Shlomo Eliahu, the largest investor in Bank Leumi's (TASE: LUMI), has sent out another letter supporting his candidate for the bank's chairmanship, Dr. David Klein. Eliahu owns 9.59% of the bank. The letter came two days after Leumi president and CEO Galia Maor withdrew her candidacy for the chairmanship.
Eliahu strongly urged keeping the shareholders meeting at its original date of March 11, and not postponing it further.
Eliahu said, "On March 11, we, the public shareholders are being called to choose directors for the bank. There are five worthy candidates before us, but I believe that one candidate - Dr. David Klein - stands out in every respect from among the list of candidates. The appointment of a man with his experience and stature as a director of the banks will be for the good of the bank and all its shareholders. We must express this in our votes."
Eliahu noted that it was no secret that the timing of the general shareholders meeting was connected to the numerous reports, prior to his request, which allege that political and other interests were trying to influence the appointment of directors at Bank Leumi. He had a real concern that an attempt will be made to elect directors and a chairman based on external factors that are not for the good of the bank.
Eliahu expressed his strong opposition to the involvement of Minister of Finance Yuval Steinitz and other in the appointment, saying, "Any attempt to make use of the state's voting rights to put forward candidates with various connections is an attempt which is invalid from its outset."
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on February 17, 2010
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