Dubai’s Mashreq To Allow Foreigners To Own Up To 20% Of Shares

Foreign investors currently own only 1.9 per cent of the bank’s shares, as per DFM data.

National Bank of Fujairah Launches Subsidiary In Hong Kong

NBF’s new entity will help facilitate expanding cross border flows between the UAE and China.

Bahrain’s Arcapita Emerges From US Bankruptcy

Arcapita’s plan will see it transfer its assets into a new holding company which will dispose of them over time to pay off creditors.

Emirates NBD Signs 5-Year Partnership With Manchester United

The Dubai-based bank is launching co-branded credit, debit and prepaid cards targeting the football club’s fans in the UAE.

80% Of UAE Investors Lack ‘Strong Investment Knowledge’

Most UAE investors do not seek professional financial advice, finds new study.

RBS To Boost Mideast, Africa Trade Finance After Regional Revamp

The bank’s retail business in the UAE was sold to Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank in 2010.

Dubai’s Damac Picks Banks For London IPO – Sources

Deutsche Bank and Citigroup Inc will advise on the planned flotation, two banking sources said.

UAE’s Just Falafel To Launch IPO On Nasdaq Dubai By October

The fast food chain is reportedly looking to offload around 25 per cent of its shares.

Majority Of Middle East Senior Managers Are Hired Online: Study

Most senior managers apply for jobs via the career portal on a company’s website, says study.

UAE To Announce Bank Exposure Rules In 1-2 Months – Al Ghurair

Limits on banks’ lending for residential mortgages are expected to be announced by the end of this year.

Barclays Called Reckless Over $511m Payments To Qatar Investors

The payments were made under “advisory service agreements” linked to Barclays’ emergency fundraising with Qatari investors.

UAE Insurance Sector Set To Grow 10% This Year

Total premiums underwritten in 2012 were Dhs26.8 billion, up 9.5 per cent over the previous year.

First Gulf Bank May Bid For Barclays’ UAE Retail Arm – CEO

British lender Barclays decided to sell its retail banking business following a strategic review of UAE operations.

Almost 50% Of UAE Residents See Drop In Savings Over Last Six Months

Many residents also expect their personal finances to reduce or remain unchanged in the next six months, finds survey.

UAE Banks’ Exposure To Government Highest Since 1970s

The UAE’s banking sector has extended $42 billion in credit to the government and GREs since the 2008 crisis, says BofA.

Bahrain’s Investcorp Acquires 25% Stake In ‘Fitness Time’ Operator

Investcorp buys stake in Saudi-based Leejam, a health and fitness club company that operates the Fitness Time brand.

Update: Shares In Dubai’s Union Properties Surge After Trade Resumes

Trading was briefly halted after the developer failed to disclose the results of a board meeting.

Serbia Seeks To Borrow Up To $3 Billion From UAE – Official

The money will be used to repay “the most difficult debts” and regurgitate the economy, said Serbia’s deputy prime minister.

SocGen Avoiding Goldman Missteps With $300m Sukuk Plan

Goldman Sachs tried to follow HSBC in late 2011 with a $2 billion sukuk programme, but Islamic scholars and analysts questioned whether the bank was obeying religious principles.

UAE “Does Not Have To Provide Citizenships”

While global trends are indicative of more countries offering citizenships, the UAE is not dependant on citizenships to attract investment.

Ex-Barclays Team Plans London-Based Islamic Asset Firm

Arabesque is due to open to investors in the first quarter of 2014 and will focus on value-based investment strategies.

Mashreq CEO – ‘Credit Bureau Will Stop Banks Lending For 6-12 Months’

Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair says new data body will highlight the number of debt-burdened consumers in the UAE.

Al Hilal Bank Eyes Sukuk Issue In Q4

The five-year-old Islamic bank was assigned its first credit ratings earlier this week.

Dubai’s Mashreq Raises 2013 Profit Forecast

Mashreq chief executive Abdulaziz al-Ghurair had said in February that he was optimistic about the bank’s performance this year.

UAE Banks’ Net Profit To Rise 20%

Total assets of UAE banks grew eight per cent to Dhs1.9 trillion in the first six months of this year, while net profit during the period was Dhs13.6 billion.

StanChart Appoints MENA CEO As Head Of Islamic Arm

Christos Papadopoulos will lead the bank’s expansion in sharia-compliant banking.

ME Insurance M&A Activity At All Time Low

Transactions in the Middle East between July 2012 and June 2013 dropped to nine deals as compared to 13 in the previous year.

Dubai Holding Investment Unit Extends $1.2bn Loan

The loan is related to Dubai Holding Investment Group’s acquisition of a 9.9 per cent stake in U.S. hedge fund Och-Ziff Capital in 2007.

Abu Dhabi’s First Gulf Bank To Cut About 300 Jobs

The lender is reducing nearly 10 per cent of its workforce as part of a restructuring, according to sources.

UAE Markets Surge After Russia Offer On Syria

Dubai’s index jumps five per cent to 2,441 points in early trade