UAE’s Financial Advisory Businesses Buck Global Trend

Nearly three out of four UAE financial advisers are in a growth phase, a study found.

Bahrain In Early Stages Of Bank Merger Wave

The tiny kingdom’s banking industry was hit hard by the global financial crisis and, since 2011, by political unrest.

Western Expats Rank UAE As Ideal Residence

Despite high levels of expenditure on luxury, UAE-based western expats were also found to be spending on investments.

Oman’s Renaissance Unit Prices $350m Debut Bond

The five-year offering carried a coupon of 8.625 per cent

US Judge Narrows Masreq Claims Versus ING Over Investment Losses

Dubai-based Mashreq alleged ING Groep NV lost over $40 million of its money by investing it in “toxic” securities.

UAE’s First Gulf Bank Acquires 100% Stake In Islamic Finance Firm

FGB raised its ownership from 40 per cent to 100 per cent in Aseel Islamic Finance

UAE Signs $4.9bn Aid Package To Egypt

Over $1 billion of the money pledged will go to supply Egypt with fuel

UAE’s Local Banks Aggressively Grab Market Share

Local banks have been quick to lend more and offer more sophisticated services as international banks nurse lingering wounds.

Dubai Business Confidence Soars On Expo Hopes

Dubai’s business confidence is at a record high as the announcement of the Expo 2020 host city nears.

Dubai’s Emirates NBD Q3 Net Profit Trimmed By Provisions Spike

The lender made a net profit of Dhs775 million in the three months to September, up 21 per cent from Q3 2012.

Dubai’s New Property Rules Reduce Risks For UAE Banks

Despite signs of economic improvement, banks are still dealing with asset quality problems from the 2008 crisis, says Fitch

Damac Boss: UAE Banks “Too Timid”, Not Lending Enough

The Dubai-based property developer said that facilitating mortgages for non-residents would help drive real estate investments.

UAE Firms To Increase Wages By 5.2% In 2013

According to a Mercer survey, the UAE’s above global average pay rise is a long running trend in the region.

Qatar National Bank To Sell Dual-Tranche Bond

QNB will issue three-year floating rate notes

Dubai Ruler Promotes Essa Kazim To Dubai Financial Market Chairman

Kazim, currently CEO of DFM, replaces veteran banker Abduljalil Yousuf Darwish

Bahrain’s Ahli United Says IFC Fund Buys 167m Shares

The lender said the shares were converted at a price of 74.8 US cents per share

Kuwait Gives Egypt 5 Years To Repay $2bn Deposit: Egyptian PM

Egypt’s central bank received the $2 billion deposit from Kuwait on Sept. 26.

Qatar Islamic Bank Misses Q3 Forecasts As Profit Drops 12.4%

The bank made a net profit of $94.8 million in the three months to Sept. 30.

Oman’s Galfar Engineering Rights Issue 96% Subscribed

The Omani construction company raised OMR13.29 million through the issue.

dirhams

MENA’s Private Equity To Pick Up In 2014

According to a Deloitte survey, confidence among private equity professionals in exits via IPOs has increased.

Coutts Announces Advisory Board For Middle East

The private lender’s growth plans for the Middle East are more aggressive than in other parts of the world.

Serbia Hopes For Loan Talks With UAE

Last week Belgrade launched measures to trim a budget deficit estimated by the IMF at above seven per cent of output.

How Business Powers Polo – And Vice Versa

In an exclusive on-the-field interview, Ron Wahid, CEO of RJI Capital, reveals how polo and business go hand-in-hand in the English countryside.

S.Korea Signs $5.4bn Currency Swap Deal With UAE

The arrangement lets either country swap 5.8 trillion Korean won for 20 billion dirham, or vice versa.

Oman’s Bank Dhofar Q3 Net Profit Declines 10.8%

Oman’s second-largest bank by market value made a profit of OMR8.3 million

Different Arab money

Malaysia, UAE Tie Up To Boost Economic Ties, Islamic Finance

The two financial hubs held a combined $181 billion in sharia-compliant banking assets as of 2011

UAE Economy Back On Track

It’s been a landmark year for the UAE as the economy rebounds, but debt worries and nationalisation concerns still loom.

MENA IPO Values Down 45% In Q3 2013

The region’s sole IPO in the third quarter of the year raised $138 million, lower than the $252.3 million raised in Q3 2012.

Citi, Qatar Bank Hold Up Al Jaber’s $4.5bn Debt Talks

Abu Dhabi conglomerate Al Jaber Group set up a five-bank creditor committee in 2011 to negotiate a $4.5 billion restructuring

Abu Dhabi’s Aldar Seeks $1.5bn Finance Before Bond Maturity

The proposed financing comes ahead of a $1.25 billion bond maturity in May 2014