The Union Bank of Israel, also known as Bank Igud, no longer exists as an independent entity, having been fully acquired and merged into Mizrahi-Tefahot Bank by December 31, 2022. This renders much of the requested analysis regarding its current operations, website, or independent risk profile irrelevant, as the official website (https://www.unionbank.co.il/) is likely defunct or redirected, and its services are now under Mizrahi-Tefahot’s umbrella. However, I’ll address the query by analyzing the historical context of Union Bank of Israel, its merger, and the broader implications for the requested factors, while also examining potential risks associated with outdated or fraudulent references to the bank’s brand. Since the official website is specified, I’ll focus on that domain and related data where applicable, using available information and critical reasoning.

1. Background on Union Bank of Israel ¶

• Historical Context: Founded in 1951, Union Bank of Israel (Bank Igud) was the sixth-largest bank in Israel, offering banking and financial services, including private banking, investment consulting, portfolio management, credit cards, and brokerage services. It had 35 branches and a 3% market share in 2014, focusing on high-income clients.
• Merger with Mizrahi-Tefahot: In September 2020, Mizrahi-Tefahot acquired all shares of Union Bank, making it a subsidiary. By November 15, 2022, all customers were transferred to Mizrahi-Tefahot, and by December 31, 2022, Union Bank ceased to exist as an entity.
• Current Status: The Union Bank brand and its operations are fully integrated into Mizrahi-Tefahot, Israel’s third-largest bank, which now manages its former services. The website https://www.unionbank.co.il/ is unlikely to be operational as a standalone banking site and may redirect to Mizrahi-Tefahot’s domain (https://www.mizrahi-tefahot.co.il/) or be inactive. Given this, the analysis will focus on historical data for Union Bank, the risks associated with its defunct status, and potential misuse of its brand, alongside general considerations for evaluating brokers or financial institutions.

2. Online Complaint Information ¶

• Historical Complaints: There is no specific data in the provided references about online complaints against Union Bank of Israel during its operational years (1951–2022). General banking complaints in Israel often relate to high fees, loan terms, or customer service, but no evidence suggests Union Bank was an outlier compared to peers like Bank Hapoalim or Leumi.
• Post-Merger Complaints: Since the merger, any complaints would likely be directed at Mizrahi-Tefahot. A search for recent complaints about Mizrahi-Tefahot yields typical banking grievances (e.g., slow service, account access issues), but nothing specific to the Union Bank transition. Users should check platforms like the Bank of Israel’s complaint portal or consumer forums for updated data.
• Risk Implication: The absence of specific complaint data doesn’t indicate a flawless record but suggests Union Bank wasn’t notably problematic. However, the merger could have caused temporary disruptions (e.g., account migration issues), which might surface in Mizrahi-Tefahot reviews.

3. Risk Level Assessment ¶

• Historical Risk Profile: Union Bank was a regulated commercial bank, not a high-risk broker. It operated under the Bank of Israel’s supervision, with a stable but modest market presence (3% market share). A 2017 CofaceBdi risk index rated 13.25% of Israeli companies as high-risk, but banking was generally among secure sectors, and Union Bank wasn’t flagged as problematic.
• Post-Merger Risk: As part of Mizrahi-Tefahot, former Union Bank operations inherit the parent bank’s risk profile. Mizrahi-Tefahot is a well-established institution with a strong regulatory standing, reducing systemic risk. However, integration risks (e.g., data migration errors, service disruptions) could have temporarily elevated operational risks in 2022–2023.
• Brokerage Risk: Union Bank offered brokerage services (e.g., trading equities, bonds, and derivatives), which carry inherent market risks. These were standard for a bank of its size, with no evidence of reckless practices.
• Current Risk: The primary risk now is brand confusion, as the Union Bank name may be exploited by fraudulent entities posing as the defunct bank (see Brand Confusion below).

4. Website Security Tools ¶

• Current Website Status: As of April 24, 2025, https://www.unionbank.co.il/ is likely inactive or redirects to Mizrahi-Tefahot’s site, given the merger’s completion. Attempts to access the site may yield a parked domain, error page, or redirect. Without live access, I can’t confirm specific security tools, but I’ll outline expectations based on standard banking practices and the merger context.
• Historical Security: As a regulated bank, Union Bank likely employed standard security measures:
• HTTPS/SSL: Mandatory for banking sites to encrypt data. Mizrahi-Tefahot’s site (https://www.mizrahi-tefahot.co.il/) uses HTTPS, suggesting Union Bank did too.
• Firewalls/Anti-DDoS: Common for banks to protect against cyberattacks.
• Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Likely used for online banking, per Israeli banking standards.
• Security Headers: Banking sites typically implement headers like Content Security Policy (CSP) and Strict-Transport-Security (HSTS).
• Post-Merger: If the domain redirects, security depends on Mizrahi-Tefahot’s infrastructure, which adheres to Bank of Israel regulations. If the domain is inactive, it risks being repurposed by bad actors, a common issue with defunct bank domains.
• Recommendation: Users should verify the domain’s status using tools like SSL Labs (https://www.ssllabs.com/ssltest/) or VirusTotal (https://www.virustotal.com/) to check for malicious activity. Avoid entering credentials on any site claiming to be Union Bank without confirming it’s Mizrahi-Tefahot’s official portal.

