Question 1

What is First International Bank of Israel?

Accepted Answer

First International Bank of Israel (FIBI) is one of Israel's five largest banking groups and a major player in the country's financial sector. The bank specializes in serving both large corporate clients and retail consumers across Israel.

FIBI is publicly traded on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange under the symbol "FIBI" and is a constituent of the prestigious TA-35 Index. The bank operates through a network of approximately 160 branches throughout Israel and provides comprehensive universal banking services.

With assets exceeding NIS 100 billion (approximately $30 billion USD), FIBI has established itself as a significant institution in Israeli capital markets activities and commercial banking operations.

Question 2

When was First International Bank of Israel founded?

Accepted Answer

First International Bank of Israel was founded in 1972 through a merger approved by then-Israeli Finance Minister Pinchas Sapir. The bank was created by consolidating several smaller financial institutions, including Export Bank Ltd., Foreign Trade Bank Ltd., and Mortgage and Savings Bank Ltd. (later known as First International Mortgage Bank Ltd.).

The merger was designed to create a strong, unified banking entity capable of serving both private and business clients with a full spectrum of banking services. Throughout its history, FIBI has been notable for being the only major bank in Israel that was not involved in the bank stock crisis of the early 1980s, thereby avoiding nationalization.

In the 1980s, prominent banker Edmond Safra acquired control of FIBI. Following Safra's death, the Safra Group sold its Israeli business interests, and by 2010, the bank's largest shareholder became FIBI Holding Company Ltd., which is primarily controlled by the Bino-Liberman Group.

Question 3

Where is First International Bank of Israel headquartered?

Accepted Answer

First International Bank of Israel is headquartered at 42 Rothschild Boulevard in Tel Aviv, Israel. Tel Aviv serves as the financial capital of Israel and provides the bank with strategic positioning at the center of the country's business and financial activities.

The bank historically maintained international offices, having opened branches in London in 1981 and Zürich in 1984. However, in 2015, Tungsten Corporation plc acquired FIBI's UK division for £30 million.

Question 4

Where does First International Bank of Israel operate?

Accepted Answer

First International Bank of Israel operates throughout Israel, maintaining a comprehensive network of approximately 160 branches across the country. The bank's operations span major urban centers, suburban areas, and regional communities throughout Israeli territory.

FIBI serves diverse customer segments through various distribution channels, including traditional branch networks, specialized investment advice centers, dealing rooms for capital markets activities, and digital banking platforms. The bank ensures accessibility across different geographic regions within Israel to serve both its retail and corporate client base.

Question 5

What services does First International Bank of Israel offer?

Accepted Answer

First International Bank of Israel provides a comprehensive range of financial services including:

Retail Banking: Deposit and savings products, structured deposits, credit cards, mortgage services, and consumer lending. The bank offers general banking services to households and private businesses.

Commercial and Corporate Banking: International trade financing, consultancy services for investments and transactions, working capital financing, equipment acquisition loans, business expansion funding, and support for construction projects.

Capital Markets Services: Investment advisory, securities trading, trading systems, foreign exchange services, and derivatives. FIBI is recognized as a leading player in Israeli capital markets activities.

Private Banking: Through its subsidiary U-Bank Israel, the bank specializes in private banking services for high-net-worth individuals.

Digital Banking: The bank offers comprehensive mobile and online banking platforms. In 2021, FIBI launched FibiPay, a digital wallet service that allows customers to make contactless payments directly from their smartphones using NFC technology. The bank was also an early adopter of personalized financial guidance technology, becoming the first Israeli bank to offer AI-powered insights across both banking and investment accounts.

For many years, FIBI was unique among Israeli banks in offering complete paperwork in English, reflecting its commitment to serving international clients and expatriates.

Question 6

What makes First International Bank of Israel unique?

Accepted Answer

First International Bank of Israel distinguishes itself through several notable characteristics:

Crisis Resilience: FIBI is the only major bank in Israel that was not involved in the bank stock crisis of the early 1980s and therefore was the only prominent Israeli bank that avoided nationalization. This demonstrated strong financial management and risk control during a turbulent period.

Technology Leadership: FIBI has been at the forefront of digital banking innovation in Israel. In 2014, it became the first Israeli bank to deploy holistic personalized guidance solutions covering both investment and banking relationships using advanced predictive analytics. The bank continues to invest in digital services, including mobile payments and AI-driven customer engagement.

English-Language Services: For many years, FIBI was the only major Israeli bank offering complete paperwork in English, making it particularly attractive to international clients and English-speaking customers.

Diversified Subsidiary Network: The bank operates through multiple specialized subsidiaries serving different market segments, including Bank Massad (jointly owned with Israel's teachers' trade union), Bank Otsar Ha-Hayal, U-Bank Israel for private banking, and Poalei Agudat Israel Bank (PAGI) serving primarily the Jewish Orthodox community.

Question 7

What type of financial institution is First International Bank of Israel?

Accepted Answer

First International Bank of Israel is a universal bank, providing a full spectrum of banking services across retail, commercial, corporate, and investment banking sectors. Universal banks in Israel operate under comprehensive banking licenses that allow them to offer the complete range of financial products and services.

As a universal bank, FIBI combines traditional deposit-taking and lending activities with sophisticated capital markets operations, wealth management, and specialized banking services. This model allows the bank to serve diverse customer segments, from individual consumers and small businesses to large corporations and institutional investors, all through an integrated banking platform.

The bank's universal banking structure is typical of major Israeli financial institutions and enables FIBI to compete effectively across multiple business lines while maintaining strong capital markets capabilities that distinguish it within the Israeli banking sector.

First International Bank of Israel

in Israel 🇮🇱

Crypto-Friendliness

All done!

About First International Bank of Israel in Israel

First Intern­ational Bank of Israel