| Governance changes at BIL: Marcel Leyers appointed Chair of the Board and Jeffrey Dentzer CEO | https://www.bil.com/en/bil-group/pressroom/news/Pages/Governance-changes-at-BIL.aspx | Governance changes at BIL: Marcel Leyers appointed Chair of the Board and Jeffrey Dentzer CEO | | <p>Marcel Leyers, CEO of BIL since May 2019, retired from executive management and is appointed Chair of the Board of Directors. He takes over from Jing Li, Legend Holdings, Chair ad interim since March 2023 who becomes Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors. <br>
Marcel Leyers joined BIL in 1983. After a few years as a relationship manager in the retail banking activity, Leyers developed a deep interest for businesses, entrepreneurs and corporations. He became the Head of Corporate and Institutional Banking (CIB) in 2011, joined the Executive committee in 2013, to become the CEO of the Bank in 2019.
</p>
<p>To replace Marcel Leyers at the helm of the Bank, Jeffrey Dentzer, Deputy CEO since 1 January 2024, is appointed CEO.
Before this role, Dentzer served as Chief of Luxembourg Market & CIB and Member of the Management Board of BIL since January 2020. At this position he was leading the Bank’s three main businesses on its domestic market: Retail Banking, Wealth Management and Corporate and Institutional Banking.
</p>
<p>Since 1 January 2024, Marcel Leyers and Jeffrey Dentzer worked hand in hand to ensure a smooth transition at the head of the Bank. As its strategic plan Energize Create Together 2025 comes to a close, the Bank is working on a new strategic plan centered on its clients and its commitment to bringing a continued support to the economy. </p>
<p><strong>Jing Li, Vice Chair of the Board of Directors representing Legend Holdings, commented:</strong><br>
“As CEO of BIL, Marcel Leyers guided the Bank successfully through the pandemic and a major IT transformation project. I would like to thank him for the tremendous work done. As he is stepping down as CEO, Jeffrey Dentzer is the perfect person to lead the Bank in the new chapter of its sustainable growth story, together with the Executive Committee and all BIL staff. The expertise, experience and insights that both bring to the Bank are invaluable, and I wish them success.”
</p>
<p><strong>Marcel Leyers, Chair of the Board of Directors and former CEO commented:</strong><br>
“This change in leadership has been carefully prepared. With Jeffrey Dentzer, I am confident we have the right person to lead BIL towards its next success chapters and to overcome the many challenges that no doubt will arise. He has demonstrated a deep knowledge of all our businesses and his ability to steer the teams in the right direction.”
</p>
<p><strong>Jeffrey Dentzer, CEO of BIL commented:</strong><br>
“I would like to thank the Board of Directors, the Executive Committee and all staff of the Bank for their trust. I look forward to working together to bring our clients excellent services and products that will support them in their projects and contribute to the development of Luxembourg’s economy.”
</p> | 22-May-24 6:00:00 AM | | |
| 2023, a year of transition and transformation | https://www.bil.com/en/bil-group/pressroom/news/Pages/2023-a-year-of-transition-and-transformation.aspx | 2023, a year of transition and transformation | | <p><strong>Staying resilient in a challenging macroeconomic context</strong><br/>
2023 was a complex year, be it for its geopolitical challenges, macroeconomic events or for BIL specific development. After the robust post-pandemic expansion in 2021 and 2022, the economy lost momentum in 2023. Europe faced multiple macroeconomic challenges, induced by on-going conflict in Eastern Europe and in the Middle East. The rate hike campaigns launched in 2022 by monetary authorities to curb inflation reached a peak during the second half of 2023. In the eurozone, higher interest rates had the effect of reducing the financing capacity of households and businesses, thus contributing to the slowdown of economic activity. In Luxembourg, construction has been affected by the current downturn in the real estate sector and as a consequence, slowed down lending activity. In such a challenging environment, the Bank is committed to support its clients and to offer adapted solutions to their projects and situation. </p>
<p><strong>Implementation of a new core banking system to enhance services</strong><br/>
In this ever-changing business environment, BIL has risen to these external challenges by staying on track of its transformation and, embracing emerging trends, new technologies and evolving market dynamics to build long-term sustainable growth. In 2023, BIL successfully completed the changeover of its Core Banking System, a project of unprecedented scale, while continuing to cater to clients’ needs. BIL has now a strong foundation to develop new services and to improve client experience for the years to come. </p>
<p><strong>Sound performance of commercial activities </strong><br/>
BIL Group reported a net income after tax of 202 million euros, driven by solid revenue growth, partly offset by an increase in expenses and cost of risk. This good financial performance can be attributed to the Bank’s business resilience and a solid risk management culture. Customer deposits, standing at 18.5 billion euros decreased mainly due to clients moving their deposits to higher return investments and proceeding to the early repayment of their variable rate loans in the context of higher interest rates. Customer loans, at 16.3 billion euros are stable compared to last year, due to the combined effect of a significant slowdown in mortgage loan production in Luxembourg and early mortgage loan repayments which continued throughout the second half of 2023. In the past year, domestic market housing demand has been hard hit by rapidly rising interest rates, coupled with a sharp reduction in construction activity caused by the downturn in the real estate sector and rising raw material costs. Assets under Management amounted to EUR 43.8 billion compared with EUR 43.5 billion at year-end 2022, up by +0.7%.
