IBM says BBAC will use its hardware and software to build a business intelligence infrastructure that will help the bank manage risk and improve profitability.

The vendor will work with Computer Business Machines and local partner Pexim to build a data warehouse that will enable the bank to comply with Basel II guidelines and the regulations of Lebanon's Central Bank, Banque du Liban.

The bank will also deploy Pexim's integrated business intelligence technology, Tezauri, which it willl use for enterprise risk management, profitability analysis, legal and regulatory compliance, customer relationship management and Basel II compliance.

BBAC will use the IBM Information Server to extract data from its core banking systems for use by its data warehouse. The bank's business intelligence system will run on an IBM System p server, a System x server, and a System Storage DS4300.

Bashar Kilani, software group manager, IBM Middle East, Egypt and Pakistan, says the IBM technology "will give BBAC's employees access to the information they need to make better business decisions and provide higher value services to their customers".

In a separate move, Peru's Interbank has signed a $4.26 million deal with IBM for the installation, configuration and maintenance of 265 new ATMs.

The new units will accept and dispense Peru's new currency, the Nuevo Sol, as well as the US dollar. Customers will be able to withdraw cash, make deposits and pay bills at the new machines.

Lima-based Interbank predicts that the additional ATMs will mean that 70% of its customer transactions will be done over the Interent, phone or at cash machines.