Latest News
- Saudi's PIF supports stocks to limit Khashoggi crash
- Erdogan shreds Saudi story of critic's murder
- Turkey's Halkbank to open first digital branch in Serbia
- Mubadala waiting for right time to revive Cepsa IPO, says CEO
- Saudis planning energy, metals deals to salvage forum
- Banks mum on rising funding costs for SABIC deal, says Aramco CEO
- Markets unfazed with heat on Mboweni before South Africa budget
- Oman mandates banks for seven-year dollar Sukuk sale
- FAB to launch commercial banking in Saudi in Q4 2018
- SAMA to preserve exchange rate stability
Tuesday 24, October 2017 | The business of banking
What the customer wants
Cover Interview
Dr. Bernd van Linder, CEO, Commercial Bank of Dubai
-
14
Facilitating industry progress
Clint Dempsey, Partner, Head of Banking & Finance, and Gareth Lond, Associate, Banking & Finance, both from Eversheds Sutherland UAE, provide…
-
30
Rising above adversity
Things are looking up—Banker Middle East takes a look at Jordan’s road to recovery.
-
60
Anticipating budding headwinds
Tom Rogers, Economic Advisor at ICAEW points out the potential hurdles GCC economies may face going into 2018.
Latest stories
archive-
Adapting to a new eraAbdullah Al-Fozan, Chairman of KPMG MESA and KPMG Saudi Arabia, provides an exclusive commentary on the Kingdom’s business and economic landscape.
In July 2017 we issued…
-
Investor realitiesTed Stephenson, CFA, Executive Director of CFA Society Emirates, provides an insight into corporate governance-related challenges and opportunities facing banks, financial institutions…
-
Tackling education venturesSpeaking to Banker Middle East, Maya El Hachem, Principal at The Boston Consulting Group Middle East points out the pocket of opportunities in GCC’s private education sector.
… -
Digitalisation of wholesale bankingBy Amol Bahuguna, Head of Payments & Cash Management, Commercial Bank of Dubai
As digitalisation of the banking sector gathers momentum across the globe, many technological…
-
Saudi equities: approach with careAmidst the excitement over Saudi Arabia’s rapid reform agenda, Ross Teverson, Head of Strategy, Emerging Markets at Jupiter Asset Management, provides a reminder and some pointers…
-
Diversification, one success at a timeAhmed Kilani, Chief Executive Officer of Tabarak Investment, shares the company’s strategy in investments.
At Tabarak Investment, every success story, each underperforming…
-
China’s Belt and Road InitiativeThe BRI is a hugely ambitious plan that will take decades to realise. If successful, it will fundamentally alter the geopolitical map of Eurasia, writes Paul Gruenwald, Managing Director,…
-
The price of rebellionThe IMF insists that the pain of short-term austerity will be worth it for long-term prosperity—Egyptians may not agree.
Hosni Mubarak left Egypt…
Middle East digitisationAhmed Al-Faifi, Senior Vice President and Managing Director at SAP Middle East shares his views on technology in the region, the threats and opportunities that lie within.
How…
A step towards securing investor trustMohamed Alem, Founding Partner and Mazen Ghosn, Senior Associate at the Dubai office of Alem & Associates, analyse the new Arbitration Law and its impact on the financial services…
-
What next for the Middle East?In an exclusive, Ehsan Khoman, Head of Research and Strategist for MENA at MUFG, projects market movements for the region
If one thing is certain, it is that the Middle East never…
-
The impact of technology in the accounting industryBy Michael Izza, ICAEW Chief Executive
Global forces are reshaping the accountancy profession across the world. New ways of doing business, transformed by technology and shifting…
-
Customer-centric technologyAli Imran, Customer Advisory Leader Middle East, Financial Services Consulting at PwC, speaks candidly to Banker Middle East about the development of technology in the Middle East.
… -
A streak of optimismIn an exclusive interview, Khalid Hamad Executive Director, Banking Supervision at the Central Bank of Bahrain, asserts that financial sector in Bahrain remains healthy despite macroeconomic…
-
Thinking outside the (financing) boxAhmed Moor, Co-Founder and CEO of Liwwa, sheds light on the value of alternative financing and how financial institutions can stand to benefit from them.
Can you describe…
-
Staying on par with investment trendsAndrew Tarbuck, Chairman of Middle East Investor Relations Association, provides an exclusive insight into the current trends surrounding investor relations in the region.
How…
-
The infrastructure opportunitySuha Najjar, Founder and CEO of Akkadia Partners, explains why investment in Middle East infrastructure is win-win.
The last decade has seen a transformation in the ownership of…
-
The material impact of regulationAre UAE banks ready to deal with sweeping regulatory change? Bhaskar Sahay, Director in Advisory Services at KPMG Lower Gulf, shares his expert opinion.
The past year saw increased…
-
Trust in financial servicesA decade after the 2008 global recession—what measures has the financial services profession taken to elevate trust? Matthew Cowan, Regional Director, Chartered Institute for Securities…
-
Are we ready for the future of banking?In an exclusive interview, Christian Hammer, Head of Platforms at Saxo Bank discusses if the market is prepared for the future of banking.
What are your views on the…
-
Until debt do us partLebanon has inspired confidence among global investors; however, its new benefactors want to see their money put to work.
