Banking & Finance

Gate Dubai secures full operational license from VARA, expands Middle East footprint

Gate Dubai is accelerating the expansion of its local team and preparing for its official launch

UAE MoHRE, ADIB launch instant digital wallet for corporate payments

Corporate customers can now make instant payments for MoHRE services through the new wallet 

First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) reports 23 percent rise in net profit to $1.4 billion in Q1 2025

Bank's total assets grew 6 percent, crossing the AED 1.3 trillion milestone for the first time

New UAE stablecoin initiative to empower businesses with blockchain for seamless transactions

The stablecoin will be regulated by the Central Bank of the UAE, enhancing payment ease 

Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) raises $1.5 billion through 10-year sukuk issuance

Sukuk issuance priced at 60 basis points over U.S. Treasuries attracted robust investor interest

Upcoming $950 million T-bill auction by CBE aims to cover previous dollar tender maturity

CBE allows local and foreign institutions to subscribe to T-bills, starting at a minimum of $100,000 

Joint Saudi-Qatari initiative paves way for $15 million payment to World Bank for Syria

Commitment aims to accelerate the recovery of Syria’s economy and development 

stc Group posts net profit of $973 million in Q1 2025, up 11.05 percent YoY

Revenues reached $5.12 billion with an increase of 1.60 percent

Ajman Bank launches debut sukuk with $2.7 billion demand from global investors

The bank successfully priced the $500 million sukuk at a fixed profit rate of 5.125 percent 

Lebanon: New banking secrecy reforms to restore financial stability, fulfill IMF demands

New law allows regulators to access ten years of banking records to combat corruption

Mubadala to invest $1 billion in U.S.-based Fortress Investment Group

Mubadala, through its asset management subsidiary Mubadala Capital, holds a significant stake in Fortress

World’s largest sovereign wealth fund faces $40 billion loss as tech sector struggles

CEO noted significant market fluctuations affected investor sentiment and fund performance 

UAE Ramadan travel soars 6 percent with mid-market tourists leading the way, Visa reports

Emerging markets like Azerbaijan and Tajikistan showed remarkable spending growth among UAE travelers 

$1.67 billion in bids reported for the UAE’s Islamic treasury sukuk auction in April 2025

Auction attracted robust demand from eight primary dealers across both tranches maturing in May 2027 and September 2029

Lebanon: World Bank approves $250 million loan with plans to increase to $400 million

Finance Minister Yassine Jaber announced loan details after meeting World Bank Vice President Osama Weden 

U.S. signals possible 25 percent increase in tariff on Canadian imported vehicles

Canada is a key auto exporter to the U.S. with integrated supply chains under USMCA 

ADGM FSRA launches 2025-2026 business plan to enhance regulatory framework, drive sustainable growth

Plan focuses on key regulatory priorities such as maintaining international regulatory alignment and combating financial crime

UAE’s acquiring payment market revenues hit $470 million amid digital push: Report

The UAE merchant acquiring market reached a total payment volume of approximately $150 billion in 2024

Dubai AI Week 2025: Dubai Finance launches ASCEND, world-first AI compliance platform

Platform introduces AI-led governance that replaces labour-intensive reviews with autonomous, real-time assessments

DMCC’s Tradeflow platform secures shariah certification, appoints new shariah supervisory board

Newly appointed board will ensure that all transactions adhere strictly to Shariah’s rules and principles

Emirates Islamic reports record net profit of $272.25 million in Q1 2025

Bank reported an 11 percent increase in total assets to AED123 billion

Emirates NBD’s profit before tax rises 56 percent to $2.12 billion in Q1 2025

Assets under management across the group grew to $50 billion, reflecting the ongoing success of the Bank’s wealth management strategy