Morocco’s lower card interchange caps took effect across domestic payments
Morocco cut the general ceiling on domestic card interchange fees to 0.50% from 0.65%, with a 0.15% cap for government and proximity-commerce payments taking effect on 1 October.
Türkiye’s Central Bank Raised SME Loan Growth Limit and Eased Reserve Rules
Türkiye’s central bank raised the eight-week SME loan growth limit to 5% from 4.5% and reduced blocked-account reserve ratios, easing targeted credit and liquidity constraints without changing its 37% policy rate.
Lebanon’s President Challenged Amended Bank Resolution Law Before Constitutional Council
President Joseph Aoun challenged Article 3 of Lebanon’s amended bank resolution law, prompting a constitutional review that the IMF said could affect whether the reform meets international standards.
Egypt’s MNT-Halan planned 20% flotation on Cairo bourse in October
Egyptian fintech MNT-Halan said it planned to sell 320 million shares, representing 20% of its capital, through public and private offerings, subject to regulatory approvals and market conditions.
Dubai Islamic Bank named Fadhel Al Ali as board chairman
Dubai Islamic Bank appointed Fadhel Abdulbaqi Al Ali as chairman, effective September 30, after its former chair stepped down and the central bank issued its no-objection.
AlRayan Bank appointed Usman Ahmed group CEO in Qatar leadership transition
AlRayan Bank appointed Usman Ahmed as group chief executive with Qatar Central Bank approval, while Omar Al Emadi became acting CEO pending completion of Ahmed’s joining formalities.
Saudi Investment Bank named Salman Al-Fagham CEO after accepting Al-Omran’s resignation
Saudi Investment Bank appointed Salman Al-Fagham as chief executive from 1 October after accepting Faisal Al-Omran’s resignation, following the Saudi central bank’s non-objection to the leadership change.
Tunisia's central bank overhauls payment-institution rules, raising account caps and mandating annual cybersecurity audits
Circular 2026-10, published on 25 September, replaces the 2018 framework for payment institutions, raising payment-account balance caps and requiring annual IT security audits by ANCS-certified firms.
Egypt's central bank held rates steady as inflation risks persisted
Egypt's central bank kept its overnight deposit rate at 19% and lending rate at 20%, extending its policy hold as it assessed inflation developments and the balance of risks around the outlook.
UAE Central Bank Restricted Bank Melli Iran Branches Over Compliance Breaches
The UAE central bank prohibited Bank Melli Iran’s UAE branches from conducting any financial transactions to and from Iran, including trade finance and fund transfers, citing breaches of anti-money-laundering, counter-terrorist-financing and proliferation-financing requirements.
EFG Holding secures $40 million EBRD loan for Egyptian businesses
EFG Holding secured a four-year, $40 million EBRD loan to expand financing for Egyptian micro, small and medium-sized enterprises across Egypt through eligible non-bank subsidiaries.
Saudi Central Bank confirms mBridge exit after completing its planned pilot
The Saudi Central Bank said it ended participation in mBridge after completing a proof-of-concept on 13 May 2025, removing the kingdom from the cross-border CBDC platform.