CBUAE Revokes Omda Exchange Licence and Imposes AED 10 Million Fine for Regulatory Violations
The Central Bank of the UAE has revoked Omda Exchange's operating licence and imposed a AED 10 million sanction after examinations revealed violations of the Central Bank Law and related regulations.
STC Bank Saudi Arabia Confirms Mohammed Al-Fraih as Permanent CEO
Mohammed Al-Fraih has been appointed CEO of STC Bank, after serving as Acting CEO since August 2025.
Bank Al-Maghrib Holds Key Rate at 2.25% at December 2025 Quarterly Meeting
Morocco's central bank left its benchmark rate at 2.25% in December, citing controlled inflation and positive economic momentum while monitoring global uncertainty.
HSBC Kuwait Appoints Ahmed Al Murad as Country CEO, Its First Kuwaiti National in the Role
Ahmed Al Murad has been named Country CEO of HSBC Kuwait, becoming the first Kuwaiti national to lead the bank's operations in the country.
Arab Banking Corporation Names Brendon Hopkins Acting Group CEO as Sael Al Waary Retires
Sael Al Waary will retire as Group CEO of ABC on 31 January 2026, with CFO Brendon Hopkins stepping up as Acting Group CEO from 1 February.
Central Bank of Bahrain Cuts Overnight Deposit Rate by 25 Basis Points to 4.25%
The Central Bank of Bahrain has reduced its overnight deposit rate by 25 basis points to 4.25%, aligning with the US Federal Reserve's December rate cut to maintain monetary stability.
Central Bank of the UAE Cuts Base Rate to 3.65%, Completing 75 Basis Points of 2025 Easing
The CBUAE has lowered its base rate by 25 basis points to 3.65%, completing 75 basis points of cumulative easing in 2025.
Qatar Central Bank Cuts Key Interest Rates by 25 Basis Points in December 2025
Qatar Central Bank has cut its deposit, lending, and repo rates by 25 basis points each, bringing the deposit rate to 3.85% and the lending rate to 4.35%.
Bank of Israel Cuts Interest Rate to 4.25% in First Reduction Since January 2024
The Bank of Israel reduced its benchmark rate by 25 basis points to 4.25%, its first cut since January 2024, citing annual inflation moderating to 2.5%.
Central Bank of Kuwait Imposes KWD 35,000 Penalty on Kuwaiti Bank for AML/CFT Failures
Kuwait's CBK fined an unnamed Kuwaiti bank KWD 35,000 on 18 November 2025 for breaching AML/CFT obligations under Law No. 106 of 2013 and CBK instructions.
National Bank of Bahrain Appoints Husain Almohri as Group Chief Executive for Markets and Client Solutions
NBB named Husain Almohri, a 25-year banking veteran, as Group Chief Executive – Markets & Client Solutions, effective 4 January 2026.
Saudi Arabia's SAMA Revokes FAS Finance Company Licence Following Voluntary Liquidation
Saudi Central Bank SAMA cancelled FAS Finance Company's microfinance licence after the firm completed voluntary liquidation and deregistered its commercial register.