Saudi’s SABB Q3 Profit Down 28.3% From Q2

The Saudi lender posted a profit of SAR 656 million for the three months ended 30 September 2012.

Saudi Hollandi Bank Posts 5.9% Rise In Q3 Profit

The Kingdom’s eighth-largest lender said that it made SAR317 million in the third quarter of the year.

Qatar Prospects Lure Region’s Top Bankers

Global firms and large regional names are losing their top talent to Qatari lenders who offer better pay and stability.

Abu Dhabi’s NBAD Places $32m Renminbi Bond

BNP Paribas arranged the deal, which will settle on October 16.

Riyad Bank And Arab National Post Higher Profits

Both Saudi Arabian lenders have seen their operating income rise for the third quarter.

UAE Federal Budget Gap Rises To $762m In H1

The UAE’s federal budget deficit reportedly rose to Dhs2.8 billion in January-June, above the government’s original forecast.

UAE Central Bank Extends Lending Cap By Six Months – NBAD

The central bank introduced caps for loans made to local governments and their entities in April this year.

National Bank Of Abu Dhabi To Expand Islamic Banking

NBAD is looking to reap 10 per cent of its operating income from Islamic banking by 2020, up from three per cent currently.

Alwaleed’s Kingdom To Book Gain From Land Sale In Q3

Kingdom Holding sold the plot in Riyadh for $66.6 million.

Qatar National Bank’s Q3 Profit Up 10.5%

Qatar’s indicator for sector performance in the region reports a 15 per cent rise in net profit for first nine months of the year.

Alwaleed’s Kingdom Holding Plans Up To $500m Loan

The proceeds will be used to refinance existing debts, said sources.

Saudi Says IMF’s 2016 Deficit Forecast Is ‘Doomsday Scenario’

The IMF said its base scenario envisaged a fiscal deficit of 0.6 per cent of GDP by 2016.

Barclays Replaced By National Bank of Fujairah On UAE Rate Panel

UK-based Barclays quit the panel in July.

Kuwait Central Bank Cuts Discount Rate To 2%

The move is expected to boost Kuwait’s banking sector.

Dubai’s Shuaa Hopes To Break-Even In 2013

The investment bank’s shares are down 93 per cent from a 2008 peak.

Qatar Islamic Bank Launches $750m Sukuk

Order books for the deal reportedly hit over $6 billion ahead of launch.

UAE And Moroccan Banks Bid For BNP Egypt

Emirates NBD and Attijariwafa Bank are the front-runners to pick up the French bank’s Egyptian arm.

Barwa Bank Eyes Potential IPO On Doha Bourse

The Qatari lender, part-owned by Qatar Holding, revealed profits last year of 243.7 million riyals.

First Gulf Bank Eyes Five-Year Bond

The Abu Dhabi bank is planning a $500 million bond as an existing one to mature in 2017 yields 2.7 per cent.

UAE Banks Lending Limit Deadline Passes

The date set for banks to reduce their exposure to the government has passed with no word from the Central Bank.

Dubai’s DIFC To Stage Forum For MENA Leaders

In partnership with Deutsche Bank, the new DIFC Forum will open up discussions on doing business in the MENA and Asia regions.

ADCB Takes Legal Action Against Sheikh Hamdan’s Firm

Zabeel Investments allegedly owes $107 million to the Abu Dhabi bank which has filed for legal procedures.

Middle East Banking Jobs Slashed By Global Giants

Some of the world’s biggest banks are cutting jobs in their Middle Eastern operations in cost cutting measures.

Kuwait To Pass 2012/13 Budget Via Decree Soon

The draft budget, outlined in March, anticipates a spending increase of about 13 per cent.

Bahrain’s GFH To Arrange Leeds United FC’s Acquisition

Gulf Finance House will lead the purchase of the football club’s parent company, though no dates or terms are announced.

National Bank Of Fujairah Replaces Barclays On Eibor Panel

NBF will take the international bank’s seat on the UAE rate panel following Barclays’ Libor scandal.

Qatar Islamic Bank Plans Dollar-Denominated Sukuk

A whistle-stop tour of Singapore, UAE and London as Deutsche Bank, HSBC and QInvest LLC are mandated for the Islamic bond.

J.P.Morgan Invests $20m In Dubai E-Commerce Startup

The London-based investment fund has backed online fashion site Namshi just one year after it launched.

Bahrain’s GIB Updates $4bn Bond Programme

Gulf International Bank’s bond programme is 97.2 per cent owned by the Saudi government, giving a safer level of risk.

UAE’s First Gulf Bank Eyes Bond Issue

FGB has hired five banks for a new benchmark bond, according to sources.