Habib Bank AG Zurich opens branch in DIFC to expand footprint

Habib Bank AG Zurich (HBZ), a Switzerland-headquartered bank, has opened a new branch in Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC).

The bank is expanding its global network, and will serve its private banking and wealth management clients via the new entity.

“The new branch will offer clients a trusted Swiss platform, with a focus on wealth preservation and legacy planning,” HBZ said in a statement.

The lender has maintained a presence in the UAE since 1974, servicing the retail, commercial banking and Islamic banking needs of its customers.

“Many of the fastest growing places for wealth accumulation in the world are in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia region – especially the UAE – which makes DIFC the natural choice for financial services companies who serve private banking and wealth management clients,” said Arif Amiri, CEO of DIFC Authority.

“We welcome Habib Bank AG Zurich to our growing ecosystem of more than 4,000 financial-related firms.”

“I am delighted to announce HBZ expanding its presence in a key global financial centre, such as DIFC, thereby realising our private banking and wealth management ambitions and further cementing our commitment to the UAE and the region,” added Salman Haider, CEO, group wealth management at Habib Bank AG Zurich.

“Habib Bank AG Zurich, established in 1967, is an institution with a rich heritage and legacy. Being a part of DIFC will further cement our position in the UAE and the wider region. DIFC represents an important centre for us to pursue our growth ambitions.”

DIFC registered 537 new companies in the first half of the year. The total number of firms operating in the financial centre soared to 4,031 at the end of June 2022.

Read: Dubai’s DIFC records 11% increase in new company registrations in H1 2022