Banking & Finance

Dubai emerges as a global financial hub with DFM foreign investor participation hitting 85 percent

Chinese corporations are increasingly turning to Dubai, with over $22 billion in debt on the exchange at the end of 2024

China slashes interest rates, injects $138 billion liquidity to counter U.S. trade tensions

U.S. and Chinese officials prepare for crucial talks in Switzerland to ease trade tensions 

Visa and Whish Money partner to elevate digital payment solutions across Lebanon, international markets

The collaboration enables Whish Money to integrate Visa’s advanced payment technologies for improved services

UAE Cabinet approves Strategy for Islamic Finance and Halal Industry

The strategy aims to increase the assets of UAE Islamic banks from AED986 billion to AED2.56 trillion within six years

Dubai’s du posts 19.8 percent net profit increase with Q1 revenues growing to $1.03 billion

Q1 EBITDA surged by 15.0 percent, achieving a remarkable margin of 47.4 percent.

UAE’s ADNOC raises $1.5 billion through debut sukuk

Net proceeds will support ADNOC Group for general corporate purposes and funding diversification

Alpha Dhabi Holding reports $1.2 billion adjusted EBITDA, $4.7 billion revenue growth of 23 percent

Company’s diverse portfolio has been crucial for driving revenue growth and enhancing profitability

MENA startup funding grows 300 percent to $228.4 million in April 2025

Saudi Arabia led MENA startup funding during the month, attracting $158.5 million across eight deals

ADNOC Distribution reports 16 percent net profit increase to $174 million in Q1 2025

EBITDA rose by 11 percent to $275 million, the highest first-quarter result since 2017 IPO

Visa introduces AI shopping agents powered by OpenAI, Microsoft

Visa CEO emphasized the need for secure AI-enabled payments in evolving commerce landscape

Dubai’s TECOM Group posts $185.1 million in revenues, up 21 percent YoY

Diverse asset portfolio and long-term strategy drive 23 percent YoY profit increase

Saudi Arabia’s PIF prices $1.25 billion international sukuk offering

The seven-year sukuk was more than 6.5 times oversubscribed, with orders exceeding $9 billion

Abu Dhabi’s MGX to close $2 billion investment in Binance using USD1 stablecoin

This investment is the single largest investment in a crypto company and the largest investment ever paid in stablecoin

BNY Mellon secures regional headquarters license in Saudi Arabia

New RHQ will enhance operations and services across the Middle East 

Saudi banks successfully navigate external debt growth amid market challenges: S&P

The rise in interbank liabilities accounted for 55 percent of Saudi banks' external debt increase

GCC countries contribute over 35 percent of all emerging-market U.S. dollar debt in Q1 2025, Fitch reports

Primary market dollar issuance shows promise despite recent quietness in the GCC region

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