5. WHOIS Lookup ¶

• Domain: https://www.unionbank.co.il/
• Expected WHOIS Data: Since the merger, the domain may still be registered under Mizrahi-Tefahot or a related entity, or it could have been abandoned. Banking domains are typically kept active to prevent cybersquatting, but no specific WHOIS data is provided in the references for unionbank.co.il.
• General Insights:
• Registrar: Likely an Israeli or international registrar like DomainTheNet or GoDaddy, common for Israeli businesses.
• Registration Date: Probably dates back to the 1990s or early 2000s, given the bank’s digital presence.
• Privacy Protection: Banks often use WHOIS privacy services to shield contact details.
• Comparison with Other Domains: The reference to unionbank.org (a defunct domain, expired in 2021, registered via GoDaddy) highlights the risk of abandoned domains. Unionbank.co.il is distinct but could face similar risks if not maintained by Mizrahi-Tefahot.
• Risk: If the domain is no longer maintained, it could be acquired by scammers to impersonate the bank. Users should perform a WHOIS lookup via tools like whois.domaintools.com to confirm ownership and check for recent changes.

6. IP and Hosting Analysis ¶

• Historical Hosting: As a major bank, Union Bank likely used secure, Israel-based hosting providers or global CDNs like Akamai or Cloudflare for performance and security. The reference to unionbank.org (hosted in the U.S. with IPs like 34.206.12.234) is unrelated but suggests banks use robust infrastructure.
• Current Hosting: If unionbank.co.il redirects to Mizrahi-Tefahot, it’s hosted on the latter’s servers, likely in Israel or via a CDN. If inactive, it may resolve to no IP or a parked domain server.
• Security Implications:
• Secure Hosting: Banking sites use dedicated servers or cloud solutions with DDoS protection and regular audits.
• IP Geolocation: Should resolve to Israel or a trusted CDN location. Anomalous IPs (e.g., in high-risk jurisdictions) would be a red flag.
• Recommendation: Use tools like MXToolbox or Ping to check the domain’s IP and hosting status. If the IP points to an unexpected location or provider, avoid interaction.

7. Social Media Analysis ¶

• Historical Presence: Union Bank likely maintained social media accounts (e.g., Facebook, LinkedIn) for customer engagement, but these are probably deactivated or rebranded under Mizrahi-Tefahot post-merger.
• Current Presence: A search for “Union Bank of Israel” on platforms like X or LinkedIn may yield outdated profiles or references to Mizrahi-Tefahot. For example:
• X: Posts mentioning Union Bank may be historical or scams. No recent, verified activity is expected.
• LinkedIn: The bank’s profile may redirect to Mizrahi-Tefahot or be inactive.
• Red Flags:
• Fake Accounts: Scammers may create new profiles using the Union Bank name, especially post-merger, to exploit brand recognition.
• Inconsistent Branding: Profiles not linked to Mizrahi-Tefahot’s official accounts (e.g., https://www.linkedin.com/company/mizrahi-tefahot-bank/) are suspicious.
• Recommendation: Verify any social media presence against Mizrahi-Tefahot’s official channels. Report fake accounts to the platform and the Bank of Israel.

8. Red Flags and Potential Risk Indicators ¶

• Defunct Status: The biggest red flag is that Union Bank no longer exists. Any entity claiming to be Union Bank of Israel in 2025 is likely fraudulent.
• Domain Risks: If unionbank.co.il is inactive or not redirected, it’s vulnerable to cybersquatting or phishing.
• Brand Impersonation: Scammers may use the Union Bank name, logo, or domain in emails, websites, or social media to trick users into sharing financial data.
• Lack of Transparency: If the domain is active but lacks clear Mizrahi-Tefahot branding or regulatory disclosures, it’s a major warning sign.
• Historical Risks: No evidence suggests Union Bank was high-risk pre-merger, but its modest size and commercial focus made it less prominent than larger banks, potentially limiting scrutiny.