At the end of 2023, BIL showcased sound asset quality and strong capital and liquidity indicators. Its CET- 1 ratio stood at 14.41% after profit allocation compared with 14.03% in 2022, and its Liquidity Coverage Ratio also improved compared to 2022, at 174% versus 153%.
</p>
<p><strong>2024, ready for the future</strong><br/>
As the global economy is changing rapidly, in 2024, BIL's primary focus will be on its clients: fostering robust relationships, reaching a higher level of quality of service and constantly adapting the value proposition to their needs.<br/>
The Bank will remain focused on the implementation of the key initiatives of its 2020-2025 strategic plan, whose purpose is to be fit for the future: </p>
<ul style=" list-style: disc;
margin-bottom: 35px;"><li>By continuing to enhance its diversified business model .</li>
<li>By leveraging its new Core Banking System to drive future growth. This solid foundation will allow the Bank to develop new and improved services, combining the best of digital and physical.</li>
<li>By strengthening and simplifying its operations. Thanks to its new target operating model, BIL will create a robust and dynamic bank ready to face the future with confidence</li></ul>
<p>Marcel Leyers, CEO of BIL, commented: " Our 2023 performance confirms the relevance of our strategic choices and of our comprehensive and loyal response to the needs of all our clients, be they individuals, entrepreneurs, and businesses. In 2024 and for the years to come, BIL will continue to be the reliable partner it has always been.”</p>
<p>BIL’s annual report is available <a href="https://www.bil.com/Documents/brochures/annual-report-2023-en.pdf" target="_blank">here</a></p> | 24-Apr-24 12:00:00 PM | | |
| BIL is joining forces with the FinTech EDEBEX to offer a new invoice factoring solution to businesses and the self-employed | https://www.bil.com/en/bil-group/pressroom/news/Pages/BIL-is-joining-forces-with-the-FinTech-EDEBEX-to-offer-a-new-invoice-factoring-solution-to-businesses-and-the-self-employed.aspx | BIL is joining forces with the FinTech EDEBEX to offer a new invoice factoring solution to businesses and the self-employed | | <p>By opting for BIL’s invoice factoring solution, in partnership with the FinTech Edebex, businesses can accelerate their cash flow. All B2B companies, regardless of their size or business sector, can access it. What matters is the quality of the invoices sold on the Edebex platform. Companies sell their invoices before their due date, which allows them to have access to their money faster without having to deal with debt recovery. This solution supplements the usual cash management services offered by BIL, such as personal loans.</p>
<p>Jeffrey Dentzer, Deputy CEO of BIL states:
<br>“<i>At BIL, we understand the crucial role businesses play in our economy. For that reason, we are committed to developing innovative financial solutions, such as our new invoice factoring solution, in partnership with Edebex. This solution offers businesses and the self-employed quick and efficient access to a new source of cash, thus illustrating our ongoing commitment to supporting SMEs and large businesses in their journey to growth and success.</i>”</p>
<p>Wim De Ridder, Edebex CEO adds:
<br>“<i>We are delighted to have forged this partnership with BIL. Together, we can support BIL’s clients in their search for growth-enabling financial solutions. We are honoured that our bespoke, flexible and accessible offering brings further added value to the portfolio of services already offered by BIL. With more than 10 years of expertise, we are adapting our skills to suit all business areas, thus meeting each need with agility and efficiency.</i>”</p>
<p>To access BIL’s invoice factoring service using the Edebex platform, companies choose which invoices they wish to sell. For an invoice to be eligible, the corresponding services or products must have been delivered to the client and there must be at least a 30-day period between the date of issuing the invoice and its due date. Finally, creditor clients must be established in a selection of European countries. For BIL, this invoice factoring service is yet another demonstration of its intention to supply innovative solutions that meet the needs of businesses and the self-employed. Full details on the terms and conditions of use of this service can be found at <a href="https://www.bil.com/static/factoring/index-en.html">www.bil.com/factoring</a></p> | 07-Mar-24 11:00:00 AM | | |
