Latest articles from Middle East

Mohammad Al-Hashel teaser

Kuwait CBG strikes liquidity gold

April 3, 2018

Mohammad Al-Hashel, governor of the Central Bank of Kuwait, tells James King how a focus on shoring up capital adequacy has enabled Kuwaiti banks to withstand the pressures of the low oil price environment.

Kuwait skyline teaser

Kuwait seeks to build a road to revival

April 3, 2018

Kuwait is positioning itself as a future regional financial, cultural and institutional hub, forging ahead with infrastructure mega-projects and developing private sector investment – apparently unbowed by disputes at home and between its Gulf neighbours. James King reports.

NBK HQ teaser

Kuwait's banks forge ahead to outperform local economy

April 3, 2018

Kuwaiti banks are in ebullient mood, reporting both decent profits and healthy capital adequacy levels. But while government spending promises further growth opportunities, competition for customers is heating up in a crowded market, as James King reports.

JPM Treasury Services Team teaser

The women behind JPMorgan’s EMEA transaction banking business

April 3, 2018

JPMorgan has long been committed to diversity in its workforce and its approach is yielding results. Joy Macknight talks to the women heading the US bank’s Europe, the Middle East and Africa treasury services business lines to gain insight into the drivers of change in the region. 

Mazin Al-Nahedh teaser

Kuwait eyes global Islamic finance hub status

April 3, 2018

With one of the oldest Islamic banking sectors in the world, Kuwait continues to show impressive growth and adaptability in the industry. Now authorities in the country are looking to become big hitters on a regional and global level. Kit Gillet and James King report.

Why MENA makes sense for the EBRD

March 26, 2018

Where once post-Communist countries attracted the lion’s share of European Bank for Reconstruction and Development investment, destinations such as Turkey and Egypt now dominate, signalling a change of focus south and east of the Mediterranean. 

Bank al Etihad teaser

Is the Gulf's M&A banking boom over?

March 1, 2018

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.

FirstRand teaser

Middle East and Africa M&A scene still has cards to play

March 1, 2018

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 teaser

UAE Banks Federation chairman sees the positive impact of AI

February 1, 2018

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. 

GET-Emirates NBD teaser

Can the UAE meet its SME funding challenge?

February 1, 2018

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.