Saudi court rejects AHAB bankruptcy filings after decade-long dispute

The conglomerate was the first high-profile company to file for a settlement under Saudi Arabia’s new bankruptcy law

Abu Dhabi’s ADGM regulator fines Eshara Capital and its CEO for breach

The investment fund and its CEO were individually fined $10,000 for failing to submit audit reports on time

UAE’s Brooge Petroleum to list on Nasdaq after merger

The $1bn merger deal with US-based firm Twelve Seas Investment is expected to be finalised before July 1

Dubai regulator in contact with US authorities about Abraaj case

The Dubai Financial Services Authority has been investigating Abraaj Capital, an entity of the collapsed firm

National Bank of Kuwait Q1 net profit up 15.1%, beats forecasts

The bank said the increase in net interest income reflected strong growth in business volumes

Saudi wealth fund PIF in talks to raise up to $8bn bridge loan

The loan will be repaid from the proceeds PIF gets from selling its SABIC stake, a source said

Abu Dhabi stock market hits multi-year high on FAB’s foreign ownership limit increase

Foreigners will be allowed to own as much as 40 per cent of FAB stock from a previous limit of 25 per cent

Top Abraaj executives including founder Naqvi arrested on US fraud charges

Abraaj had been the largest buyout fund in the MENA region until it collapsed in the middle of 2018 over fraud charges

Invest Bank shareholders approve Sharjah government as controlling shareholder

The government previously promised to support the bank after it was hit by high levels of bad loans

Abu Dhabi fund Mubadala opens second US office in New York

The New York office will focus on financial services and private equity

HSBC appoints new regional CEO for MENA, Turkey

Martin Tricaud takes over from Georges Elhedery, who has been appointed to lead HSBC’s Global Markets division

Saudi Aramco sells $12bn bonds out of record $100bn demand

State-owned Aramco’s bond issue is split into maturities ranging from three to 30 years

UAE’s Finablr considering London stock market launch

The company intends to use the net proceeds to finance expansion plans and reduce net debt

Investors flock to Saudi Aramco’s debut international bond

The bonds range in maturity from three to 30 years and are expected to attract demand from emerging markets and investment-grade buyers

Invest Bank shareholder meeting could set scene for another UAE bank merger

The government of Sharjah promised support late last year after the bank was hit by high levels of bad loans

Dubai Islamic Bank responds to reports of acquiring Noor Bank

A media report claimed Dubai Islamic Bank was in talks to buy its smaller rival

Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala to sell 30-40% stake in Cepsa to Carlyle

The deal values the Spanish company at an enterprise value of $12bn

Saudi banks to see double-digit asset growth by early 2020 – Samba CEO

Government plans to diversify its oil-based economy are expected to boost lending

First Abu Dhabi Bank, Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank deny merger talks

A wave of consolidation has been sweeping Abu Dhabi in recent times

HSBC opens new branch in Abu Dhabi Global Market

The UAE currently serves as HSBC’s headquarters for its operations in the MENAT region

Dubai’s Emirates NBD to buy Turkey’s Denizbank for $2.8bn in revised deal

The current offer is roughly 20 per cent lower than the $3.2bn agreement reached last year

UAE’s FTA starts receiving applications for refunding VAT to business visitors

The minimum VAT amount to reclaim is Dhs2,000

Dubai’s Mashreq to close 12 branches as it shifts online

In March, the lender’s CEO said the bank will close 50 per cent of its branches this year

UAE’s ADFG to take over Shuaa Capital in reverse merger by mid-April

Last month, Dubai-listed Shuaa disclosed it had started talks on a possible merger with the Abu Dhabi Financial Group

Renault alerts prosecutors to Oman dealer payments under Ghosn

Ghosn was arrested in Japan in November for suspected financial misconduct at Renault’s alliance partner Nissan

Dubai payments firm Network International’s share sale draws strong demand

The stock is expected to begin trading on the London Stock Exchange on April 11

Saudi Aramco gets first credit rating ahead of bond debut

Aramco intends to issue its first U.S. dollar-denominated bonds, expected to be for at least $10bn, in the second quarter

Saudi’s Kingdom Holding to invest Careem proceeds in Europe, Saudi – CEO

Uber acquired Careem this week in a $3.1bn deal

Jayash-Patel-Head-of-Liv-Emirates-NBD

Banking on the future

In recent years, FinTech has cut a swathe through the traditional banking industry. We find out how Emirates NBD offshoot, Liv., moved proactively to lead the way in the nascent digital-only banking market

Saudi Arabia extends domestic debt curve with new sukuk issue

The kingdom sold $1.62bn in local currency debt, with maturities of 10 and 15 years