IslamicFinance.de

Turkey's Islamic finance industry is being reshaped as banks widen their product range and new competitors prepare to enter the market, according to a Thomson Reuters study. Promoting Islamic finance in Turkey is part of government plans to boost commercial ties with the Gulf and diversify the country's investor base. Last year Islamic banks reached a combined $36 billion in assets, representing a 5 percent share of total banking assets. The study estimates Islamic bank assets could reach between $80 billion and $120 billion by 2017. For this to occur, however, the industry will need to do more to educate customers. Moreover, banks and companies would also need to take advantage of new rules that facilitate issuance of various types of Islamic bonds.

EIIB-Rasmala, a venture between London-based European Islamic Investment Bank and Dubai's Rasmala Group, plans to widen its range of Islamic investment products with the hope of doubling assets under management over the next two years. The firm, which manages over $1 billion in assets, sees growing mid-market opportunities for its Islamic asset management and investment banking business lines, chief executive Zulfi Hydari said. By mid-market, the firm means medium-sized customers which may no longer be served by big investment banks. In investment banking, the firm is focused on arranging Islamic bonds, with deal sizes between $75 million to $150 million. Earlier this month, the firm already arranged the first tranche of a $100 million sukuk programme from FWU Group.

Malayan Banking (Maybank) has set up Maybank Islamic Asset Management (Maybank IAM) company in London. Maybank IAM's CEO Azmeen Adnan said the company aims to become a key player and catalyst in the development of the global Islamic asset management landscape. The company now offers a fixed priced Shariah real estate backed fund, the Amanah Hartanah Bumiputra, which has gained popularity among investors. In addition, it is managing direct equity portfolio mandates for haj funds and direct mandates investing in Asean countries. Collectively, a total of US$8 billion (RM25.17 billion) worth of Islamic assets under management resides within Maybank. Maybank IAM is owned by Maybank through Maybank Asset Management Group.

The European Union has lifted sanctions against Iran Insurance Company following defense presented by the corporation, its Managing Director Javad Sahamian said. The sanctions caused that letters of credit guaranteed by the company were refused by others, but after ease of sanctions the company can work actively in insuring LCs in areas such as freight. Sahamian said the corporation has managed to control sanctions considerably to prevent any great loss and pave the way for more growth.

Islamic International Rating Agency has upgraded the national scale ratings of Kuveyt Turk Participation Bank on both the short-term and long-term scale to AA-/A-1 + (Double A Minus /A-One Plus) from A+/A-1 (A Plus/A-One) previously. Ratings on the international scale have been reaffirmed with local currency ratings at BBB/A-3 (Triple B/A-Three) and foreign currency assessment at BBB-/A-3 (Triple B Minus/ A-Three). Outlook on the ratings is 'Stable'. The ratings draw on recent, continued business expansion, reinforced by fresh capital provided by the bank's sponsors. Organization level improvements in terms of strengthening the control areas and adding focus to certain business functions, has also been noted.

FWU Group, a Munich-based financial services company, has issued a $20 million five-year Islamic bond backed by insurance policies. FWU, which offers takaful solutions, used a structure known as wakala. The sukuk is the first tranche of a $100 million programme rated BBB- by Fitch, and arranged by EIIB-Rasmala. Proceeds of FWU's sukuk, which carries a profit rate of 7 percent, will be used to fund a set of re-takaful transactions for its Luxembourg-based unit Atlanticlux, which is the ultimate obligor under the programme. The assets for the transaction are the beneficial rights of insurance policies; ownership is transferred to a Guernsey-based company which is in turn managed by AON PLC, which acts as the agent.

European based multinational insurance group FWU Group has now closed the US$20 million first tranche, which was oversubscribed, of its US$100 million sukuk al-wakala programme. This transaction is a securitization of takaful (Sharia'a-compliant) insurance policies and provides an opportunity for investors to participate and invest in sukuk certificates backed by Atlanticlux Lebensversicherung, a BBB rated, multinational insurance provider. The sukuk has been assigned an investment grade credit rating by Fitch and will be issued in amortizing tranches, each with a term of five years, and an average life of about 2.5 years. Distributions will be made quarterly to investors on a fully amortizing basis and the profit rate is expected to be 7.00% per annum.

The order book for the Republic of Turkey's upcoming issue of a five-year US dollar-denominated sukuk bond has swelled to over USD2.25bn. Initial profit rate guidance for the issue remains at a spread of 325bp over mid-swaps. The offering has received a balanced response across geographies, anchored by accounts in the Gulf Cooperation Council. The 144A/Reg S issue is expected to price this week, but books could go subject at short notice. HSBC, QInvest and Standard Chartered are the leads. The issue is expected to be rated Baa3 by Moody's and BBB- by Fitch.

