Bank of Sydney looks forward to writing new chapter of growth

 “As we start a new chapter for the next five years, we will continue to work hard to merit your trust and serve your businesses. DR SALIM SFEIR”

20/3/2017

(Translation of this article appears in Arabic section)

Sydney - M. E. TIMES: The Bank of Sydney (BOS) rolled out the red carpet to celebrate its sixth anniversary this month. A highlight of the anniversary was a formal dinner held in honour of Bank of Beirut CEO and chairman Dr Salim Sfier, Lebanon’s largest bank, which owns the BOS.  The dinner was hosted by BOS chairman Nick Pappas and CEO Miltos Michaelas and attended by a large number of distinguished guests.

Dr Salim Sfeir:

Dr Sfeir, quoting Greek philosopher Plato, said: “The beginning is the most important part of any work”.

Dr Sfeir with the receivers of the Special Lifetime Achievement Awards

“We symbolise a natural and timeless collaboration ... one spanning thousands of years and connecting people and cultures across the Levant and the Mediterranean Basin,” he said.

The bank leader spoke of the shared values and bonds between the Greek and Lebanese.

“They are both immigrant people who know how to face challenges and hardships and deal with change. They share an entrepreneurial spirit and much much more.

 “I invite you to take the opportunity to further connect with one another and with each other’s cultures in a spirit of openness to the ethnic diversity in Australia.”

He also noted how the bank’s sixth anniversary coincided with Harmony Day, which celebrates multiculturalism.

“We are indeed a multicultural bank, we are at the service of diversity in Australia.  Harmony and respect are core values to our bank.”

Dr Sfeir Presenting a lifetime achievement award to

His Eminenece Stylianos- Greek Archbishop

Bank of Sydney appreciates and thanks you.  We are proud of your successful business stories and look forward to working with you to achieve more success.

As we start a new chapter for the next five years, we will continue to work hard to merit your trust and serve your businesses.

“Let’s continue along this high road to grow and prosper together.

Great relationships grow together.  Great alliances fuel one other.

This is a moment of good pride and of shared journey.

The Japanese writer Satoro said it best: ‘Individually, we are one drop – together we are an ocean’.”

“Let unity be our objective and the ocean our symbol as we write the next chapter together."

Miltos Mechaelas:

Mr Michaelas, whose distinguished career has included senior executive roles in the Bank of Cyprus, told the audience how a friend had persuaded aspired him to join the BOS, and spoke of the group’s honesty and their plans in Australia.

“My wife and I have come to know these people well and we hold them in the utmost professional respect,” he said. He also spoke about the challenging personal decision to move his family to Australia, which he called the “most multicultural place on Earth”.

Cutting the cake

“During my first five years here, I have taken support from a lot of you, f

or which I am forever indebted.”

He mentioned how many people in the room that night also shared a similar immigrant story having come from a range of countries including Lebanon, Armenia and Syria and now also called Australia home.

Nicholas Pappas:

Looking around the room of diners, Mr Pappas noted there were “some good Cyprian friends over there who have been on a journey with this bank for more than a decade”. He noted the Bank of Beirut had benn “an umbrella that has protected us, it has been a nurturer” of the Bank of Sydney and has seen the “bank blossom to become a vibrant participant on the financial services landscape of Australia. And for that we are all very proud.”

He also spoke of how he had visited Legislative Council president Mr Ajaka’s room in Parliament House which featured of the politician’s ancestral home in Lebanon. “What a wonderful country we have here ... where the seeds of multiculturalism have flowered here and across the nation.”

Part of  participants

He said the bank’s six years here will soon become 60 and it was “going to be fantastic journey”.

Anwar Harb:

Mr Harb made a speech welcoming the political, diplomatic, economic, religious and social figures and media representatives.

He commended the ethics of Mr Sfeir, praising his success and contribution in the context of humanity.

“Salim is a sprig of cedar, the story of a sailor named the spring of Lebanon ... named Lebanon’s Cedar ... named Salim Sfeir,” he said.

Mr Harb also described Mr Sfeir as being the father of the Maronite Christians in the world.

He expressed his pride to receive an award from Mr Sfeir, as it means a lot to him personally and professionally.

Dr Sfeir with the receivers of the Special Lifetime Achievement Awards

The table of officials at the dinner