MANAMA, 25 March 2007 — Faysal Bank Limited Pakistan (FBL), a subsidiary of Ithmaar Bank, a Bahrain-based investment bank with global reach, increased its operating profits to $74.35 million at the end of 2006 from $66.05 million in the preceding year. Net profit rose to $54.6 million from $51.8 million in the period under review. FBL opened 19 new branches in Pakistan during 2006, bringing the total number to 75 and augmenting its market share in the process. The full service bank consolidated its leading position in a year.