BBK annual report eng 21.5.5

Operational achievementsStaffAs the human face of the Bank, our peopleinspire trust and confidence in our clients,helping to build lasting and mutually beneficialrelationships. This is why we place importanceon ensuring their personal welfare andprofessional development.Management ReviewDuring 2004, the first group of graduatesin the new BBK Management TraineesProgramme completed their initial trainingand took up permanent positions throughoutthe Bank. The success of this innovativeprogramme, with its exacting entry criteriaand challenging development curriculum, hasattracted wide spread industry recognition.I am pleased to report that BBK enjoyed yet another successful year in 2004. The Bank’sfinancial performance and operational achievements continued to enhance our reputation,not only as the leading client-focused bank in the Kingdom, but also as the preferredemployer of Bahraini nationals in the private sector.We achieved healthy profits, grew our asset base,and maintained a consistent return on shareholders’equity. At the same time, we significantlystrengthened the Bank’s operating infrastructureand improved our services by enhancing therange of innovative delivery channels.Underlying BBK’s promise of a bright futurefor all stakeholders is our approach to bankingthat places the emphasis on people andperformance. Our objective is to make BBKthe best place to work, so that our staff,supported by efficient processes and cuttingedge technology, make BBK the best bank forclients. Such a partnership will help to ensurestrong financial performance and a superiorreturn to our shareholders.Dr Farid Ahmed Al MullaGeneral Manager Chief Executive OfficerAlso during the year, a new PerformanceManagement System was introduced for allstaff. This important people initiative providesa competency framework that recognises andrewards individual performance. The strategicaim is to build a cadre of well-qualifiedprofessionals that will form a foundation fora structured succession planning process.The Bank's longstanding commitment toproviding talented Bahrainis with excellentcareer opportunities was recognised during2004 by a special award from the executiveoffice of the General Assembly of the GCC.BBK became the first Bahraini bank to behonoured for its outstanding achievements inthe employment of nationals by the privatesector which stands at 95%.The success of this approach was illustrated byBBK’s achievements during 2004. These werethe direct result of management and staff fromdifferent parts of the Bank working closelytogether as one team. Such a pervading spiritof cooperation throughout the year resulted inBBK becoming a stronger, more efficient, andmore responsive financial enterprise.Dr Farid Ahmed Al MullaGeneral Manager Chief Executive Officer