Manama, Bahrain – February 14, 2017: GFH Financial Group, the Bahrain based financial group, today announced that the Group, in partnership with Intertrust Middle East (formerly known as Elian Middle East) have created the first Employee Benefit Trust (the “Trust” or “scheme”) in the region for its executive employees as per the Central Bank of Bahrain (“CBB”)’s new regulations.

The Employee Benefit Trust was established by GFH to hold the Group’s executive management and key risk takers’ deferred share awards (Incentives), in line with the CBB’s regulations on sound remuneration practices in the financial institutions sector in Bahrain. The Trust will provide assurance to the employees that their awards are securely held off balance sheet and are ring fenced from creditors. The employees will also benefit from the Chinese wall form in the management of the scheme as Intertrust Middle East will be managing the Trust on behalf of GFH. Employees will be able to access real time information about the value of their GFH shares via Intertrust’s online portal.

Commenting, Mr. Mohamed Ameen, Chief Administrative Officer of GFH, said, “We are pleased to announce the establishment of “Benefit Trust” as part of our remuneration policies working together with Intertrust, another world-class partner with whom GFH has engaged to insure best-in-class practices across the organisation. We are especially proud to be the first financial institution in the region to set up a trust of this kind for our employees. It is further evidence of our commitment to transparency and good governance. It also serves to underscore the importance that GFH places on continuing to attract and maintain the best talent in the industry while also protecting shareholder value by aligning the interests of our executives with shareholders through effective remuneration policies.”

Bashar Bazian, CEO at Intertrust, added “GFH management have shown great vision in establishing the scheme and we are proud to work with them in setting up and managing the trust going forward. GFH has shown leadership in this area with other regional banks now following suit. The Share Incentive Scheme is very attractive to GFH employees as they are able to benefit from the company’s success and expansion, while the company is able to align both their shareholder and employee interests. “

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About GFH Financial Group:

GFH is one of the most recognized financial groups in the gulf region that includes: Asset Management, Wealth Management, Commercial Banking and Real Estate Development. The group operations are focused in the GCC, North Africa and India. GFH is listed in Bahrain Bourse, Kuwait Stock Exchange and Dubai Financial Market.

For further information about GFH, please visit: www.gfh.com

About Intertrust:

Intertrust is the leading global provider of high-value trust, fund and corporate services, with approximately 2,400 employees located throughout a network of 41 offices in 30 jurisdictions across Europe, the Americas, Asia and the Middle-East. The Company delivers high-quality, tailored services to its clients with a view to building long-term relationships. Intertrust’s business services offering is comprised of corporate services, fund services, capital market services, and private wealth services. Intertrust has leading market positions in selected key geographic markets of its industry, including the Netherlands, Luxembourg, the Cayman Islands and Jersey. Intertrust works with global law firms and accountancy firms, multi-national corporations, financial institutions, fund managers, high net worth individuals and family offices.

For more information about Intertrust, please visit: www.intertrustgroup.com

For more information please contact:
Nawal Al-Naji- Senior Officer
Corporate Communications Department
GFH Financial Group B.S.C.
Tel: +973 17538538
Email: nalnaji@gfh.com