The bank will use the SunGard solution to help manage its liquidity, interest and foreign exchange rate risk across its balance sheet, as well as its strategic budgeting and forecasting.

Headquartered in Beirut, BLOM is the most geographically diverse bank in Lebanon, with branches across Europe and the Gulf. It is now investing heavily in renewing its technological infrastructure to support its continued growth and development. The bank has recognized ALM as the first priority in enhancing its risk management processes, and will use SunGard's BancWare to help monitor the impact of rate changes on its balance sheet helping enable greater control over performance.

BancWare will give BLOM the ability to perform liquidity risk analysis, static and dynamic ALM, 'what-if' scenario calculations based on different interest rate environments and stress-testing. For improved financial planning the bank will be able to automate multi-dimensional projection of interest income and expense by branch, business and at a consolidated group level. Together this will help the bank to better manage rate volatilities, forecast future performance and in turn make more informed strategic decisions. The bank will also be able to produce extensive and granular reports in accordance with both regulatory and internal requirements.

Antoine Lawandos, chief information officer at BLOM Bank, said, "We chose SunGard predominantly for its strong reputation and presence in the Middle East. Equally important was the availability of local resources and knowing that SunGard has the proven ability to deliver the software as a fully comprehensive service - including best-of-breed functionality and expert Lebanese consultants - through local partner Mideast Data Systems Lebanon."

Andreas Hug, managing director EMEA for SunGard's BancWare business unit, said, "Our ongoing commitment to this region is reflected in the successful partnerships we have established - partnerships which mean that, , as we increasingly see a trend towards integrated risk management, we are well equipped to meet regulatory and internal reporting needs."