.6mln). In the first half of 2016, the bank increased its net profits by 29.4% to 978.6mln drams or $2.1mln. In Q2 alone, the bank's profits increased nearly 6-fold. To recall, Eduardo Eurnekian has established Eurnekian group, which includes all the information centers owned by Eurnekian as well as textile production located in four regions of Argentina and supplied to the USA, Europe, and Asia. Besides, he owns "America TV", 4 radio stations and "El Cronista", Argentinean financial newspaper. In energy sector Ernekian Group has built 2 modern plants of biodiesel fuel in Argentina. The Group was given permission to explore and develop petroleum and gas fields in the south of Argentina. Eurnekian also owns "Aeropuertos Argentina", operator of 32 Argentinean airports and airports in Uruguay, Ecuador and other countries of South America. The businessman is also shareholder of a number of large Argentinean companies. Eurnekian is the owner of American International Airports, concessionary operator of Zvartnots Yerevan Airport. Eurnekian implements a number of large projects in Armenia in the field of agriculture, wine growing, he has founded Unite Blue company producing microchips. Eurnekian holds 810th position in the Forbes ranking with a capital amounted to $2.2 bln.