Marius Saradar created Maison de Banque on February 1, 1948, a financial entity that became a Lebanese Joint Stock Company in 1956 as it took on the official name of Banque Saradar sal.

Joe Saradar was appointed bank president and CEO of the company in 1962 at the age of 24, succeeding his father after he passed away.

Eager to push the group beyond its domestic base, Joe Saradar expanded the bank’s operations internationally and founded Banque Saradar France in Paris in 1987. Despite the raging war in Lebanon at the time, the CEO’s vision and determination contributed to the success of the group and its continued growth in troubled times and beyond.

When he passed away in 1992, his son Mario Saradar took over the group President and CEO role, bringing his own integrity and drive to the success that two previous generations had built. Mario Saradar wanted to diversify the group beyond the banking sector. To bring about his vision, he needed to restructure.

In 1997, a holding company is created to manage the Saradar family assets. Three separate entities are formed to house each generation’s portion of those assets

In 2004, Banque Saradar merged with Bank Audi, which led to the appointment of Mario Saradar to the Board and the Executive Committee of the newly formed Audi Saradar Group. This marked a new turn in the life of the Saradar family activities.

By 2010, Mario Saradar left the Audi Saradar Group Private Banking arm he had been managing and focused his efforts on diversifying the family business.

Saradar Group acquired a majority stake in LibanPost

In 2013, Saradar Group acquired a majority stake in Near East Commercial Bank (NECB), then merged it the following year with Banque de l’Industrie et du Travail (BIT).

The Group also acquired a majority stake in CashUnited, a money transfer operator representing MoneyGram.

In 2015, Holding Saradar exited Bank Audi’s capital

In 2016, Saradar Bank was launched.

Acquisition of an equity stake in Vitas, a microfinance company.

Acquisition of 51% of Assurex sal, a 40-year old Lebanese insurance company