name and background
full name: Bank Leumi Le-Israel B.M. (Hebrew: בנק לאומי לישראל, Arabic: بنك لئومي)
Founded: February 27, 1902, originally in Jaffa as the Anglo Palestine Company, founded in London by the Jewish Colonial Trust (Jüdische Kolonialbank) in support of the Zionist movement. In 1950 it was renamed Bank Leumi Le-Israel and in 1954 it became a commercial bank.
Headquarters is located at 24-32 Yehuda Halevi Street, Tel Aviv, Israel.
Shareholder Background: The bank is listed on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange (symbol: LUMI) with 60% shares held by the public and 14.8% by the government, with major shareholders including Shlomo Eliyahu and Barnea Investments (10% each). It was nationalized in 1983 due to the banking stock crisis and privatized in 2002. In 2024, Hanan Friedman will become CEO and Shmuel Ben Zvi will be Chairman of the Board.
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style="font-size: inherit"<>Territories Covered: Bank Leumi serves the entire territory of Israel, covering the cities of Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Haifa, etc., and provides international services through subsidiaries and representative offices in Luxembourg, the United States, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Mexico, Uruguay, Romania, Jersey and China. Banks support cross-border transactions through a global financial network.
Number of offline branches: As of 2024, the bank operates approximately 250 branches, including 35 branches of Arab Israel Bank, covering northern Israel and the triangle.
ATM distribution: The number of ATMs is not disclosed, and they are located in branches, business districts, and shopping malls, supporting cash deposits, contactless payments, and cardless withdrawals.
services and products
Bank Leumi Diversified financial services for corporate and institutional customers:
Corporate Banking: Commercial loans, trade finance (letters of credit, guarantees), cash management, payroll projects, and foreign exchange transactions for SMEs, large corporations, and multinational corporations. LeumiTech provides customized financial services to high-tech companies, and Corporate Banking supports large-scale infrastructure projects.
Private Banking: provides wealth management, investment advisory and cross-border account services to clients with financial assets of more than NIS 3 million, operating through 7 private banking centers and overseas branches (e.g. Leumi USA, Leumi UK).
Capital Markets Services: Manage bank proprietary portfolios and provide securities trading, derivatives and foreign exchange services through Leumi Capital Markets, covering the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange and international markets.
e-banking: provides account management, transfers, bill payments and investment transaction services through online banking and mobile applications.
> personal banking: Offering checking accounts, savings accounts, fixed deposits, consumer loans, mortgages (including digital mortgages), credit cards (Visa, MasterCard), investment products, and foreign exchange services. Featured services include the "Leumi Digital Mortgage", which allows customers to complete mortgage applications through digital channels.
> regulatory and compliance
Deposit Insurance Program: The Israeli branch participates in the Israel Deposit Insurance Program, the exact amount of which is not disclosed. Leumi USA, a U.S. subsidiary, is a member of the FDIC and is insured up to $250,000 per customer deposit.
Recent Compliance Record: In 2014, the bank entered into a deferred prosecution agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice, acknowledging to assist clients in hiding assets in offshore accounts. In 2020, the United Nations was included in the database for its operations in the West Bank and the Golan Heights, which involved international law disputes. In 2021, Norway's KLP pension fund divested due to its settlement financing activities. In 2011, the bank paid NIS 130 million to settle 3,577 dormant account disputes involving deposits of Holocaust victims.
digital service experience<
span style="font-size: inherit">App & Online Banking: Bank Leumi's mobile app and online banking (english.leumi.co.il) have a rating of around 4.4 stars (Google Play and App Store out of 5 stars) and are well received for their user-friendly interface and real-time features.
core features:
real-time transfers: supports domestic and international transfers, and provides cross-border services through the SWIFT system (code LUMIILIT).
bill management: supports paying utility bills, mobile phone recharges, and insurance fees, and provides transaction history query.
Investment Instrument Integration: Support stocks, funds and derivatives trading with Leumi Capital Markets, covering the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange and international markets.
> face recognition: Fingerprint login is supported, but face recognition is not explicitly supported.
technical innovation:
Open Banking API: In response to Israel's open banking reform, support API data sharing, and improve fintech integration.
Digital Mortgage: Launched Israel's first-of-its-kind "Leumi Digital Mortgage", which supports the entire process of online application and Zoom signing.
> AI customer service : AI customer service is not explicitly provided, but real-time digital assistance is provided via online banking and phone.
customer service
Bank Leumi provides multi-channel customer service:
by phone: customer hotline 5522 or +972-3-9545522 for round-the-clock support; Credit card hotline 5523, securities trading hotline Monday to Thursday 8:00-00:00.
email: Submit an inquiry through the secure message box on the official website.
Live chat: Live chat is available for online banking and mobile apps.
branch services: 250 branches offer face-to-face consultations, Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 14:00, and some branches are extended to 18:30 on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
security measures
Bank Leumi uses a multi-layered security mechanism:
Anti-Money Laundering & Anti-Fraud: Monitor suspicious transactions in real-time in accordance with AML/CFT requirements of Israeli banks and the FDIC.
transaction security: A one-time verification code is required for large-value transfers to reduce the risk of unauthorized transactions.
Physical security: Branches and ATMs are equipped with surveillance systems and security personnel.
> network security: SSL encryption, multi-factor authentication (password + SMS verification), customer data is anonymized.
featured services and differentiation<
span style="font-size: inherit">Bank Leumi is unique in the Israeli banking industry with its heritage and innovative services:
digital mortgage service, Streamline the process with Zoom and online signing.
High-tech finance: LeumiTech provides customized financing and cross-border services to high-tech companies to support the Israeli tech ecosystem.
international network: provides global financial services to clients through Leumi USA, Leumi UK and representative offices (China, Switzerland, etc.).
historic landmarks: Jerusalem Main Branch (designed by Erich Mendelsohn) and Rehavia Branch (Bauhaus Building) are listed as landmarks.
Social Responsibility: Supporting education, culture and community development through the "Leumi Tomorrow" Centennial Fund, scholarships and art programs.
summary
As Israel's largest joint venture commercial bank, Bank Leumi offers a comprehensive range of financial services to individuals, corporations and high-net-worth clients with its 250 branches, international network and history of innovation. Despite the settlement financing controversy, its solid financial performance (total assets of approximately $160 billion in 2020) and digital innovations, such as digital mortgages, have given it a leading position in the Israeli market. For customers looking for high-tech financing or cross-border services, Bank Leumi is a trusted choice.
