Visa commits $210m to support small and micro businesses, offer Covid-19 relief

Small and micro businesses make up more than 90 per cent of worldwide businesses, contributing 50 to 60 per cent of global employment

Regulator of Dubai’s financial hub DIFC proposes relief measures for firms

Certain fees have been waived and extensions have been granted for some of the processes

Kuwait’s wealth fund on standby as oil price, virus hit finances

By law, 10 per cent of state revenue is annually transferred into the Future Generations Fund, which invests abroad and has adequate liquidity to meet any requirement

Dubai Islamic Bank reveals $425m of exposure to NMC Health

Dubai Islamic Bank is in talks with NMC’s other main creditors and advisers to ascertain the hospital operator’s financial position

Central Bank UAE

UAE Central Bank appoints new governor; extends debt relief measures to December 31

Saeed replaces Mubarak Rashed Khamis Al Mansoori who occupied the post since 2014

NMC’s new chairman asks for ‘patience’ as creditor ADCB seeks to appoint administrators

Placing the company in administration would create “considerable downsides” on the community, country, the company and its creditors, said Belhoul

Binance

Can banks play the fintech game?

Banks, having recognised the need for the integration between finance and technology, have had to re-assess their digital strategies and collaboration with third-party service providers to stay relevant

ADCB’s $981m NMC exposure risks wiping out 80% of profit

ADCB had total assets of Dhs405bn at the end of last year

Abu Dhabi bank ADCB says no layoffs in 2020 due to Covid-19 impact

The lender, the third largest in the UAE, is also participating in a package of financial incentives

Saudi tells banks to support businesses to avoid job cuts

Central banks around the world have unveiled emergency stimulus packages

Kuwait leads drop in Mideast stocks after downgrade

Kuwait was downgraded one level to AA-, with S&P maintaining a stable outlook

Bahrain’s GIB hires Deutsche Bank’s Jamal Al Kishi as CEO

A number of executives have exited Deutsche Bank’s Middle East operations in recent times

Ajman Bank says it will not lay off any of its employees in 2020

The move comes despite the economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic

Three ways Fintech is transforming everyday life

Fintech: The journey from disruptor to normaliser

Fintech has grown in momentum and usage and unsurprisingly, global trends reflect the same

Banks to replenish ATMs with new banknotes – UAE Central Bank

Banks must also provide disposable latex gloves to its customers using the ATM machines

Abu Dhabi banks announce 17 initiatives amid Covid-19 crises

Individual customers will be able to obtain a three-month deferral on their existing personal and auto loans, mortgages and credit card payments with no penalties

RAKBANK reveals measures to support those affected by Covid-19 outbreak

RAKBANK will collaborate with individual customers, SMEs and large corporates on a case-by-case basis to provide flexible solutions

Dubai Financial Services Authority

Dubai financial regulator DFSA warns against increased cyber attacks, frauds

DIFC firms were encouraged to deploy DFSA’s Threat Intelligence Platform to enhance their cybersecurity

Senior exec fined $87,500, banned from Dubai’s DIFC for ‘serious breaches’

The executive was found to have carried out client transactions “without authorisation” and engaged in “misleading and deceptive conduct”

Nasdaq Dubai

Sharjah lists $200m sukuk on Nasdaq Dubai

The emirate listed a $1bn sukuk on Nasdaq Dubai in April 2019, and another $750m sukuk in October

Dubai banks to offer virus relief to companies, individuals

Starting April 1, Dubai-based banks will waive loan repayments for three months for individuals forced to take unpaid leave, and for small businesses

UAE to limit daily decline in shares to 5% from March 18

Dubai and Abu Dhabi’s main stock indexes are both down 32 per cent this month

UAE Exchange placed under Central Bank supervision

Earlier this week, the company said that it was stopping all new transactions

finablr bayanpay

Finablr starts preparing for potential insolvency

Finablr had a market value of $94m when it was halted from trading this week

Aramco keeps $75bn dividend promise even with oil’s plunge

The kingdom needs an oil price of $84 to balance this year’s budget

Dubai exchange shuts trading floor to prevent spread of virus

The trading floor will be shut from Monday until further notice

Abu Dhabi’s ADX to close trading halls on virus concerns

The Exchange will continue to provide access to trading services through its Sahmi digital platform

UAE stocks drop amid mounting virus concerns

Dubai’s main index fell 3.6 per cent as of 10.42 am local time

UAE Central Bank announces Dhs100bn package to counter Covid-19

Banks across the country are expected to exercise stable lending practices and treat customers fairly

finablr bayanpay

BR Shetty’s Finablr takes urgent steps on liquidity as NMC fallout spreads

Finablr’s shares have declined 87 per cent so far this year