OREANDA-NEWS. On 30 June 2008 was announced, that as per the Order of the President of the French Republic; Michel Perhirin, Chairman of the Management Board and CEO of MDM Bank, was awarded the Ordre national du Merite (Eng. – the National Order of Merit). The festive ceremony took place recently in Moscow at the Embassy of the French Republic in Russia.

The Order was established on 3 December 1963 by then-President Charles de Gaulle and it is the second-highest ranking national order of France, following the Legion d'honneur. The Order is awarded to citizens of France who distinguish themselves in state, public or military service or in private business.

As with Legion d'honneur, the Ordre national du Merite has three degrees – commandeur (Commander); officier (Officer); and chevalier (Knight) – and two ranks – grand-croix (Grand Cross); and grand officier (Grand Officer).