NBAD Signs Refinancing Deal With Paris’ Prince de Galles Hotel

The Abu Dhabi lender is refinancing the renovation of the Parisian five-star hotel that is scheduled to re-open in May 2013.

Etisalat Draws Strong Bank Demand For $8bn Maroc Tel Bid Loan

The UAE telecoms operator has already secured the backing of 12 banks and up to four more could join.

Kuwait’s NBK Q1 Profit Flat, Sees Rosier Outlook

National Bank of Kuwait made KD81.3 million of net profit in the three months of 2013.

Bank Muscat Q1 Profit Drops 25.1%, Misses Forecasts

The lender made a OMR15 million one-off provision after some of its prepaid travel cards were hit by fraud.

Qatar’s Barwa Bank To Raise $563m In Share Sales

The lender will raise the amount through two share sales including an IPO on the Doha bourse, its CEO said.

UAE Investors Prefer Property Over Gold

Real estate is currently the preferred asset class for investors in the UAE, finds new survey.

Oman’s Alizz Islamic Bank Eyes Q3 Launch -COO

Alizz Islamic Bank is the second full-fledged Islamic bank in the sultanate.

Emirates NBD Eyes 40% Retail Lending Boom

ENBD presently generates around 95 per cent of its revenue from its home market, although it is hoping to increase its international business to 15-20 per cent in five years.

UAE Credit Bureau May Struggle For June Start

Head of consumer and elite banking at NBAD and the head of retail banking at Emirates NBD believe the June start date will be missed.

Goldman Sachs Middle East Senior Banker Resigns

Khaled Eldabag, a Dubai-based managing director, had clients including Abu Dhabi investment fund Mubadala.

Pegasus Airlines To Float IPO Stake This Week

The stake will be split between domestic, qualified and foreign institutional and individual investors.

Dubai Islamic Bank Q1 Net Up 17%

The bank made Dhs301.7 million ($82.2 million) in the three months to March 31.

Saudi Lender NCB Posts 19.4% Q1 Net Profit Rise

National Commercial Bank’s net profit was boosted by higher special commission and fee income.

Banque Saudi Fransi Q1 Net Drops 13.3%

The kingdom’s fifth-largest bank by market cap said it made $182.4 million in the three months ending March 31.

Union Properties Shareholders’ Approve $109m Debt Extension

The Dubai-based property developer’s loan has been extended until August 20, 2017.

Abu Dhabi Fund Mubadala Swings Back Into Profit In 2012

The fund made a profit of Dhs455 million in 2012, compared with a loss of Dhs3.2 billion in 2011.

Mashreq Sues ING Over Losses Tied To ‘Roach Motel’ Debt

The Dubai-based lender is accusing Netherlands-based ING of losing 40 per cent of a $108 million investment.

Abu Dhabi Firm Al Jaber CFO Resigns Amidst Debt Talks – Sources

The conglomerate is currently in the midst of a $4.5 billion debt restructuring.

Saudi’s Top Bank Al Rajhi Q1 Profit Up 2%

The lender’s profit was boosted by a jump in both lending and customer deposits portfolio.

Emaar Boss Will Not Take Write-Downs On Amlak Investment

Mohammed Alabbar was speaking at Emaar’s AGM where shareholders approved a 10 per cent cash dividend.

Qatar’s Doha Bank Seeks To Double Foreign Profits By 2015 – CEO

The lender recently opened an office in Australia, and plans to open one in Sharjah.

Saudi Banks Post Strong Q1 Profits, Beat Estimates

SABB saw first quarter net profit rise 11 per cent, while Saudi Hollandi’s net profit rose 19.4 per cent.

UAE Central Bank To Introduce Direct Debit System

The new move, to be introduced in mid-June, will allow customers to make automatic loan payments from their bank accounts.

Sharjah Islamic Bank To Issue $500m Sukuk

Lead arrangers released official price guidance at 3.125 per cent after suggesting the low three per cent area as an indicator.

Ajman Bank’s Acting CEO Resigns

Mohammad Zaqout, previously executive vice president of personal banking at Al Hilal Bank, will be the new chief executive.

Kuwait To Spend $17.5bn On Projects In 2013/14 – Finance Minister

Domestic tensions have been delaying work on Kuwait’s KD30 billion development plan

Morgan Stanley Names Kayello As New MENA Head

Kamal Jabre is relocating to London to take up a senior investment banking role.

Etisalat Lines Up $8bn Loan For Vivendi’s Maroc Stake Bid

French media group Vivendi aims to offload its 53 per cent holding in Moroccan firm Maroc.

Saudi Riyad Bank Posts 5.5% Rise In Q1 Net Profit

The bank said it made $254 million in the three months ended March 31, 2013.

Qatar National Bank Q1 Net Profit Up 6.7% On Loan Growth

The bank’s lending growth year-on-year stood at 28.7 per cent during the first quarter.