Middle East merger activity to continue despite low oil prices – EY

Distressed assets and changing consumer habits expected to drive deal activity in 2016

Saudi could make MSCI emerging markets index by 2019

Saudi market authorities recently announced an easing of foreign ownership restrictions

Saudi accuses 32 people of spying for Iran

Moody’s cuts Saudi, Oman, Bahrain debt ratings

The ratings agency downgraded Saudi Arabia’s long-term issuer rating by one notch

Kuwait public sector to cut “unnecessary” expats

Kuwait’s Investment Dar seeks creditor backing for new $2.7bn debt plan

Any deal is complicated by legal claims over Investment Dar’s assets

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UAE banks to assess impact of new rules on impairments

Lenders across the world are preparing for a change to international accounting rules

More senior executives at Abu Dhabi bank FGB depart

First Gulf Bank cut close to 100 jobs in November

Cost cutting by UAE banks to continue following job losses

Reductions by local lenders have totalled a combined 1,500 staff in 2016 and 2015, according to some estimates

UAE cabinet approves creation of central Islamic finance authority

The authority will be designed and established by the central bank

Saudi will continue to support banks despite new law – Fitch

​The kingdom’s bank resolution draft law is unlikely to reduce support for lenders

HSBC Middle East appoints new interim CEO

Robin Jones replaces Mohammad al-Tuwaijri, who was appointed Saudi deputy minister of economy and planning

Saudi bourse selects HSBC to advise it on planned 2018 listing

Tadawul is by far the largest stock market in the Middle East

Saudi working on SME bourse rules for early 2017 launch

Tadawul announced last month that it planned to open the new exchange next year in a bid to improve access to capital

Saudi plans stock market reforms to draw foreign money

Reforms announced on Tuesday suggested authorities are now courting foreign money more aggressively

Saudi to loosen foreign ownership limits for stocks

Previously, qualified institutions could only own a maximum of 5 per cent of any listed company

Dubai Financial Market profit jumps 27%

The general index increased by 6.5 per cent during the quarter

Qatar National Bank says customer accounts safe despite data breach

Documents posted online last week included the bank details of journalists, supposed royal family members and government and defence officials

Revealed: Top GCC banks on social media

Regional banks showed different strengths on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram and YouTube respectively

Why we must work together to make a low-carbon world a reality

The Lord Mayor of London explains how the United Kingdom and the Gulf Cooperation Council can unite to lead the world in green finance

National Bank of Abu Dhabi Q1 net profit falls 10.7%

Impairment charges reached Dhs 295m, a 73.3 per cent increase on last year

Dubai Sukuk listings top $42bn

Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector said the emirate was a leader in the Islamic bond sector

UAE business loan demand grows but lenders reluctant

Central bank report finds improving demand in Q1 but tightening conditions

Emirates NBD lays off 300 staff from two units

Staff from Emirates Money and Emirates Islamic were made redundant

Emirates NBD posts 8% Q1 net profit gain

The bank’s performance was aided by smaller provisions for bad loans

Revealed: World’s top 10 richest Arabs in 2016

Arab billionaires’ net worth has fallen by 31.3 per cent, finds new Forbes list

UAE’s retail sector grows despite digital challenges

The retail sector accounts for 23 per cent of foreign direct investments into the UAE

Dubai Financial Market receives land for new HQ

The exchange is currently based in World Trade Centre

UAE job advertisements up in Q1 despite financial services decline

Increase in sales and marketing job postings offsets decline in other sectors

Fitch cuts Saudi Arabia’s ratings to ‘AA-‘ from ‘AA’ on low oil prices

The agency said it also considered Saudi Arabia’s geopolitical risks to be high

UAE residents failing to take responsibility for life insurance – HSBC report

Country has the highest proportion of people who ‘expect someone else to arrange’ life insurance

Saudi’s green card system will cut foreign remittances – report

​The kingdom is expected to soon introduce a permanent residency programme