UAE’s Finablr considering London stock market launch

The company intends to use the net proceeds to finance expansion plans and reduce net debt

Investors flock to Saudi Aramco’s debut international bond

The bonds range in maturity from three to 30 years and are expected to attract demand from emerging markets and investment-grade buyers

Invest Bank shareholder meeting could set scene for another UAE bank merger

The government of Sharjah promised support late last year after the bank was hit by high levels of bad loans

Dubai Islamic Bank responds to reports of acquiring Noor Bank

A media report claimed Dubai Islamic Bank was in talks to buy its smaller rival

Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala to sell 30-40% stake in Cepsa to Carlyle

The deal values the Spanish company at an enterprise value of $12bn

Saudi banks to see double-digit asset growth by early 2020 – Samba CEO

Government plans to diversify its oil-based economy are expected to boost lending

First Abu Dhabi Bank, Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank deny merger talks

A wave of consolidation has been sweeping Abu Dhabi in recent times

HSBC opens new branch in Abu Dhabi Global Market

The UAE currently serves as HSBC’s headquarters for its operations in the MENAT region

Dubai’s Emirates NBD to buy Turkey’s Denizbank for $2.8bn in revised deal

The current offer is roughly 20 per cent lower than the $3.2bn agreement reached last year

UAE’s FTA starts receiving applications for refunding VAT to business visitors

The minimum VAT amount to reclaim is Dhs2,000

Dubai’s Mashreq to close 12 branches as it shifts online

In March, the lender’s CEO said the bank will close 50 per cent of its branches this year

UAE’s ADFG to take over Shuaa Capital in reverse merger by mid-April

Last month, Dubai-listed Shuaa disclosed it had started talks on a possible merger with the Abu Dhabi Financial Group

Renault alerts prosecutors to Oman dealer payments under Ghosn

Ghosn was arrested in Japan in November for suspected financial misconduct at Renault’s alliance partner Nissan

Dubai payments firm Network International’s share sale draws strong demand

The stock is expected to begin trading on the London Stock Exchange on April 11

Saudi Aramco gets first credit rating ahead of bond debut

Aramco intends to issue its first U.S. dollar-denominated bonds, expected to be for at least $10bn, in the second quarter

Saudi’s Kingdom Holding to invest Careem proceeds in Europe, Saudi – CEO

Uber acquired Careem this week in a $3.1bn deal

Jayash-Patel-Head-of-Liv-Emirates-NBD

Banking on the future

In recent years, FinTech has cut a swathe through the traditional banking industry. We find out how Emirates NBD offshoot, Liv., moved proactively to lead the way in the nascent digital-only banking market

Saudi Arabia extends domestic debt curve with new sukuk issue

The kingdom sold $1.62bn in local currency debt, with maturities of 10 and 15 years

UAE’s Shuaa Capital, ADFG mandate banks on merger plan – ADFG

Shuaa Capital said on Sunday that it had started discussions on a possible merger with ADFG

Abu Dhabi’s Al Hilal Bank cuts 160 jobs ahead of three-way merger – sources

The merger with Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank and Union National Bank is expected to created the UAE’s third largest lender

SHUAA Capital in merger talks with ADFG

The talks with Abu Dhabi Financial Group are aimed at creating a larger financial listed group

UAE banks suspend credit and debit card accounts for some users

The Central Bank ruled that all banks must have updated Emirates ID records for their customers by February 28

Dubai’s stock market drops after four straight days of gains

Developer Emaar Properties fell 1.7 per cent while its unit Emaar Malls shed 2.3 per cent

Emirates NBD lists $1bn bond on Nasdaq Dubai

The Dubai lender is the largest issuer of conventional bonds on Nasdaq Dubai

Abu Dhabi’s Aldar sells Al Murjan Tower for Dhs289m

The sale represents Aldar Investments’ second transaction this year

Saudi consumer prices fall for second straight month in Feb

The impact of implementation of a value-added tax last year eased this year

Saudi closes at near four-year high as it joins FTSE Russell index

Saudi shares have gained 9.6 per cent so far this year

Saudi’s Tadawul, the region’s biggest exchange, expects foreign investment to grow

Saudi shares on Monday joined the FTSE Emerging All Cap Index with a weighting of 2.9 per cent

Saudi wealth fund PIF hires former IFC official as chief economist

PIF, which is chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, manages over $250bn in assets

Saudi stocks set to receive $20bn windfall as kingdom joins major indices

Saudi stocks join the FTSE Emerging All Cap Index this week