Elie Kahwaji

Cedrus Invest Bank

Cedrus Invest Bank (CIB) was established in Beirut in 2011 by two accomplished Lebanese bankers, Fadi Assali and Raed Khoury, who had decided to return to Lebanon with the very intention of employing their extensive knowledge and expertise—acquired at both global and regional levels—so as to establish an institution that would bridge the gap between what regional clients need and what global banks offer. Directed towards creating a full-service bank that promises clients an experience that stands out in quality and ethics, their vision has not only been fruitfully implemented but has also helped pave the road progressively toward future accomplishments. Cedrus Invest Bank has become a premier boutique bank specialized in helping high-net-worth individuals, family offices, and corporates preserve and grow their capital. Its integrated business model combines the resources of four main divisions: Multi-Family Office, Wealth Management and Financial Advisory, Trading and Brokerage, and Investment Banking. The bank, in effect, offers one-stop access to global equity markets and to wealth management and investment banking services throughout the Middle East and North Africa (MENA region). On the 1st of March, 2015, CIB completed the acquisition of Standard Chartered SAL from Standard Chartered Bank, and Cedrus Bank was subsequently born. Today, Cedrus Group (CG)—Cedrus Invest Bank and Cedrus Bank—offers diversified banking services ranging from commercial and retail to private and investment banking. Cedrus Group is currently the fastest growing banking group in Lebanon with a shareholders' equity exceeding USD 330 million, a total balance sheet exceeding USD 1.3 Billion and an off-balance sheet business exceeding USD 1 billion, on consolidated basis. CIB counts on the expertise of a team of seasoned bankers who set out to create a financial services provider that is global in scope whilst serving the needs of regional clients.