The sector was described as stable by the IMF in September, but the ongoing conflict with Israel is set to change the outlook.
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.
Mizrahi Tefahot Bank, the country’s third largest lender by assets, saw its mortgage book expand by 24% year on year in 2020.
Hanan Friedman talks about digital strategy in the lockdown age and the opportunities created by the Abraham Accords.
In 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.
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.
Israel’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.
A 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.
A 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.
Despite an unusual structure as the holding company for a fixed-line monopoly, B Communications issued Israel's first dual-listed bond to considerable demand.
The 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.
Stanley Fischer's time as Bank of Israel governor has coincided with dramatic changes in global thinking about the role of central banks. He looks back on how his work has evolved, and what still needs to be done to secure the future.
Israel has a well-regulated banking sector that came through the financial crisis in good shape, but margins are tight and its largest banks are searching for ways to improve growth and returns.
Slow but steady growth seems to be the order of the day for banks in the Middle East, with most countries in the region having something to cheer.
The Bank of Israel's authority to regulate the country's banking sector is something that other supervisors can only dream of, and the benefits of it holding such power were seen during the credit crisis. Writer Philip Alexander
Enjoying Israel's new status as a developed market, the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange is pushing to attract high-tech listings, planning to renew its IT system and playing its part in Israeli-Palestinian relations. Writer Michelle Price
Leumi Bank now leads Israel’s booming banking sector, despite the government’s protracted struggle to sell its controlling stake. David Lipkin reports from Tel Aviv.
David Lipkin reviews Stanley Fischer’s turbulent first year as governor of the Bank of Israel, and asks him about the future of the bank and the economy.
Following capital market reform, Israel’s banks are being forced to look overseas for expansion opportunities, says David Lipkin.
The Banker invites CEOs from around the world to discuss the economic climate in their country and institution, and their hopes for the future