ISDB LLF 2.0 launched photo Twitter IsDB

Development bank IsDB, partners launch Lives and Livelihoods Fund 2.0

The committed resources for the fund are aimed at supporting 32 member countries of the bank to achieve 10 of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals

Al Ansari Financial Services Q1 2023

Al Ansari Financial Services reports 7.2% rise in net profit to Dhs133m for Q1 2023

The performance is attributed to a strong increase in exchange income from bank notes, pre-paid cards products, operating leverage and rise in transactions through digital channels

IHC photo twitter IHC official

Abu Dhabi-based IHC posts 20.5% rise in Q1 net profit to Dhs4.3bn

The company achieved a robust revenue increase of 50 per cent versus Q1 2022, reaching Dhs15.7bn during Q1 2023

UAE debut T-Sukuk oversubcribed

UAE’s debut Islamic treasury bonds attracts bids worth Dhs8.3bn

The T-Sukuk auction will be followed by a listing on Nasdaq Dubai to promote secondary market trading along with primary dealers

EDB adds new financing sector

Emirates Development Bank to finance UAE renewables sector

The bank is now two years into an ambitious five-year strategy aimed at empowering SMEs and large corporates in five priority sectors

DIFC innovation Hub AECB sign agreement to support fintechs

DIFC Innovation Hub, AECB to empower fintech startups in the UAE

The bureau will enable the DIFC Innovation Hub community to tap into new data sets to boost fintech development in the UAE market

credit cards

RAKBANK launches digital on-boarding solution for instant credit cards

New customers who apply for a credit card through the bank’s app will also enjoy a host of benefits, including cashback up to Dhs1,000

Emirates NBD partners with DIFC to advance shared goal of supporting the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 - Image

Emirates NBD, DIFC to support Dubai Economic Agenda D33 goals

The joint initiative aims to encourage national talent, drive innovation and entrepreneurial growth

ADNOC Logistics shares will begin trading June 1

ADNOC to sell 15% stake in logistics unit in Abu Dhabi IPO

The share sale comes just a few months after state-owned ADNOC raised $2.5bn in the listing of its gas business

Gavin Aspden PwC ethics and accountability

Accountability: Building trust and ethics in the digital age

With clear ethical frameworks and accountability in place, businesses can have the confidence that they are acting morally and ensure trust is maintained by protecting their data

ADGM to expand jurisdiction May 2023

ADGM Financial District to expand, making it one among world’s largest financial centres

The UAE Cabinet’s resolution has expanded ADGM’s jurisdiction to Al Reem island in addition to Al Maryah island

EDB CEO, Ahmed Mohamed Al Naqbi

UAE’s EDB, Ministry of Economy recognise partner banks

The bank’s credit guarantee scheme aims to help SMEs overcome challenges in accessing financing from conventional banks

Saudi Arabia banking sector

How Saudi Arabia’s banking system is building a solid future

Saudi banks stand to remain on a profitable path in 2023 with corporate lending continuing to drive credit growth in the sector

Mubadala, ADIB deal

Mubadala offloads 7.6% ADIB stake to National Holding

The state investor said the deal is in line with its strategy to create long-term value by optimising a global portfolio of investments

DIFC venture regulation

DIFC enacts new venture studio regulations

The enactment of the new regulations supports the DIFC Launchpad by providing a legislative framework for venture building

Abdulla Almoayed, founder and CEO of Tarabut Gateway

Tarabut Gateway raises $32m to fund Saudi expansion

The open banking platform plans to use the proceeds of the Series A funding round to accelerate growth in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Pharma Jamjoom to list 30%

Saudi Arabia’s Jamjoom Pharma to sell 30% stake in IPO

The company secured approval from the Saudi Capital Market Authority to offer 21,000,000 shares, representing 30 per cent of its issued share capital

GCC central banks_CBUAE

Most GCC central banks raise interest rates tracking US Fed move

Central banks in the GCC usually track the Fed’s policy rate moves as their currencies are pegged to the US dollar

Dubai_Mohammad AlBlooshi - Head of DIFC Innovation Hub and FinTech Hive 2023 DFS

Dubai is bolstering its global fintech hub status. Here’s how

The DIFC Innovation Hub has launched wide-ranging initiatives designed to nurture entrepreneurship and support startups

ESG and Middle Banks Arthur D Little Op-ed

Implementing ESG strategy: How Middle East banks are faring

As the region’s banks double down on their ESG efforts, the implementation of a comprehensive strategy with data governance at its core has never been more important

Abu Dhabi's Khalifa Fund, AlMaryah Bank to provide digital banking services

Abu Dhabi’s Khalifa Fund, AlMaryah Bank to provide digital banking services to SMEs

The bank will provide exclusive benefits to Khalifa Fund members in accordance with the agreement

Saudi National Bank profit Q1 2023

SNB to hold 0.5% stake in UBS Group after merger with Credit Suisse

The bank’s investment in Credit Suisse plunged by approximately 20 per cent by the end of 2022 and a further 70 per cent in Q1 2023

BitOasis is poised to become the first to receive an FMP licence

BitOasis secures MVP operational license from Dubai’s VARA

The crypto trading platform plans to launch new virtual asset products with a continued focus on driving accessibility and consumer protection

UAE Banks Federation signs off on strategic plan and goals photo WAM

UAE Banks Federation approves strategic plan to boost banking sector

The plan will see 5,000 UAE nationals employed in the banking and financial sector by 2026

Middle East venture capital market

The Middle East’s booming venture capital market

The drive for economic diversification and state-backed initiatives together with financial support for startups is fuelling Middle East’s venture capital industry

RAKBANK

RAKBANK more than doubles net profit to Dhs450m in Q1 2023

RAKBANK reported a record total income of Dhs1.07bn for the first quarter

Mashreq Bank CEO Ahmed Abdelaal

Mashreq’s Q1 2023 net profit soars to Dhs1.6bn

The bank reported an operating profit of Dhs1.8bn, up 96 per cent compared to the same period a year earlier

Emirates NBD q1 2023 results

Emirates NBD profit more than doubles to Dhs6bn in Q1 2023

Emirates NBD also enjoyed a record quarter for income, which exceeded Dhs10bn for the first time ever

ADIB net profit Q1 2023

ADIB’s Q1 2023 profit surges to $299m on higher margins

The Islamic bank made a profit of Dhs1.1bn in the three months to March 31, up from Dhs715m in the same period last year

UAE’s First Abu Dhabi Bank branch

First Abu Dhabi Bank’s Q1 2023 net profit up 70%

The banking group’s operating income jumped 51 per cent YoY to reach Dhs6.7bn compared to Dhs4.5bn in the first quarter of 2022