Why it matters now that Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange has joined SWIFT
The Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange has joined SWIFT, switching on its own SWIFT Business Identifier Code (BIC), ADSEAEADXXX, and stepping onto the network that carries the world’s financial messages. Picture a BIC as a verified address for money and securities traffic. It names the institution, points each instruction to the right desk, and confirms the […]
GCC banking sector Q2 2026 posts a record $2.59tn in gross bank lending
Inside the GCC banking sector, Q2 2026 figures show a shift in how the region’s banks earn. Lenders now lean on loan volume, not interest rates, to grow income. Kamco Invest reported GCC bank lending across 55 listed Gulf banks reached a record $2.59 trillion by the end of June. That total rose 2.6 percent […]
Syria’s Global Financial System Return Begins With a Visa Card
Syria’s global financial system return took visible shape this week, and it happened over a cup of coffee. President Ahmed Al-Sharaa used a Visa card to pay a Damascus vendor in a video released early Thursday, a small transaction carrying outsized symbolism for a country locked out of global banking networks for nearly five decades. […]
UAE’s First Transition Finance Framework by Emirates NBD Opens New Funding Route for Carbon-Heavy Industries
UAE’s first transition finance framework has arrived, and it changes how carbon-heavy companies in the country can access funding for their shift away from fossil-heavy operations. Emirates NBD built the framework specifically for corporate and institutional clients whose businesses cannot yet meet the strict criteria of green finance, but who are taking real, measurable steps […]
Sharjah Islamic Bank H1 2026 results show net profit rising 15.3 percent
Sharjah Islamic Bank H1 2026 results showed net profit after tax reaching AED803.9 million. The lender lifted earnings 15.3 percent from AED697.2 million during the same period last year. Balanced growth across core business lines drove this result, alongside a strengthened capital base. You can see the strength in both income diversification and improved operating […]
The 5 Best Online Banks in the UAE (2026): Fees, Features and Who Each One Is For
The UAE’s digital banking market has matured quickly. Account opening that once took weeks now takes minutes, branch visits are optional, and the competition has split cleanly into business-first players and everyday personal accounts. This guide covers the five strongest online banks in the country right now, what each does best, and the trade-offs to […]
Bank of Japan Interest Rates Hit 31-Year High as Weak Yen Lifts Inflation
Bank of Japan interest rates climbed to a level not seen since 1995 on Tuesday. The central bank lifted its short-term policy rate to one percent from 0.75 percent. This BOJ rate hike was the first increase since December 2025, when rates reached 0.75 percent. You now watch a Japanese interest rate at a 31-year […]
Dhabi Bank launch delivers borderless digital banking across Abu Dhabi
Dhabi Bank launch gives you a new way to manage money across many global markets. Finance House Group announced the new bank inside the Abu Dhabi Global Market this week. The bank wants to serve people and firms who work and live across borders. Its digital tools let you open accounts, save funds, and send […]
UAE banks phase out OTPs before the new Central Bank deadline
UAE banks phase out OTPs to protect your money from rising online fraud and theft. The shift replaces text message codes with secure approvals inside your everyday banking app. Lenders across the country now move customers to in-app authentication banking for daily payments. Customers receive a quick notification, check the details, and confirm with a […]
Wio Bank in a partnership with DWTC Free Zone helps business banking today
Wio Bank, in a partnership with DWTC Free Zone, gives businesses easier banking access inside Dubai. Dubai keeps building strong support systems for founders, investors, and companies entering regional markets. This new agreement joins licensing support with practical financial tools from a digital bank. Businesses inside the zone gain quicker onboarding, dedicated support, and simpler […]
UAE banking sector assets rise as deposits and credit grow in February
Fresh CBUAE data shows a banking system with rising liquidity, larger deposits, and stronger credit activity. Total bank assets reached AED5.47 trillion by late February, adding further weight to recent expansion. Credit also moved upward during the month, with private sector borrowing providing the clearest support. Deposit growth stayed broad, with residents and non-residents both […]
Saudi banks market capitalization rises in Q1 2026 on local support
Saudi banks’ market capitalization rose during Q1 2026, showing strong local confidence despite regional pressure. Domestic buyers supported bank shares while wider markets faced weaker sentiment and rising political tension. S&P Global data placed Saudi lenders above peers across the Gulf and Africa sample. Alinma Bank posted the sharpest rise, moving higher in regional rankings […]
