CORE VALUES: The intrinsic values, which are the corner-stones of our corporate behaviour are Commitment, Integrity, Fairness, Teamwork and Service.
CORPORATE PHILOSOPHY:
From knowing our customers requirements to understanding employee needs, from utilising modern technology to making responsible social contributions, from enhancing stake-holders value to practising corporate ethics.
WE ARE CONTINUOUSLY AND CONSISTENTLY STRIVING TO ADDRESS NEWER CHALLENGES WITH A SINGLE MOTIVATION: /
"the power to inspire and be inspired"
Brief History:
An important player in Pakistan's financial services industry, Askari Bank is now leading the way to the most modern and dynamic banking in the country.
Incorporated in October 1991, Askari Bank commenced its operations in April 1992, and has since expanded into a nation wide presence of 150 branches, including 14 dedicated Islamic Banking branches connected online and supported by a shared network of over 2,670 online ATMs covering all major cities in Pakistan supports the delivery channels for customer service. Askari Bank also has an Offshore Banking Unit in Bahrain.
ASKARI BANK is the leading private sector bank in Pakistan, delivering quality service through innovative technology. In the success story of ASKARI BANK, one of the most important factors, apart from its dynamic management and prudent approach, is the QUALITY of its SERVICES, which gives it a great edge over its competitors. ASKARI BANK has always strived to facilitate its customers by introducing various high quality hi-tech services for the first time in Pakistan.
We are proud of our pioneering role in providing the most modern and technologically advanced services to our customers. Knowing our customers and their needs is the key to our business success. Our products and services are as diverse as our market segments. Technology has played a pivotal role in meeting customer expectations, particularly with respect to the speed and quality of services.
We have fully automated transaction-processing systems for back-office support. Our branch network is connected on-line real-time and our customers have access to off-site as well as on-site ATMs, all over Pakistan. This includes not just establishing and maintaining technology infrastructure for providing operational support to all units of the Bank, but also encompasses introducing latest state-of-the-art technology-driven products and service delivery systems, such as ATM networking, Internet Banking, Mobile ATM, Credit Cards, Debit Card, Prepaid Card, utility bills payment through ATMs & Internet which have brought about cost-effectiveness, timesaving and safety.
Askari bank has also achieved another milestone with the launch of Askari Bank Zari Credit Card. This is the first ever credit card offered to the farmers in Pakistan with complete product features and service benefits. It aims to meet farmer's production and development needs and to supplement cash flows, whenever required.
It is also a matter of satisfaction that ASKARI BANK has been the first bank to introduce PTCL and WAPDA utility bills payment electronically through ATM and Internet on an Online-Real-Time Basis. For the first time in Pakistan, we have introduced Mobile ATMs to provide banking facilities at the doorsteps of our customers. Askari bank's mobile ATMs first in the banking history of Pakistan, now four in number, continue to serve customer needs.
Our Phone Banking and Internet Banking Facility allows our customers, to access their accounts from anywhere in the world, and effect transactions.
Visit Askari Website (www.askaribank.com.pk)
Askari Bank has an internationally recognised website, containing comprehensive information on Askari Bank and its products. We are proud to mention that the website was developed in-house and has received several awards. Bank has established its Data Warehouse and Customer Care Centre, a dedicated customer call center to provide one window service to our valued customers in terms of their telephonic enquires.
Askari bank remains focused on using technology for improving customer service standards and expanding the range of products being offered and other technology based solutions.
AWARDS AND ACHIEVEMENTS:
Askari Bank continues its success in competition. Recently we have once again been given the "Best Retail Bank in Pakistan" by The Asian Banker for the 2nd consecutive year. Askari Bank has been given the 1st Consumer Choice Award 2004 for the Commercial Banking Category by the Consumer Association of Pakistan. We have also received the Corporate Excellence Award for the financial sector from the Management Association of Pakistan (MAP) for the years 2002, 2003 and 2004.
We have been given "The Best Bank in Pakistan" award by Global Finance magazine twice ie for the years 2001 and 2002. We have been given the "Best Consumer Internet Bank" award by Global Finance magazine for the years 2002 and 2003. We won the Euromoney and Asiamoney awards as early as 1994, 1996 and 1997.
We have A1+, the highest possible credit rating, for short-term obligations, and our long-term rating stands at AA. We won the prestigious "Best Presented Annual Accounts" award from the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Pakistan (ICAP), and The Institute of Cost and Management Accountants in Pakistan (ICAMP), for the Services Sector, for the years 2000, 2001and 2002.
