Middle Eastern fintechs and neobanks are attracting investment from overseas, as the wave of mega-mergers among the region’s largest lenders grinds to a halt.
Middle East
Latest articles from Israel
Mortgages at Israeli banks rise amid ongoing house price boom
October 25, 2021Mizrahi Tefahot Bank, the country’s third largest lender by assets, saw its mortgage book expand by 24% year on year in 2020.

Bank Leumi CEO looks ahead to post-Covid growth
July 29, 2021Hanan Friedman talks about digital strategy in the lockdown age and the opportunities created by the Abraham Accords.

Barclays brings home a rare Israel opportunity
March 1, 2019In early 2019, the state of Israel conducted its largest ever international deal. Joint lead manager Barclays utilised its long-standing history in the country to help make the deal a success.

Reform pushes Israel’s credit card sector into the unknown
October 2, 2017Israel’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.

Israel's hi-tech ascent
December 1, 2014Israel’s impressive ecosystem of hi-tech start-ups is increasingly taking on financial technology, with bold ambitions and an eye to the larger potential offered by the US, Europe and Asia.

Israel CBG: Interest rate cuts target weak economy
October 1, 2014A year into Karnit Flug’s tenure as governor of the Bank of Israel, James King looks at the impact of her stewardship on the broader economy.

Israel's banks gear up for their next phase of growth
October 1, 2014A difficult macroeconomic environment has hardly dented the performance of Israeli banks, which are pushing ahead with new plans for longer term growth by honing their strategies in sectors including hi-tech and energy.

High-yield bond rings the changes for Israeli telco
April 1, 2014Despite an unusual structure as the holding company for a fixed-line monopoly, B Communications issued Israel's first dual-listed bond to considerable demand.

Central Bank Governor of the Year 2014
January 2, 2014The Banker’s Central Bank Governor of the Year awards celebrate the officials who managed to restore economic stability and even growth to their countries following a turbulent few years.