Geopolitical Sanctions Weigh On Dubai Consumer Banking

The emirate is sensitive to the issue given its geographical positioning to countries targeted by sanctions.

Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank To Begin Bond Meetings

The UAE lender said earlier this week it had mandated lead arrangers for the $500 million issue.

Oman Posts $8.4bn Budget Surplus For 2012

The surplus is equivalent to 12 per cent of the sultanate’s 2011 GDP.

Qatar May Invest Up To $3.5bn In Russian Bank VTB

VTB, Russia’s second largest bank, could issue the Qatari wealth fund with $1.5 billion of new equity, says report.

Saudi Sipchem Signs $280m Refinancing Deals

The first instalment is due to be repaid in the second half of 2013.

Invest In GCC Stock Markets, UAE Real Estate, Says Expert

Signs of recovery are visible in the market with strong indications of growth, according to a senior official at Emirates NBD.

UAE’s Gulf Capital Buys Stake In Oilfield Services

Gulf Capital, which has around $1 billion in assets under management, did not provide financial terms.

Kuwait Watchdog Urges Better Islamic Finance Oversight

The number of Islamic financial firms which obey religious principles has increased substantially in Kuwait.

Mashreq Sees 10-15% Profit Rise In 2013

Chief executive Abdulaziz Al Ghurairis optimistic about the bank’s performance this year.

Dubai’s ICD Begins Talks On Refinancing

Dubai’s flagship investment vehicle is scheduled to repay a $2 billion loan.

GCC Online Banking ‘Less Mature’ Than Developed Markets

Demographics of the region’s internet users and number of people online suggest it could improve rapidly.

Credit Suisse’s Banking Head In Qatar Resigns

Rami Touma, a director at the bank, has been running Credit Suisse’s Qatar investment banking business since 2007.

Bank Muscat Forecasts 14-15% Growth

Oman will again spend heavily in 2013 on job creation and infrastructure projects.

Dubai’s Shuaa Capital Q4 Loss Narrows

The Dubai investment bank has laid off a third of its staff since 2011 and slashed operating costs.

Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank Reports Q4 Profit Drop

Decline was expected but still beat forecasts thanks to 10.8 per cent fall in impairments.

UAE Banks To Repay Crisis Capital As Value Diminishes

The UAE’s finance ministry placed Dhs70 billion with banks to shore up their balance sheets after the the financial crisis in 2008.

Qatar Posts $26bn Budget Surplus In Q2

More than double the 42.2 billion riyal surplus recorded in the same quarter of the previous year.

Number Of Bounced Cheques In UAE Drops 8.5%

Payments worth a total of Dhs46.8 billion were marked as invalid in 2012, a drop of 15.3 per cent.

Gulf’s Mixed Takaful Rules Hurting Margins

Lack of coordination among regulators is making life difficult for takaful operators, says insurance rating agency.

Location, New Rules May Aid Dubai’s Islamic Business Push

The emirate has set its sights on becoming a global centre for Islamic business activity.

Prepare For Bear Market In Bonds – Coutts Middle East

The private bank’s chief investment officer warns of losing money in Islamic bonds this year.

Saudi King Abdullah Replaces Saudi Market Regulator Head

Mohammed bin Abdulmalik Al al-Sheikh has been appointed as chairman of the Kingdom’s Capital Market Authority

Barclays’ Bosses Duck Qatar Questions

UK authorities have been investigating the bank’s fundraising from Qatar at the height of the 2008 financial crisis since July.

MENA M&A Deal Values Rise 42%, Volumes Fall 4% In 2012

The value of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) deals in the region reached $44.8 billion last year, says new study.

Dubai Islamic Bank’s Q4 Profit Up 33.9%, Beats Estimates

The lender said it recorded healthy growth across its asset and deposit bases last year.

Mashreq Reports 60% Jump In 2012 Net Profit

The bank’s profit rose on the back of increased fee and investment income.

Barclays Finance Director Lucas, Top Counsel To Retire

The British bank, battling with a series of scandals, has appointed headhunters to find suitable replacements.

Bonding Time In Islamic Finance

The Gulf is set for another bumper year of the sukuk.

REVEALED: Most Powerful Arabs In Finance

Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal tops the Gulf Business list of the most powerful Arabs in the finance sector.

Dubai Hopes New Standards Will Make It Global Sukuk Centre

The emirate’s detailed new standards are expected to provide assurances for sukuk holders and traders.