On the Move

Dentons Middle East strengthens Qatari Banking & Finance offering with the relocation of Riza Ismail

Masin appoints legal executive Sachin Kerur as new CEO

UBP appoints Head of Investment Services in Dubai and strengthens client coverage team with two Market Heads for the Middle East

Edmond de Rothschild appoints new Head of Investment Advisory in Dubai

Michel Longhini resurfaces at Emirates Investment Bank

Nomura IWM’s managed solutions head joins FAB in Abu Dhabi

Legal, Tax, Regulation & Compliance

DIFC unveils The Residences - the first residential ownership opportunity in the prestigious new Zabeel District

"Banking Business and Disputes" Program Concludes

Invest Qatar, Doha Bank sign deal to support foreign investors

Maktoum bin Mohammed highlights Arab Fiscal Forum

Qatar Financial Centre, ADGM, DIFC announce cooperation on cross-border data flow

EY launches its EY Studio+ business in MENA to serve the CMO agenda

Retail Banking

Ithmaar Bank reports profits for 2025

NBK is the banking sector’s exclusive and strategic partner of the 2026 Arab content forum

EGP holds steady against dollar on Tuesday at most banks

UAE's banking assets, industrial exports see growth in 2025

Al Baraka Bank Egypt launches 1st digital branch to promote digital transformation

Dukhan Bank and Dibsy announce strategic partnership to advance open banking in Qatar

Alternative Investments

Astons Partners with Global Wealth Forum in UAE

Dubai: Gold prices steady in early trade; 24K trading close to Dh610 per gram

Qatar lists first green sukuk as Al Rayan raises $137m

Ashmore Industrial Initiative makes first investment with Pharco Pharmaceuticals in 62,000-sqm manufacturing facility

Investcorp and SNB Capital Establish Strategic Partnership to Pursue KSA Investment Opportunities

Arab Investment launches its new corporate identity

Wealth & Asset Management

The rise of UHNW women in the GCC: What to look for in a fiduciary partner

Family Office Expectations And A One-Bank Model: Barclays’ UAE Strategy For 2026

Equiom Group named Trust Company of the Year – UAE at Citywealth International Awards

Nomura: Meeting evolving client needs in wealth management

Former partners lead takeover of wealth manager Octogone

WRISE Group Establishes Strategic Alliance with The Continental Group to Democratise Access to Private Banking in the UAE

FinTech

Saudi Arabia aims to become world’s largest AI token exporter: Humain CEO

Jordan Kuwait Bank integrates digital channels with new tech

Ooredoo Fintech and Badrgo partner to enable digital driver payouts via Ooredoo Money at Web Summit Qatar 2026

Bitcoin breaks key support, slips below $70,000

UAE central bank approves first USD-backed stablecoin under PTSR

Central Bank of Egypt launches smartphone-based POS service

Islamic Finance

Saudi Arabia raises over $2bn in February sukuk sale: NDMC

Baker Botts Transaction Wins Sukuk Deal of the Year at GBM Awards Africa 2026 for the Arab Republic of Egypt

Alizz Islamic Bank reaffirms its leadership in Islamic banking at the 17th IFSB Summit

Oman’s Islamic Finance eyes double-digit growth in 2026

Oman’s Islamic finance industry set to rise 25% to $45bln in 2026

Bahrain prices $800mln long 8-year sukuk and $1.3bln 12-year bond

Research, Comment and Analysis

GCC businesses to maintain strong credit profiles in 2026: S&P

Saudi banking sector outlook stable on higher non-oil growth: Moody’s

Retail sector outlook for 2026 signals continued growth

UAE banking outlook shifts to positive, despite low profitability – Moody’s

Knight Frank: Further rental growth forecast as strong annual performance fuels supply squeeze in UAE’s industrial and logistics market

Qatar CEOs align AI, investment and growth with national transformation priorities

Investment Bank

UmniaBank reports strong performance for 2025 with net profit of MAD57m

Intesa Sanpaolo Strengthens Its Focus on the Middle East: Imi Cib Solidifies Its Role as a Strategic Partner in the Gulf Region

Goldman Sachs opens Middle East headquarters in Saudi Arabia

Cantor establishes Abu Dhabi office

EFG Hermes reaches successful completion of advisory for Cherry Trading Company’s IPO on the Saudi Exchange

JPMorgan expands in Dubai to target medium-sized firms

Planet SOS

National Finance continues advancing Oman’s development agenda through its sustainable finance offering

ADIB strengthens ESG ratings with MSCI and sustainalytics

Sustainability Forum Middle East announces GARMCO as forum partner for its 2026 edition

EBRD invests US $40 mil in Infinity to accelerate renewable energy growth across Africa

Oman Arab Bank drives sustainable growth through innovation and national talent

MECC to expand scope of recycling projects