The Banker’s merger and acquisition figures for 2017 show the end of the Gulf’s buying spree and a sharp increase in activity from Africa and the Levant. James King reports.

While 2017 was not the banner year for M&A in the Middle East and Africa that 2016 had been, headline-grabbing deals were still being struck, notably FirstRand Limited’s acquisition of Aldermore. James King reports.

Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair, chairman of the UAE Banks Federation, talks to James King about the importance of sharing information to combat cybercrime and the power of artificial intelligence. 

SMEs seeking bank financing have traditionally had a tough task on their hands in the UAE. However, small steps are being taken to resolve this issue, and optimism is widespread that the situation will improve in line with the country's Vision 2021 national agenda. James King reports.

While the short-term future of the UAE's banks looks promising thanks to a growing national economy and rising oil prices, it is the sector's long-term prospects – due largely to its early embracing of AI and collaboration with fintechs – that are giving the greatest cause for optimism. James King reports.

While Gulf Co-operation Council countries have announced a slew of infrastructure programmes of late, the region is suffering a reported $270bn project finance gap. This is opening the way for international and local banks to find innovative new mechanisms, as James King reports.

Joseph Abraham joined Qatar’s Commercial Bank as group CEO in 2016, after eight years as CEO of ANZ Indonesia, arriving at a time of low oil prices and regional tension. He tells Kit Gillet about efforts to refocus the bank, as well as finding opportunities in adversity.

Israel’s banks are under scrutiny, with the government moving to break up the current credit card oligopoly. But opinion is divided on whether these reforms will boost competition more generally or are just an experiment. Pinchas Landau reports.

Having survived a regional liquidity squeeze, the United Arab Emirates’ larger banks are eyeing opportunities further afield. Meanwhile, an overbanked market means consolidation is likely for the rest of the sector. James King reports.

Only Al Rajhi Bank has reported a rise in profits among Saudi’s banks. Now the country's government is hoping its National Transformation Plan will bring the reforms necessary to inject new life into a stagnating economy. James King reports.