Since awarding the first dedicated investment banking licence in Iran in 2007, the country's Securities and Exchange Organisation has moved slowly, granting only two more licences despite the proliferation of banks looking to expand into the space. But licences are not the only thing lacking in Iranian investment banking; the dearth of large private companies and investment banking expertise is also stunting its growth.
Middle East
Latest articles from Iran
Sanctions leave Iran's banks short on partners and profits
December 1, 2011The Iranian government is insistent that the growing number of sanctions on the country is not having a detrimental effect on the country's economy. Yet, with its banks limited by the financial instruments they can use and the international banks that they can partner, it is proving increasingly difficult for them to remain profitable.
UN sanctions no barrier to determined banks
July 28, 2010The UN sanctions that are restricting the activity of Iran's banking sector may be tough, but they are not stopping those determined to do business. Writer Spencer Anderson
Iran dominates in the world of sharia compliance
November 5, 2007The Top 25 country ranking of the Top 500 Islamic institutions clearly demonstrates that Iran, Saudi Arabia and Malaysia are by far the three largest countries providing Islamic finance, with Iran’s total amounting to $154.6bn of sharia-compliant assets (SCAs) accounting for 30.9% of the global aggregate total of $500.5bn.
Investment opportunities amid political risk
July 2, 2007Foreign banks are finding that the lure of Iran’s large population, oil-rich heritage and privatisation opportunities may outweigh the risks, writes Karina Robinson from Tehran.
Poet who’s unafraid of harsh words
July 2, 2007Karina Robinson talks to Iran’s central bank governor Ebrahim Sheibany, about inflation, privatisation and the UN’s freezing of Iranian assets.
The start of an economic renaissance
November 6, 2006Iranian minister of economics affairs and finance Davood Danesh Jafari talks to Stephen Timewell about his country’s privatisation drive, which will see some of its state-owned enterprises offered to the private sector.
Batten down the hatches
December 5, 2005With Iran’s new president laying down the law on interest rates as well as hiring and firing the heads of many state banks, the sector is bracing itself for a stormy period. Gareth Smyth and Najmeh Bozorgmehr report from Tehran.
Banks upbeat on Iran’s surprise election result
August 1, 2005Initial reticence about the election of Iran’s new hard-line president, Mahmoud Ahmadi-Nejad, has turned to optimism in the financial sector. Gareth Smyth and Najmeh Bozorgmehr report from Tehran.
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