9. Website Content Analysis ¶

• Expected Content (Historical): Union Bank’s website likely featured:
• Banking services (accounts, loans, credit cards).
• Brokerage services (equities, bonds, derivatives).
• Contact details for 35 branches.
• Regulatory disclosures per Bank of Israel requirements.
• Current Content: If unionbank.co.il is active, it should:
• Redirect to https://www.mizrahi-tefahot.co.il/.
• Clearly state the merger and rebrand.
• Use Mizrahi-Tefahot’s branding and security features.
• Red Flags:
• A site claiming to be Union Bank without mentioning the merger.
• Poor design, broken links, or non-secure connections (e.g., HTTP instead of HTTPS).
• Requests for sensitive data without 2FA or clear authentication.
• Recommendation: Avoid interacting with unionbank.co.il unless it explicitly redirects to or is branded as Mizrahi-Tefahot. Check Mizrahi-Tefahot’s official site for service details.

10. Regulatory Status ¶

• Historical Regulation: Union Bank was regulated by the Bank of Israel, adhering to strict banking laws, including capital adequacy, anti-money laundering (AML), and customer protection rules. It was listed on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange (TASE: UNON) until its acquisition.
• Post-Merger: Mizrahi-Tefahot is also regulated by the Bank of Israel, with a strong compliance record. Former Union Bank services now fall under this oversight.
• Brokerage Regulation: Union Bank’s brokerage activities were subject to the Israel Securities Authority (ISA), ensuring transparency in trading and investment services. Mizrahi-Tefahot’s brokerage arm continues this compliance.
• Risk: Any entity using the Union Bank name without Bank of Israel or ISA authorization is unregulated and likely a scam.

11. User Precautions ¶

• Verify the Website: Only use https://www.mizrahi-tefahot.co.il/ for banking services formerly offered by Union Bank. Check for HTTPS and Mizrahi-Tefahot branding.
• Avoid Unofficial Channels: Ignore emails, calls, or social media messages claiming to be from Union Bank. Mizrahi-Tefahot will not use the Union Bank name for official communications.
• Check Regulatory Status: Confirm any financial institution’s license via the Bank of Israel (https://www.boi.org.il/) or ISA (https://www.isa.gov.il/).
• Use Security Tools: Enable 2FA, use updated antivirus software, and avoid public Wi-Fi for banking.
• Report Suspicious Activity: Contact Mizrahi-Tefahot or the Bank of Israel if you encounter sites or messages misusing the Union Bank name.

12. Potential Brand Confusion ¶

• Similar Names: The name “Union Bank” is common globally, leading to potential confusion:
• Union Bank of India (https://www.unionbankofindia.co.in/): A major Indian public sector bank.
• UnionBank (Philippines) (https://www.unionbankph.com/): A leading Filipino bank.
• Union Bank Nigeria (https://www.unionbankng.com/): A Nigerian bank.
• Union Bank Co. (USA) (https://www.theubank.com/): A U.S. community bank.
• Risks:
• Customer Confusion: Users may mistake these banks for Union Bank of Israel, especially if searching generically for “Union Bank.”
• Fraudulent Exploitation: Scammers may create fake sites or profiles mimicking Union Bank of Israel, leveraging its defunct status and the generic name.
• Mitigation:
• Always verify the domain (e.g., .co.il for Israel, .co.in for India).
• Check for Mizrahi-Tefahot branding when dealing with former Union Bank services.
• Be wary of unsolicited communications using “Union Bank” without clear jurisdictional context.

13. Conclusion ¶

The Union Bank of Israel no longer operates, having been fully integrated into Mizrahi-Tefahot Bank by December 2022. Its historical operations were standard for a regulated Israeli bank, with no notable red flags in complaints, risk, or regulatory compliance. The primary risks in 2025 stem from its defunct status:

• Fraudulent Misuse: Scammers may exploit the Union Bank name via fake websites, social media, or phishing attempts.
• Domain Risks: If unionbank.co.il is inactive, it’s vulnerable to cybersquatting.
• Brand Confusion: The generic “Union Bank” name increases the likelihood of mistaking it for unrelated banks. Recommendations:
• Use only https://www.mizrahi-tefahot.co.il/ for services formerly provided by Union Bank.
• Verify any “Union Bank” entity via the Bank of Israel or ISA.
• Exercise caution with unsolicited communications or unfamiliar domains claiming to be Union Bank.
• Monitor the unionbank.co.il domain’s status using WHOIS, VirusTotal, or similar tools to detect potential misuse. If you need a deeper analysis of Mizrahi-Tefahot’s current operations, a specific WHOIS lookup, or investigation into a suspected fraudulent site, let me know!