03/26/2014
Region needs pre-emptive action against Bitcoin
It was not so long ago that we were warned of the risk of dealing in the digital currency of Bitcoin.
Legal, Tax, Regulation & Compliance
03/26/2014
Norton Rose Fulbright appoints new debt capital markets partner
I am looking forward to returning to the Middle East to continue to develop Norton Rose Fulbright’s conventional
03/25/2014
Kuwait lets foreign banks open more branches to fuel growth
Kuwait will let foreign banks open multiple branches in the country to spur growth.
03/25/2014
Qatar Regulator Reprimands RBS For Insufficient Staff Training
Qatar’s financial regulator has reprimanded Royal Bank of Scotland for insufficient training of its branch staff, it said on Tuesday.
03/25/2014
QFB awaits regulatory nod for listing
The Qatar First Bank yesterday announced that it will go for listing on the Qatari bourse once it gets the regulatory approval.
03/19/2014
The Bahrain Association of Banks to focus on research
We looked at BAB's major activities over the past five years, and discussed where the association could add value to the industry
03/19/2014
IBRC seeks documents from Dubai firms linked to Quinn family
Companies deny role in the alleged conspiracy to move assets beyond the bank’s reach
03/18/2014
SAMA chief reasserts KSA’s commitment to global AML
The Kingdom has invested significant resources to tackle AML challenges including the most recent amendments concerning the local AML regulations.
03/18/2014
QCB asks all banks to transfer account data
The Qatar Central Bank has asked all banks to provide it with basic information about their customers’ accounts, including individuals and companies.
03/17/2014
Dubai considers rule change to lure more domiciled funds
Dubai is considering regulatory reforms to persuade more funds to base themselves in its financial centre
03/17/2014
Norton Rose Fulbright advises the IDB on its largest ever drawdown under its $10 billion Sukuk
The Joint-Lead Managers were CIMB Bank Limited, Commerzbank Aktiengesellschaft, First Gulf Bank PJSC, HSBC Bank plc, National Bank of Abu Dhabi P.J.S.C, Natixis, RHB Investment Bank Berhad and Standard Chartered Bank.
03/14/2014
Turkish government denies claims of financial bodies’ merger
The Turkish government has no plans to merge the banking and capital markets watchdogs under a single roof that would consolidate state control over the financial sector,
03/13/2014
Gulf bankers meet to boost cooperation
Arab central bank governors of the energy-rich Gulf met yesterday in Kuwait to discuss combating terror funding and boosting cooperation.
03/13/2014
Gulf Arab Rift Has No Effect On Central Bankers Meet
A diplomatic rift between Qatar and three other Gulf Arab countries had no effect on a meeting of Gulf central bank governors today
03/11/2014
Sudanese bank says dealings with Saudi Arabia unaffected
The general manager of the Bank of Khartoum Fadi Salim Al- Faqih said that the bank’s dealings with its counterparts in Saudi Arabia are continuing as normal especially with the National Commercial Bank
03/10/2014
Law and tax expert opens new office in Oman
They are strategically important areas for our clients
03/07/2014
National Bank of Abu Dhabi : UAE central bank chief warning on capital rules
Sultan Al Suwaidi says small businesses are at risk under new global financial regulations
03/06/2014
Central Bank chief warns Basel III capital rules could curb SME growth
The Central Bank governor yesterday warned that Basel III banking rules could curb the growth of small and medium-sized business worldwide.
03/06/2014
UAE banks want home buyers to disclose source of money used for down payment
The UAE Central Bank issued directives in October 2013 stopping homebuyers from using personal loans or credit cards to meet their down payment requirements.
03/05/2014
Egypt lifts ban on brokerage firms trading foreign stocks
Egypt's financial regulator, as part of a broader effort to invigorate the country's financial markets, has lifted a ban on brokerage firms and fund managers trading shares listed overseas.