Mr. Habib Esmail, founder of the Habib Group, started his career in Bombay at a very young age. In 1891, he started the firm Habib & Sons that traded in cotton, oil seeds, bullion, and to act as a merchant bank. DAWOOD HABIB GROUP, the sponsor of Bank AL Habib Limited, has a long track record in Banking which dates back to the 1920's. The group was among the founder members of Habib Bank Limited which played a major role in meeting the financial and banking needs of Pakistan which was nationalized along with other Banks in Pakistan on January 1, 1974. Under the subsequent privatization policy of Government of Pakistan, DAWOOD HABIB GROUP was granted permission to set up a commercial bank. The Habib Group banking and finance services are spread over three continents through the operation of Bank AL Habib Limited.

Bank AL Habib Limited was incorporated in October 1991 by the grandsons of Habib Esmail and started operations in January 1992. Although Bank AL Habib commenced operations in 1992, it embodies same high standards of integrity, prudence, and trust which have characterized Habib Family's banking operations in Pakistan and abroad for over 70 years. The bank is particularly conscious of the trust reposed in it by the depositors, and its prime duty is to protect and honor this trust all times. Guided by the values taught and practiced by Habib Esmail more than a century ago, the bank has continued to grow and progress in all areas of its operations.