Barclays Bank, a major global financial services provider, has announced the appointment of Kersi Patel as head of trade and working capital, Middle East. He will be responsible for building the trade and working capital product and sales organization in the region aimed at growing Barclays’ market share in these businesses. Rezwan Mirza, managing director, head of corporate coverage, UAE …

(Amman – Jordan, January 24th 2012):- Arab Bank  was recently honored with the Best Trade Finance Provider award in the Middle East from Global Finance Magazine for the sixth consecutive year. Arab received this award based on its transaction volume, scope of global coverage, customer service, competitiveness and innovation. Nemeh Sabbagh, Chief Executive Officer of Arab Bank   commented, “As one …

As part of its strategy to provide innovative banking services, Dubai Islamic Bank (DIB) announced the launch of Al Islami Business Online, a portal enabling companies to access over 75 services at the click of a button. Developed to help businesses in the UAE easily manage their finances, Al Islami Business Online enables companies to administer their funds 24/7, pay …

Under the Chairmanship of Dr. Ahmed Mohamed Ali, President of the Islamic Development Bank Group, the Board of Directors of the Islamic Corporation for Insurance of Investment and Export Credit (ICIEC) approved the Annual Report of ICIEC for 1432H (2011) at its recent meeting held at the Bank’s headquarters in Jeddah, The Annual Report showed significant growth in export credit …

UAE, 10 January, 2012 – Standard Chartered sees 2012 as a year of a two-speed global economy. The Bank, which recently topped a ranking of 354 global firms for the accuracy of its economic forecasts over the past two years, sees a slowing global economy in 2012, with a fragile West and a resilient Asia, Africa, Middle East and Latin …

Existing Customers can open savings and fixed deposit accounts through online banking UAE, 8 January, 2012 – Standard Chartered announced today a new facility which allows existing customers to open Islamic and Conventional savings and fixed deposit accounts through its online banking platform, Straight2Bank. The facility comes as part of the bank’s continuous efforts to enhance its customer’s banking experience. …

Dear Reader, We are proud to have held Cash&Trade’s first roundtable discussion in the MENA region. More are to come based on the success of our first in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, at which transaction banking was the subject of discussion. At this time, the importance of cash and trade solutions has never been so vital, competitive and demanding …

Philippe Ghanem, managing director of Abu Dhabi-based ADS Securities The financial sectors of the Middle East and South East Asia could work together to tap new opportunities arising from growth in emerging markets, new technology and the issues facing traditional investment markets, according to Philippe Ghanem, managing director of Abu Dhabi-based ADS Securities.

A client conference was recently held in the UAE by Standard Chartered to discuss the latest innovations in the field of electronic financial solutions and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP). Its aim was to raise awareness about the benefits of electronic integration to ensure smooth business operation, reduction of costs and access to round-the-clock financial solutions.

Zaki Jawad, Head of Transaction Banking Group Saudi Hollandi Bank has established a new Trade Services Window in its Al-Hafouf Branch to cater to the trade requirements of corporate and small establishments located in and around the Al-Ahsa city, Eastern Region. The Trade Services Window is providing consultancy, advice and services that include Letters of Credit, Bank Guarantees and Documentary …

Dubai-based Falcon Group’s growth in the Middle East continues apace with the opening of an Abu Dhabi office, with Kapila Karunaratne as Head.

Natasha Patel, regional head of global payment and cash management, Middle East and North Africa HSBC has been voted as Euromoney’s Best Cash Management Bank in the Middle East for 2011, making it the bank’s eighth win since 2003. HSBC was also awarded Euromoney’s Best Regional Cash Management Bank for Financial Institutions in the Middle East for the first time, …

Stephen Gaterell, the new chief executive offi cer The Dubai Gold and Commodities Exchange has appointed Stephen Gaterell as its new chief executive officer (CEO).

Kuwait Finance House (KFH), one of the leading Islamic banks in the world, has set up a contact centre using Avaya technology.

The world’s first Islamic finance benchmark rate, designed to provide an objective and dedicated indicator for the average expected return on Shariah-compliant short-term interbank funding, has been launched by Thomson Reuters. The Islamic Interbank Benchmark Rate (IIBR), announced at the 18th annual World Islamic Banking Conference in Bahrain, uses the contributed rates of 16 Islamic banks and the Islamic sections …

The Qtel Mobile Money service, a “safe, fast and easy-to-use ‘mobile wallet’ (mWallet) solution”, has been launched by the Qtel Group.