The Banker, an affiliate publication of the Financial Times, has chosen Banque de Tunisie (Bank of Tunisia) as “Bank of the Year in Tunisia ” for 2009.

The Banker's 10th annual commercial banking awards provide winners in 144 countries along with six regional awards, which acknowledge the best overall performance of a bank in its country.

The winners are chosen based on analysis of the latest financial results and performance data, regarding the banks' performance over the 12-month period up to this year's deadline and not for their historical or dominant position in a market.

The awards aim to support financial institutions and promote industry wide excellence in the global banking community-as stated by The Banker They also seek to highlight the banks with the best overall performance over the course of the previous year incorporating performance criteria, qualitative achievements and strategic initiatives .

This new distinction of Tunisia on the world stage is a testimony to the strong management and cautious risk approach that "Banque de Tunisie" has adopted and an homage to the successful Tunisian experience and the great resilience which the Tunisian banking system.

Tunisia’s objectives is to maintain the growth trend between 5,5% and 6,5%, and to focus on high value added sectors, which should increase from 23,5% of the GNP currently, to 35% in 2016.

The Banker's Bank of the Year Awards for 2009 come at a time when the banking community has faced debt crisis which has rattled world financial markets and last year's financial meltdown, which left major banks with billions in losses. But despite the financial turmoil many institutions managed creditable performances and record results.