2021 was a record year for global M&A market: Lex Mundi

Lex Mundi’s Global M&A Trends Report 2022 predicts as much, if not more, deal activity in both public and private mergers and acquisitions this year

Cover story: Why the chairman of UAE’s Century Financial feels a people-centric approach is a game changer

The key to a strong relationship with investors is offering them best-in-class support, explains the company’s CEO and chairman Bal Krishen

Dubai International Financial Centre achieves record company registrations in 2021

Last year, the financial centre also recorded its highest ever annual revenue and operating profit

UAE digital bank Zand wins backing from Franklin, Aditya Birla

Digital banks have taken off with the spread of finance technology in Middle East

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia’s sovereign fund backs new digital bank called D360

The Saudi cabinet approved a licence for D360 bank on Tuesday

Flooss, a new digital payment platform, launched in Bahrain

Mastercard has partnered with Payment International Enterprise to launch Flooss across Bahrain and the region

Dubai Islamic Bank lists $750m sukuk on Nasdaq Dubai

The issuance was oversubscribed by more than 2.5 times

Israeli firm to help Dubai’s Mashreqbank detect financial crimes

It follows Israel and the UAE normalising relations in 2020

Middle East M&A activity scales 51% in 2021

The region’s M&A deal volumes for FY 2021 were up 58 per cent from 2020

Why the CEO of CoinMENA thinks cryptocurrencies are the future of finance

Looking to invest in crypto assets? Talal Tabbaa advises starting small, paying attention to trends and adopting a long-term outlook

Brazil

UAE’s Mubadala Capital raises $322m in first investment fund in Brazil

Mubadala Capital manages over $10bn of assets in third-party managed funds across its Brazil, private equity, public equities and venture capital businesses

UAE’s Aldar to receive $1.4bn investment from Apollo Global Management

The deal will see Apollo take a direct minority stake in Aldar Investment Properties at its net asset value

How 2021 was a promising year for global equities

Several trends emerged over last year

Gold holds biggest gain since October as investors seek haven

Bullion’s appeal as a store of value is being burnished by risk aversion in markets and a surge in inflation worldwide

Air pollution costs wider Mideast $141bn, World Bank says

The findings will likely add to growing interest in green and sustainability-linked bonds and loans in the region

UAE’s ADQ, Alpha Dhabi, Etisalat and FAB to launch next-gen banking platform

Wio will offer customers in the UAE a fully digital banking choice with tailored products and services to meet their lifestyles and needs

UAE’s Alpha Dhabi Holding posts Dhs5.1bn in net profit for 2021

The company reported revenues of Dhs18.8bn

EFG Hermes completes advisory on Macro Group’s $83m IPO

The IPO is the first listing of a cosmeceutical company on the Egyptian Exchange

Investors are waiting for the right opportunity: UBS

UBS’ Investor Sentiment Survey found that UAE investors were concerned about the pandemic, rising healthcare costs and the global trade conflict

Bahrain’s GFH Financial Group reports net profit of $84.22m in 2021

The group’s net profit increased by 86.77 per cent over 2020, supported by diversification and an international investment portfolio

First Abu Dhabi Bank makes offer to acquire majority stake in EFG Hermes Holding

The potential acquisition would be paid for in cash

Dubai Islamic Bank prices $750m senior sukuk

The sukuk will be listed on Euronext Dublin and Nasdaq Dubai

Cover story: Investment is a level playing field, says Dubai’s AIX

The Covid-19 pandemic has effectively broadened the investment landscape, explains AIX Investment Group’s board advisor Fadi Dabbagh

Bitcoin’s recovery rally stalls as traders turn focus to $45,000

Analysts have noted that cryptocurrencies have lately been moving in tandem with other riskier assets

Dubai Financial Services Authority signs MoU with India’s IFSCA

The agreement sets a framework for mutual assistance and exchange of information in areas, including money laundering and terrorism financing

Abu Dhabi Ports surges on debut after $1.1bn share sale

In 2021, Abu Dhabi Ports handled 45 million tons of general cargo volumes

Saudi Arabia

Saudi wealth fund edges closer to green bond with Moody’s rating

Last week, Fitch Ratings gave the fund a rating of A

Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank posts 45% rise in net profit for 2021

The bank’s revenue increased 4 per cent to Dhs5.56bn

Abu Dhabi

AD Ports Group lists shares on Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange

The company will commence trading on the main exchange from February 8

CBUAE selects Accenture to develop UAE’s National Instant Payment Platform

The platform, which allows real-time payments and fund transfers round the clock, will support SMEs, larger companies and financial institutions