#finance

OPEC Fund for development raises $1bn thru debut SDG bond _ photo courtesy OPEC FUND

OPEC Fund’s debut SDG bond raises $1bn

The bond proceeds will be allocated according to the specific criteria defined in the SDG Bond Framework focusing on food security, healthcare, infrastructure, education, employment, and renewable energy

wealth management trends - Abdulmohsin Al Omran, founder and CEO, The Family Office,

How is wealth management faring across the GCC?

Abdulmohsin Al Omran, founder and CEO, The Family Office, gives Gulf Business the lowdown

Jadwa divests stake in Luberef

Davos 2023: Saudi Arabia open to talks on trade in currencies besides dollar

The world’s largest oil exporter is seeking to strengthen its relations with crucial trade partners

Banking

Here are the top 5 tools and technologies for smart banking

Technology integration in banking has exposed a whole new spectrum of capabilities that can be leveraged to improve performances by gaining an intricate understanding of operations

Saudi National Bank to raise capital in Credit Suisse by $4.1bn

Saudi National Bank to raise capital in Credit Suisse by $4.1bn

Saudi National Bank was an anchor investor in Credit Suisse’s capital raise and now holds 9.9 per cent in the firm

Tesla

Dubai Islamic Bank launches financing solution for future Tesla owners

The fully digital financing process will make it easier for Tesla customers to apply for auto financing and improve their buying experience

Central-Bank-of-the-UAE

UAE Central Bank issues new anti-money laundering guidelines

The new guidelines involve the use of digital ID systems by LFIs to address their customer due diligence obligations

UAE israel hold financial dialogue

UAE holds first ‘Financial Dialogue’ with Israel

The virtual session covered issues related to macroeconomic trends and policies, cyber-financial cooperation, and opportunities for bilateral cooperation

Emirates NBD issues Dhs 1 billion bond

Dubai’s Emirates NBD successfully issues three-year Dhs1bn bond

The issuance is the first dirham-denominated bond by a bank since the creation of a medium-term yield curve by the Ministry of Finance

DFM and DWTC to host IPO summit in Dubai

Dubai Financial Market, DWTC set to host first MENA IPO Summit – Dubai

The inaugural summit will take place from January 23-25 at The Museum of the Future

ADAA launches smart app_courtesy Abu Dhabi Media Office

Abu Dhabi Accountability Authority’s new app allows reporting of financial, administrative misconduct

The app maintains user confidentiality and privacy, while aiming to build and sustain trust in the emirate’s financial and economic systems

Saudi Arabia's central bank launches open banking lab

Saudi Central Bank launches Open Banking Lab

The bank is tracking the development of banks and fintechs to ensure their readiness to launch open banking services in Q1 2023

Flat6Labs, Wio Bank ink MoU to enhance SME-centric banking services in Abu Dhabi

In addition to banking services, Wio Bank will provide experts and mentors to support startups in Flat6Labs Ignite’s programme

Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank launches tokenised, contactless payment method

Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank launches tokenised, contactless payment method

Once provisioned, customers can make quick and easy payments with the tap of their wristwatch and instantly view their transaction history in the app

Al Etihad Credit Bureau strengthens credit registry in collaboration with UAE Ministry of Justic

Al Etihad Credit Bureau strengthens credit registry in collaboration with UAE Ministry of Justice

AECB provides credit reports by collecting and analysing data on the credit histories of individuals and businesses, including cheque issuances and clearances and utility payments

investors

HNWI investors will be on the move, geographically and strategically, in 2023

Akshay Sardana, VP of Strategy and International Development at The Continental Group, offers insights on these trends

First-Abu-Dhabi-Bank

First Abu Dhabi Bank, Magnati, PayRow Net to develop digital payment platform

The streamlining and automating of revenue collection will help government entities to better plan and forecast as well as focus on their core business and services

CBUAE issues new AML CFT guidelines

Central Bank of UAE issues new guidelines on anti-money laundering for insurance sector

The guidelines will support licensed financial institutions effectively implement their statutory obligations related to anti-money laundering and combatting the financing of terrorism

UAE: The year 2022 in review

The UAE has accelerated its growth this year with key strategies, strong initiatives and a future-first approach

UAE trade agreements

UAE funds to buy $855m stake in Israeli financial firm

Phoenix Group is listed on the Tel Aviv stock exchange, with a market value of $2.85bn

Nomura

Nomura to hire bankers in Dubai for Middle East push

The Japanese firm has received in-principle approvals from the Monetary Authority of Singapore and Dubai Financial Services Authority to set up a branch in the Middle East

Remittances rise by 5%, reveals world bank report

Remittances see 5% rise in 2022, reveals World Bank report

Remittances to the developing countries of the MENA region are estimated to have grown 2.5 per cent in 2022 to $63bn, compared to a 10.5 per cent growth last year

New banknote pic WAM

CBUAE issues new Dhs1,000 banknote

The CBUAE is the first in the region to issue the largest multi-coloured Kinegram surface applied foil stripe in the new banknote issue

Emirates Pay _ Nandan Mer, Group CEO Network International and Ahmed Al Qassim, Senior Executive Vice President and Group Head, Corporate and Institutional Banking at Emirates NBD

Emirates NBD, Network International launch Emirates NBD Pay

Emirates NBD Pay will offer card acceptance solutions to the bank’s existing and potential institutional banking clients in the UAE

Virtual assets Emmanuel Givanakis CEO of ADGM Financial Services Regulatory Authority

Insights: Decoding the virtual asset landscape

The establishment of digital asset and virtual asset regulatory frameworks has placed Abu Dhabi, on the map as a regional and global virtual assets trading centre

ACCA MoE sign partenership Fazeela Gopalani

Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, UAE Ministry of Economy sign strategic partnership

The new programme will support and encourage UAE citizens with various specialisations to enter into the financial and accounting sectors

Qashio

UAE-based fintech Qashio raises $10m in a seed round

The company’s virtual and physical cards combined with its software allow businesses to manage their spending in a more automated and transparent way

Dubai Financial market

Dubai Financial Market launches new general index

The developed indices provide various market participants with investable and tradeable benchmarks for the DFM equity market

ADGM partners with ADIB, Wio Bank and RAKBANK

Abu Dhabi Global Market partners with ADIB, Wio Bank, RAKBANK to support SMEs

The partnerships with ADIB and RAKBANK will focus on providing ADGM-registered and licensed businesses with preferential banking services

Martin Tricaud of first Abu Dhabi Bank

Insights: How banks can unlock the finance needed to get to net zero

First Abu Dhabi Bank has structured green financing for the development of renewable energy projects, the construction of energy efficient buildings and infrastructure development for sustainable water management