Banking & Finance

Technology and trends defining GCC fintechs

Payments, blockchain and AI, among others, are shaping the region’s financial sector

e& completes acquisition of controlling stake in PPF Telecom, expanding global reach to 38 countries

This collaboration will drive growth and create opportunities for digital services, IoT solutions, and B2B offerings

Commercial Bank of Dubai reports 15.2 percent rise in net profit to $607 million

During the first nine months of 2024, CBD reported a 12.1 percent rise in operating income to AED4.164 billion

CBUAE reports banks extend $22.1 billion in financial support to SMEs by mid-2024

SME loans made up 9.5 percent of 232.9 billion in financial facilities for commercial and industrial sectors as of June 

Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank announces H1 2024 net profit after tax of $1.2 billion

Customer deposits in current and savings accounts totaled AED169 billion by the end of September 2024 

Islamic treasury bonds auction for October 2024 attracts $1.96 billion in bids

The auction attracted interest from eight primary dealers for both tranches maturing in May 2027 and September 2029

Dubai Islamic Bank lists $500 million AT1 sukuk on Nasdaq Dubai

Dubai Islamic Bank currently boasts an outstanding value of over $9 billion through 11 sukuk listings on Nasdaq Dubai

Seamless Saudi Arabia 2024: Mastercard’s new infrastructure aims to support a secure digital payments ecosystem in Kingdom

This infrastructure and tailored services will enable secure, efficient processing of local ecommerce transactions

Finance House to invest $81.67 million in Abu Dhabi capital market

This collaboration seeks to enhance market liquidity and financial stability, aligning with the ADX’s vision 

External funding outflows in GCC banks could reach $221 billion if Mideast war escalates: S&P

GCC banks have sufficient external liquidity to cover outflows in most cases

Emirates NBD redefines cross border payments in partnership with Partior

Bank becomes the first regional and UAE dirham, Saudi riyal, and Indian rupee settlement bank on the platform

Saudi Aramco CEO advocates for revised energy transition plan addressing Asia’s needs

He noted that Asia and the Global South are often overlooked in transition plans, impacting the world 

UAE emerges as region’s top startup hub with over 5,600 registrations in Q2 2024

UAE leads the region in the fintech startup sector, with over 550 companies currently operating in this field

FAB reports 16 percent rise in revenues to $6.51 billion in first nine months of 2024

Net profit rose 4 percent year-on-year to AED12.9 billion in the first nine months of 2024

Sharjah Islamic Bank profit before tax up 29 percent to $270.1 million for nine months ending September

The bank is diversifying its financing portfolio, with total customer financing at AED36.6 billion

Lagarde signals shift in ECB strategy with third rate cut in 2024

This marks the first consecutive rate reduction in 13 years

Central Bank of Egypt holds key interest rates steady amid inflation control, mixed economic indicators

The committee noted that this decision reflects recent global and local developments

Why financial inclusion of the youth is important for our economies

Financial products and services that could help young adults are sometimes out of reach due to governing frameworks and societal biases

Mastercard partners with noon Payments to launch passkey service in UAE

Payment passkeys use device-based biometrics to replace OTPs, making online transactions faster and safer

Emirates NBD profits grow 9 percent to record $5.17 billion in first nine months of 2024

Significant loan growth, a low-cost funding base and strong transaction volumes propel group's growth

ADQ, Bank Audi sign definitive agreement to acquire 96 percent of Odea Bank

This move would accelerate Odeabank’s growth and drive tech advancements in financial services

Gitex Global 2024: FTA, Dubai Land Department to enhance tax compliance for real estate, commercial land sales

The initiative seeks to streamline tax compliance by collecting VAT on real estate and land transactions