Citigroup eyes Saudi expansion as banks aim to capitalise on reforms

Banks are vying for a role in Saudi Aramco’s planned initial public offering and state privatisation plans

Saudi stock exchange establishes $160m clearing company

The clearing house still start full operations next year

US Judge says Alibaba cannot block Dubai crypto firm from using similar name

The judge said it did not matter that Alibabacoin might eventually list its cryptocurrency on US exchanges

Bahrain’s Investcorp appoints new co-CEO, European head

Co-CEO Mohammed Al-Shroogi is preparing to retire later this year

UAE lender ADCB posts 9% increase in Q1 profit

The emirate’s second-largest bank by assets made a net profit attributable to shareholders of Dhs1.21bn

Abu Dhabi’s Al Hilal Bank uncovers internal fraud worth up to $173m – report

Staff stand accused of withdrawing funds from dormant customer accounts

Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala halts Abraaj investment deal talks

Dubai-based Abraaj is considering selling some or all of the unit following a row with four investors

Bahrain’s GIB launches Shariah-compliant digital banking service

GIB is owned by the six GCC governments

UAE Exchange, Travelex owner prepares for London IPO

UAE Exchange is aiming to increase its share of the $575bn global remittance industry

Saudi reforms should bring flood of foreign funds in 2018

Reversing the trend would shift the outlook for an economy which shrank last year for the first time in nearly a decade

Japan’s Mizuho pulled out of Qatar bond amid Gulf dispute

Qatar issued $12bn of bonds last week

Dubai’s Emirates NBD expands its bank in Saudi Arabia

Emirates NBD is the latest foreign bank seeking to expand its presence in Saudi Arabia

Dubai royal’s JV launches crypto assets backed by diamonds

Al Kasir Group claims to be backed by a Dubai royal family member

Dubai’s Abraaj hires Deloitte for business review

Abraaj has been trying to stem the fallout from a row with four of its investors

Dubai’s Alibabacoin says Alibaba has no monopoly on name

Alibabacoin said it has not been trying to piggyback off the Alibaba name

Saudi Arabia beats Qatar to market with $11bn bond issue

Saudi Arabia is planning to issue seven-year, 12-year and 31-year notes

Dubai’s Abraaj hires Houlihan Lokey for advice after dispute

Abraaj has denied money was misused in a $1bn healthcare fund

Islamic scholars debate validity of cryptocurrencies

The issue of religious permissibility could help determine whether Islamic financial firms can invest in cryptocurrencies

Saudi exchange counting on foreign funds to aid Aramco IPO

If Saudi officials are relying on foreign fund inflows for Aramco they may be tempted to wait until early 2019

UK injunction restricts Dana Gas dividends in $700m sukuk dispute

The injunction is the latest salvo in a complex legal battle in the UAE and Britain

Alibaba files lawsuit against Dubai firm behind ‘Alibabacoin’

Alibaba accused Alibabacoin of using its “single-minded focus to capitalise on plaintiff’s reputation for success”

UAE’s Tabarak given more time to close United Arab Bank stake buy

An exclusivity agreement granted to the private equity firm to finalise the purchase expired on Monday

Cashing out? The future of payments

As digital payments continue to close the gap on cash across the GCC, what is the future of payments in the region?

UAE money exchange houses ordered to raise standards by regulator

The UAE’s huge expatriate workforce and growing business and tourism sectors have made it a global centre for exchanging foreign currencies

Dubai-based Noor Bank plans roadshows next week for sukuk

Citigroup, Deutsche Bank and Standard Chartered are arranging the issue, which will likely have a five year duration, according to sources

WGC, IIFM to develop standards for gold-based Islamic contracts

Gold had traditionally been classified as a currency in Islamic finance, confining its use to spot transactions

UAE’s Mubadala, Greece’s Taneo to invest EUR400m in Greece

Each will invest EUR200m in businesses with growth potential across key sectors in Greece

Abraaj may sell part of investment management business, say sources

The private equity firm is said to be in talks with Abu Dhabi Financial Group and international financial companies

UAE’s Dana Gas plans cash dividend despite $700m sukuk dispute

The dividend would total about $95m, equivalent to 5 per cent of capital

VAT: What are the regulatory challenges for businesses in UAE, Saudi?

Most local businesses do not have VAT capabilities already built into their IT systems