We have also received ranking prizes during the last six years from the South Asian Federation of Accountants (SAFA) for "The Best Presented Annual Accounts" for the financial sector, in the SAARC region. In 2007 Askari bank won "The Best Consumer Banking Award 2006" for the third consecutive year from the consumer Association of Pakistan. In 2008, Askari Bank has been given "The Best Retail Banking Award 2008" by Pakistan Guarantee Export Corporation Ltd.
ASKARI BANK'S PRODUCTS: Over the years, Askari Bank has proven its strength as a leading banking sector entity with ever-increasing commitment to its clients, through a strategic investment in electronic technology.
ASKARI BANK ACHIEVED THE FOLLOWING FIRSTS IN PAKISTANI BANKING:
i)The first Pakistani bank to offer on-line real-time banking on a country-wide basis
ii)The first Pakistani bank with nation-wide network of ATMs
iii)The first bank in Pakistan, foreign or local, to introduce Internet banking in the country
iv)The first bank in Pakistan, together with ABN-Amro, to develop an interbank switch for the ATMs
v)The first bank in Pakistan to launch Mobile ATM
ASKARI BANK OFFERS THE FOLLOWING RETAIL PRODUCTS TO SERVE THE NEEDS OF THE CONSUMER MARKET:
-- Askari Bank's Value Plus - Rupee Deposit Account
-- Askari Bank's Personal Finance - Loans Scheme
-- ASKAR - Auto Loans
-- Askari i-Net Banking - Internet Banking solutions
-- Askari MasterCard - Credit Card facility
-- Askari Travellers Cheques - Rupee Travellers Cheques
-- ASKCARD -Debit Card
-- ASKPOWER - Prepaid Card
-- Askari Bank's Mortgage Finance - Home Loans
-- Askari Bank's Business Finance - Business Loans
-- SmartCash - Running Finance Facility for Consumers
-- Askari Kissan - Agri Finance Programme
-- Askari Bank's Mobile ATM
-- Corporate Citizenship
-- Our role as a corporate citizen is as important to us as the products and services we offer.
As a leading financial institution Askari bank ensures that its business decisions linked with ethical values are in compliance with legal requirements and convey respect for people, communities and the environment. Askari bank is driven by the highest standards of corporate governance and social responsibility. Askari bank believes in building strong relationships with customers, partners, employees and the communities in which it operates.
Askari Bank has made generous contributions in the areas of sports, culture, poverty alleviation, women & child care, health & medical sciences, education, human development and scientific research.
Askari bank contributes significantly to charities and community projects to help bring about a better quality of life to the less privileged in the community and enrich the lives of Pakistani through support for local arts, education and sports.
PROFILE OF M.R. MEHKARI, ACTING PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE ASKARI BANK LIMITED:
M. R. Mehkari with 37 years of International and Domestic Banking experience is serving Askari Bank in the position of the Acting President and Chief Executive. He is one of the Pioneer members of Askari Bank, who joined the bank in 1992.
He started his Career with UBL in 1971 and joined National Bank of Oman Ltd in December 1974 and served till 1992. He carries a varied and of versatile banking experience spanning over 37 years. Highly trained Treasury Manager, performed as a Treasurer, Branch Manager of Main Branch, Area Manager responsible for marketing and lending Portfolios, Executive In charge of Fund Management /Investment Banking at an International Bank. Academically he is a Graduate.
He Joined State Bank of Pakistan on secondment and Performed as Director, Exchange Policy Department from April 2000 to April 2004, where he had applied his Professionalism in liberalising Foreign Exchange Regime and improved Systems of National economy and introduced new Products, Systems and Procedures like Foreign Currency lending to Exporter/ Importer under funds generated through Foreign Currency Deposits, introduced US Dollar Collection and settlement system in Pakistan (US$ Clearing System) besides amending/rewriting the Foreign Exchange Manual of the State Bank of Pakistan. He was also a member of Corporate Management Team and Monetary & Exchange Rate Policy Committee (MERPC) at State Bank of Pakistan.
To enrich his Professional skills, he has participated in various comprehensive courses and Seminars on Foreign Exchange Exposure & Treasury Management, Money Market and other banking areas of operations at Karachi, Bahrain, Abu Dhabi, London and Singapore.
He also represented State Bank of Pakistan at various international Conferences including International Hawala Conference in Abu Dhabi (UAE) in 2002 & 2004, where he presented Paper on Hawala in the Region.