UAE Banks Show Strong Resilience in Gulf Conflict
UAE banks maintain capital adequacy at 17% and liquidity over 146%, far above global standards, as the Central Bank rolls out support amid escalating Middle East tensions. Ratings agencies affirm low credit risks, underscoring sector stability.
Bank of Israel Holds Policy Rate at 4.00% on Geopolitical and Inflation Risks
The Bank of Israel's Monetary Committee held its policy rate at 4.00%, citing an Iran conflict-driven oil price spike and inflation risks, with the next decision due 25 May.
Saudi Central Bank Begins Licensing Fintechs to Provide Open Banking Services
The Saudi Central Bank has begun licensing fintech companies to provide open banking services, with Lean Technologies among the first two firms licensed.
UAE's Fuze and Miden Partner on Private Blockchain Banking
A strategic collaboration between UAE-regulated fintech Fuze and blockchain company Miden aims to solve institutional adoption barriers by combining privacy-preserving infrastructure with regulatory compliance for digital assets across emerging markets.
Lean Technologies Becomes Saudi Arabia's First Licensed Open Banking Provider Under SAMA Authorisation
Lean Technologies has received a major payment institution licence from SAMA, making it the first licensed open banking provider in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Central Bank Commences Licensing of Fintechs for Open Banking Services After Successful Sandbox Phase
SAMA has formally begun licensing fintech companies to provide open banking services in Saudi Arabia following completion of a successful regulatory sandbox phase.
HSBC Elevates Jack Yang as Asia-Middle East Finance Chief
HSBC has appointed Jack Yang as CFO for Asia and the Middle East, the latest leadership change as CEO Georges Elhedery overhauls the bank.
Morocco's Bank Al-Maghrib Speeds Up NPL Secondary Market Launch
Bank Al-Maghrib is fast-tracking a secondary market for non-performing loans to boost banks' lending capacity by allowing banks to sell these assets. The reform aims to free up banks' financing capacity and revive lending.
QNB Reaffirms Net Zero by 2050 Goal in 2025 Sustainability Report
QNB Group, Qatar's leading bank, published its 2025 Sustainability Report reaffirming a net zero transition by 2050—the first in Qatar—after providing more than QR41 billion in sustainable financing in 2025 and issuing a EUR 750 million green bond.
RAKBANK completes AED551m sale of merchant acquiring business to Network International
The Ras Al Khaimah lender has exited merchant acquiring and will enter a long-term exclusive partnership under which Network International will serve its merchant clients.
UAE Central Bank Eases Rules to Bolster Banks Amid Conflict
The Central Bank of the UAE has approved measures allowing banks to tap 30% of cash reserves and secure short-term loans to support businesses hit by the escalating Middle East conflict. Pinsent Masons lawyers described the steps as proactive and preventative.
Saudi Central Bank Keeps Repo Rate at 4.25% After Federal Reserve Hold
SAMA kept its repo rate at 4.25% and reverse repo at 3.75%, after the US Federal Reserve held rates on 18 March, in line with the riyal's long-standing dollar peg.