Page 147 - Carte Falimentul BIR

any conflicts, working and praying together, within the "great passing through
this ephemeral life".

Short history

The idea of creating a bank of religions belonged to the Ecumenical International
Center. Therefore, in September 1993, "the Romanian Interconfessional
Bank" was established in Bucharest, by the following founding members: the
Romanian Orthodox Church Patriarchate, the Metropolitans, the Bishoprics, the
Deaneries etc., other central and local entities of other cults, as well as individuals
and legal persons from several countries, including two business groups in Israel
through the Ruby and Michael Zimmerman brothers, and Saudi Arabia through
his highness, prince Zaid Bin Nasser al Melehi .

A distinctive fact: by the time of the International Bank of Religions
establishment, Romania did not have diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia.
Only two years later, diplomatic relations were established between the two
countries.

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On March 1 , 1994, as a result of the diversification of the bank's ownership,
through the participation of foreign shareholders of different religions, at the
General Meeting of Shareholders, organized at the Bucharest National Theater,
the bank changed its name to the “International Bank of Religions” (BIR).

The total number of BIR shareholders was/ is 2,188 individuals and legal

persons.

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Also on March 1 , 1994, the International Bank of Religions began its operational
activity with a branch in Bucharest, a social capital of only 4 billion lei and 13
employees.

By its character and originality, BIR has become worldwide unique in the field.
Nowhere in the world there was such a credit institution, involved in supporting
the economy, culture and religious life.

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By January 1 , 2000, BIR's joint stock had multiplied 50 times, increasing to ROL
200 billion (USD 400 million, February 1 , 1993 exchange rate, the date of BIR
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establishment). The bank was operating with 110 units at branch level in all major
cities across the country, agencies and numerous rural work stations, the latter
having offices and parish houses, with 1860 Semployees, out of which 90% were
young people.

In addition to the bank's units, another 240 units of the Concordia Romanian
Credit Cooperative functioned directly with the BIR network, also created at the
initiative of the Ecumenical International Center, its operations being carried out

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