“Lebanon’s economy is known for its resilience,”…
-
Digital banking: a meticulous journeyIn an exclusive interview with Banker Middle East, Sanjay Khanna, Chief Information Officer at RAKBANK, discusses the bank’s digital transformation agenda
What…
-
The holistic approach to private bankingIn an exclusive dialogue with Banker Middle East, Naushid Mithani, MD, Market Head, GSAC EMEA & PvB Head, UAE at Standard Chartered discusses the private banking landscape…
-
Five tech trends dominating financial servicesWissam Khoury, Managing Director, MEA, Finastra writes for Banker Middle East
There is no doubt that technology underpins the transformation and growth of the financial…
-
Demystifying the world of offshore financeBanker Middle East speaks to Philip Cernik, Chief Marketing Officer at Friends Provident International, who highlights the plusses of offshore banking for consumers
Investing offshore…
-
Consolidation the key to unlocking Takaful's potentialA.M. Best suggests the right ingredients for the success of Takaful companies in the MENA region, writes Banker Middle East
Takaful companies have gained momentum significantly…
-
Seven ways to avoid UAE VAT penaltiesMichael Armstrong, ICAEW Regional Director for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia, shares his top tips for UAE businesses to avoid financial penalties that may be imposed due to violations,…
-
Retail banking automation: delivering superior customer experienceDr. Dimitrios Vasileios Kokkinos, Chairman & Managing Director and Spyros Gousetis, Vice Chairman, DVK Consultants discusses the role retail banking will…
-
MENA equities finally come of ageHasnain Malik, Head of Equity Research, Exotix Capital, illustrates the new appeal of the region's equity market
The equity markets of the Middle East and North Africa have been…
-
Ripe for the pickingEmmanuel Laurina, Managing Director, Head of Middle East & North Africa and Ana Harris, Head of Equity Portfolio Strategists for EMEA, both from State Street Global Advisors, speak…
-
Bahrain’s bright prospectsDr Jarmo Kotilaine, Chief Economist at the Bahrain Economic Development Board, tells Banker Middle East that it’s not all doom and gloom as it may be perceived in Bahrain
How…
-
Bahrain means businessBahrain’s economy may seem like the ugly duckling next to its GCC neighbours, but the Kingdom is determined to spread its wings
Bahrain hasn’t taken too kindly to recent…
-
The Saudi influenceSpeaking exclusively to Banker Middle East, Samer Abu Aker, Acting CEO of SEDCO Capital, provides thorough insight into the financial and economic developments in Saudi Arabia…
-
Strength in soft infrastructureBrian Howard, Partner at Trowers & Hamlins, highlights Bahrain’s progress on the legislative front and explains how it bodes well for foreign investment
Countries…
-
Driving changeRivaan Roopnarain Senior Manager and Costa Natsas, Leader: Africa, both at PwC Banking & Capital Markets, discuss current and emerging banking industry trends across Middle East and…
-
The future of Bahraini bankingSael Al Waary, Chairman of AFS, sat down with Banker Middle East at the second Middle East & Africa Fintech Forum for a chat on Bahrain’s achievement in the fintech…
-
Markets: more to be doneSpeaking exclusively to Banker Middle East, Seltem Iyigun, Economist for Middle East & Turkey at Coface, provides an overview of where GCC sovereigns stand economically
… -
When cybercriminals take on financial institutionsAmir Kanaan, Managing Director for the Middle East, Turkey and Africa at Kaspersky, discusses the development of cyberthreats in 2018, and what to expect
The year 2017 witnessed…
-
Embracing the new normalBanker Middle East looks at how Middle East markets are adjusting well to the new realities of oil prices, local investment valuations, and international sentiments
Deal…
-
AI’s Limitless potentialAI is the key to the future of banks and to banks of the future, Amr El Saadani, Accenture’s Managing Director and Financial Services Lead in the Middle East & Turkey tells…
-
The pros and cons of offshore incorporationKenneth Morgan, Head of Business Development and Marketing at BVI Finance discusses the business and banking benefits of setting up offshore with Banker Middle East
More…
-
Unlocking cardless ATMsMike Lynch, Chief Strategy Officer at InAuth says that mobile device security is key to the success of cardless ATMs
Banks worldwide are continuing to create better customer experiences,…
-
Virtual account managementAmol Bahuguna, Head of Payments and Cash Management at Commercial Bank of Dubai says cash management products off a major opportunity to streamline accounts receivable and improve operational…
-
Green Sukuk: driving issuance in the GCCMichael Wilkins, Head of Sustainable Finance at S&P Global Ratings, considers the opportunities for Green Islamic finance in the region for the year ahead
The GCC faces…
-
Darkest before dawn?For many years, Iraqi citizens have felt that the only way is up—and analysts are finally starting to agree
Oil is both Iraq’s biggest strength and weakness.…
-
Tapping into Saudi’s debtMohammed Khnifer, Debt Capital Markets Senior Associate at the Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD), explains emerging market investors…
-
Black gold: a blessing and a curseMaking the largest oil discovery since 1932 may not impact Bahrain’s economic and fiscal metrics for at least another five years.
.jpg)
Bahrain Islamic Bank leads rapid evolutionWesam Abdulaziz Baqer, Head of Corporate and Institutional Banking, Bahrain Islamic Bank (BisB) speaks with Islamic Business & Finance about the…
Saudi Arabia’s oldest bank shapes the future of digital bankingIn a conversation with Banker Middle East, Soren Kring Nikolajsen, Managing Director of Saudi Arabia’s first operating bank, Alawwal Bank discusses how…
KSA’s first bank looks to the futureIn a conversation with Banker Middle East, Soren Kring Nikolajsen, Managing Director of Saudi Arabia’s first operating bank, Alawwal Bank, an establishment…
Events
Banker Middle East Industry Awards 2018
Banking giants across MENA attend the annual gala awards dinner