Qatar Sovereign Fund Buys Stake In Russian Bank VTB

Qatar Holding, along with Azerbaijan’s SOFAZ and Norges Bank Investment Management, invested $479-639 million each in VTB.

Abu Dhabi Lender ADCB To Price Subordinated Bond

Early price talk for the 10-year deal, which is not redeemable for five years, was released at 230 basis points over five-year midswaps.

Qatar’s Doha Bank May Sell Bonds To Raise Capital – CEO

The lender had said in January that it would hike its paid-up capital by 50 per cent.

REVEALED: The Biggest Banks In Qatar

Taken from the Gulf Business Top 50 Banks, these are the biggest banks in Qatar by 2012 total assets.

IMF: Dubai Will Meet Debt Obligations

The International Monetary Fund’s regional report warns unemployment figures and diversifying economies are still an issue.

Qatar National Bank To Start India Operations

The state-owned lender expects to begin operations in the third quarter under the name of QNB India Private Limited.

Gulf Capital To Raise $360m From Islamic Loan

The funds raised will partly be used to buy a new vessel, refinance debt and pay investors dividends.

Abu Dhabi’s IPIC To Use $4bn Pipeline Payment To Repay Debt

The state-owned firm built a crude oil pipeline from Habshan to Fujairah in the UAE.

Inflation A Potential Risk For Saudi Economy – IMF

The IMF predicts Saudi’s overall growth to reach 4.4 per cent this year, due partly to an expected decline in oil output.

REVEALED: The Biggest Banks In The UAE

Taken from the Gulf Business Top 50 Banks, these are the biggest banks in the UAE by 2012 total assets.

Qatar Sets Up $1bn Energy Infrastructure Fund

The new fund will be run by Qatar Holding, Qatar Petroleum International and Qatar Electricity and Water Company.

Gulf Wealth Funds Raising Private Equity Investments

Average allocations to PE by the region’s developmental wealth funds have increased by 33 per cent in the last 12 months.

Dubai’s Atlantis The Palm Seeks $850m Loan

The hotel is raising the syndicated loan to refinance existing debt and provide new funds.

Britain’s Islamic Bank BLME Seeks Stronger Gulf Ties – CEO

The Bank of London and The Middle East plans to open an office in Dubai this year to help boost its capital markets.

Qatar Holding, Italy Fund Eyeing Versace

In April, Versace CEO Gian Giacomo Ferraris said the house may consider opening the company to outside investors to help fund expansion

Saudi Regulations Target Stock Market Speculators

The Capital Market Authority announced a series of measures designed to reduce the volatility of shares, make them harder to manipulate and improve the quality of listed companies.

Bahrain Needs To Cut Public Debt After 2012 Spending Boost – IMF

The Gulf state upped its original 2012 expenditure plan by nearly 19 per cent in September 2011.

Dubai’s ENBD Plans Bond Sale To Boost Capital

Emirates NBD plans to meet investors on roadshows in Asia, London and the UAE.

Carlyle-Backed General Lighting Plans Saudi Share Sale

Carlyle acquired its 30 per cent stake in General Lighting for an undisclosed amount in March 2010.

Can Dubai Become The World’s Leading Islamic Business Hub?

Dubai hopes to tap into the trillion-dollar Islamic finance industry and has ambitious aspirations to become the global hub. Can it succeed?

Abu Dhabi Fund Names Deutsche Bank Exec As Infrastructure Head

ADIA said John McCarthy will oversee its existing portfolio and originate new transactions.

Kuwait’s Investment Dar Offers New Settlement To Creditors

The firm is currently undertaking a KD1 billion debt restructuring plan agreed in 2011.

Dubai’s CBD Sets Initial Price Guidance For Debut Bond

The early guidance has the five-year bond pricing in the area of 275 basis points over midswaps.

Dubai’s Shuaa Capital Q1 Net Loss Narrows

The investment bank said the quarterly net loss narrowed to Dhs5.9 million dirhams ($1.6 million) from Dhs8.5 million a year ago.

Saudi Banks To Reserve More Jobs For Locals

The Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency sent banks a circular in April giving them three months to list the types of jobs that could be reserved entirely for Saudis.

UAE Salaries To Rise 6% – Morgan McKinley

The oil and gas sector, along with banking and finance, will see wage hikes.

Bahrain’s Al Baraka Q1 Profit Up 15%

First-quarter net income rose to $66 million from $57 million in the year-ago period, with operating income up 16 per cent.

Saudi Stock Market Caps First-Day Price Volatility

Previously, firms debuting on the Tadawul had unrestricted price movement on their first day of trading, meaning shares often soared before falling back later.

Abu Dhabi’s New Financial Zone To Benefit Dubai

Earlier this month the Abu Dhabi government said it would set up a full-service financial zone on an island near the city’s downtown.

For Banks In Cyber Heist, How To Get Their Money Back?

Bank of Muscat lost $40 million and UAE-based RAKBANK lost $5 million in the global heist.