The Housing Bank for Trade and Finance (HBTF) was established in 1973 as a public shareholding limited company with a capital amounting to half a million JD. The primary focus of the Bank was to provide housing finance, and hence the name.
After 24 years of operations, the Bank embarked on a new era, when it diversified its scope and became a comprehensive bank, providing full commercial banking services. The Bank’s capital was increased several times, and currently amounts to JD 252 million; the equivalent of USD 355 million, the Bank’s management has continuosly focused on strengthening its capital base year by year, the total equity amounted to JD 1048 million(USD 1.5 billion) at the end 2011.
The Bank’s successful journey has paid off, and it has earned many high credit ratings from international institutions (Moody's, Standard & Poor’s, Fitch, and Capital Intelligence), in addition to winning the prestigious " Bank of the year – Jordan" award from The Banker (2003 , 2011 ) and from Euromoney (2007). In addition, it has also received several other awards and certificates.
Local Certificates of Appreciation and Awards
•The Bank was awarded “Al Kawkab Medal of the First Order†on the fifteenth anniversary of its establishment (1989).
•The Bank won The King Abdullah II award for Excellence, the highest national award (2000).
•The Bank won the excellence award for qualitative performance at the national level from Prince Faisal bin Al Hussein (2006).
•The Bank won an excellence award from E- Jordan conference (2002).
Regional and International Certificates of Appreciation and Awards
•The first bank in Jordan & Arab world to obtain the highest levels of “General Conformance Certificate†with International Internal Audit Standards issued by the American Institute of Internal Auditors “IIA†(2009).
•The Bank was awarded the International Star / Platinum Category & Golden Category from Business Initiative Directions BID due to good reputation in leadership and management (2005).
•The first bank in Jordan & Arab world to obtain the ISO 9001 international quality certificate (2002).
•The Bank won Arab Quality Award (2001).
HBTF earned an outstanding positions in the banking sector in Jordan, details as of 31/12/2011 are as follows:
•HBTF has the largest branch network in Jordan (112 branches with a market share of 14.5%).
•HBTF has the largest ATM network in Jordan (198 ATMs with a market share exceeded 16%).
•HBTF has the largest customer base in Jordan (which have exceeded 700,000).
•HBTF has the largest number of VISA electron cards (which have exceeded 480,000).
•HBTF has the largest number of VISA credit cards (which have exceeded 40,000).
•HBTF has the largest balance of Saving Accounts in local currency (JD1.2 billion with a market share of 41.6%).
•HBTF has the largest Shareholders’ Equity (JD868 million).
•HBTF has a large corresponding banks network, with more than 400 banks distributed in over 70 countries around the world.
Since its foundation, HBTF has introduced many cutting-edge initiatives, few examples are:
•HBTF was the first bank in Jordan to introduce the Saving Accounts Prizes system (1977).•HBTF was the first bank in Jordan & Arab world to establish a children branch (1993).•HBTF is a leader in banking technology, It was described by certain international rating agencies as a leader in E-banking.