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.

Waha Capital Reports 38.1% Rise In Profit

The Abu Dhabi-company put the increase down to its shares in aviation investee company Aercap.

Dubai’s Shuaa Launches Saudi Lease Financing Company

Jeddah-based Gulf Installments will focus on offering Sharia compliant services to SMEs in Saudi Arabia.

Oman Rules May Spur Reform Of Islamic Finance Scholars

Oman is the last country in the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council to introduce Islamic banking.

Abu Dhabi Stock Market Makes Biggest Monthly Gain In 5 Years

The market rose 9.5 per cent in January, mainly driven by a rise in bank shares.

Emirates NBD Sees Q4 Net Profit More Than Triple To $170m

The lender’s profits rose on lower impairments and increased non interest income.

UAE’s NBAD Eyes Overseas For Growth

Earnings from international clients rose four per cent in 2012.

Saudi’s Kingdom Holding In Islamic Financing Push

The firm, owned by Saudi billionaire Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal, has formed a sharia board to raise more of its funds through Islamic finance.

Tamweel Repays $300m Five-Year Sukuk

Tamweel has been the focus of a full takeover offer by its majority shareholder Dubai Islamic Bank.

Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank Q4 Profit Jumps 32%, Beats Estimates

ADCB’s fourth quarter profit rose on higher net-interest income and lower provisions.

UAE’s First Gulf Bank Q4 Profit Up 12%, Beats Forecast

The lender’s profits were boosted by higher interest income and Islamic financing.

HSBC’s Oman Unit Sees 62.7% Drop In 2012 Profit

HSBC Bank Oman, formed by a merger of HSBC’s Oman unit and Oman International Bank, made a net profit of OMR5.8 million in 2012.

Bahrain’s Investcorp Reports Massive Rise In H1 Profit

The investment firm’s net profit rose to $39.2 million for the six months ended December 31, up from $5.2 million in the same period a year ago.

High-Profile Islamic Finance Firm Dar Al Istithmar Closes

Most of its staff moved to Khalij Islamic, another investment firm with offices in London and Dubai, says sources.

Saudi’s Maaden Eyes $7bn Finance

The money will fund the Umm Wual phosphate project at Waad Al-Shimal City.

Mubadala In $2bn Refinancing Launch

Banks taking part will also be chosen for future work.

Foreign “Smart Money” Lifts Dubai Stock Exchange To 34-Month High

The Dubai index is buoyed by foreign investors buying into the emirate’s economic recovery.