Libyan Foreign Bank becomes sole owner of Spain's Aresbank

The Crédit Populaire d'Algérie (CPA) exited its minority stake in the Spanish bank Aresbank in late July 2026. This departure leaves the Libyan Foreign Bank as the sole shareholder of the institution, holding 100% of the capital.

Prior to this change, the Algerian state-owned bank held a 0.14% stake, while the Libyan public bank controlled the remaining 99.86%. Aresbank, founded in 1975, specializes in international trade finance, particularly serving companies operating in North Africa and the Middle East.

The ownership shift occurs as Aresbank reports record financial performance. In 2025, the bank recorded an annual profit of 16 million euros, a 21% increase from the previous year, with a credit portfolio of approximately 733 million euros. The bank is currently executing a three-year plan to expand its Spanish branch network and introduce new Islamic finance products.