The order book for the Republic of Turkey's upcoming issue of a five-year US dollar-denominated sukuk bond has swelled to over USD2.25bn. Initial profit rate guidance for the issue remains at a spread of 325bp over mid-swaps. The offering has received a balanced response across geographies, anchored by accounts in the Gulf Cooperation Council. The 144A/Reg S issue is expected to price this week, but books could go subject at short notice. HSBC, QInvest and Standard Chartered are the leads. The issue is expected to be rated Baa3 by Moody's and BBB- by Fitch.

Al Baraka's Turkish subsidiary, Al Baraka Turk Participation Bank, has concluded a syndicated Sharia compliant Murabaha financing, raising a total of $196m and EUR 175.5m. A total of 23 banks from 15 countries participated in the facility, managed by the lead arrangers Standard Chartered Bank, Noor Islamic Bank (Dubai), ABC Islamic Bank (Bahrain), Barwa Bank (Qatar) and Emirates NBD Capital (Dubai). Meanwhile, the Bahrain All-Share Index slipped 0.20% to 1,194.88 points on Sunday. Al Baraka Banking Group closed even at $0.725.

Nova Resources Limited has agreed to sell its entire stake in European Islamic Investment Bank to Pearce Global Investments Limited, for a total consideration of GBP663,892. The Bermuda-based company said that the consideration is to be paid by the transfer of warrants over 9.0 million shares in Tricor PLC, the AIM-list investment company focussed on the natural resources sector. Nova said that the shares can be exercised at its discretion by the end of 2017, at an exercise prices of 0.5p, although it intends to retain the warrants for the foreseeable future. Nova said the warrants are valued at 7.38p apiece, representing a premium on Tricor's current share price of 6.50p at the time of the agreement.

International Bank of Azerbaijan (IBA) is the first European bank to present the Qibla card, which corresponds to the rules of Islamic banking. IBA Islamic Banking Department head Behnam Gurbanzade said the card will be released into circulation in the near future. The cost of the card is 40 manats. The debit card was issued in conjunction with MasterCard Platinum. It is equipped with an electronic compass indicating the direction of Mecca. With the help of this card, the card holder will be able to cash funds in the account, as well as pay for the purchase of various goods and services. Qibla card will be issued as a debit card, but can also be used with a limit of debt, issued by the bank.

Bahraini lender Al Baraka Bank's Turkish unit Albaraka Turk has secured an Islamic murabaha syndicated loan of $196 million and 175.5 million euros ($237 million). The loan, in one- and two-year tranches, had a cost of LIBOR/EURIBOR +1 percent and LIBOR/EURIBOR +1.35 percent respectively.

Turkey mandated banks for its second sovereign sukuk issue in international markets and will hold a series of investor meetings in the Middle East and Asia. HSBC, QInvest and Standard Chartered have been mandated to explore opportunities for a possible lease certificate issuance in the international capital markets. Turkey has borrowed $4.2 billion from international capital markets so far this year and plans to borrow a total of up to $6.5 billion through a mix of Eurobond, Samurai and sukuk issues by the end of the year.

A task force to encourage British banks to establish sharia-compliant products, aims to position London as a Western hub for a fast-growing Islamic finance sector. The country hopes to step up the challenge to Islamic finance centres such as Dubai and Kuala Lumpur and wants to be the leading (Islamic) finance sector outside of the Muslim world. It will make it easier for banks in London to have Islamic products. Britain currently has 22 financial institutions, including five fully sharia-compliant banks, offering Islamic finance products, and 30 London law firms offering expertise on the sector.

WOMEN IN PHILANTHROPY
SEPTEMBER 23, 2013, CASS BUSINESS SCHOOL, LONDON

The Academy of Philanthropy will be featuring some of the world's renowned philanthropists, academician, and social innovators to lead a discussion on the vital role women play in the domain of philanthropy

Women in Philanthropy - Why Women?
September 23, Cass Business School, London

To register for the event, visit http:// www.academyofphilanthropy.org or contact Dr. Yunus Sola, Director, Academy of Philanthropy at ysola@thewcmp.org or +44 751 309 4502

TBLI CONFERENCE has partnered with Nexus Network to increase awareness of, and create greater money flows toward, sustainable investing. The partnership will launch at TBLI CONFERENCE EUROPE in Zurich on 14-15 November, where TBLI and Nexus will present a special workshop called “Next Generation Dialogue”. Members of Nexus Network representing different generations will discuss their views and experience in responsible investing. According to Robert Rubinstein, founder and CEO of TBLI GROUP, the interest of Nexus’ members lies mainly in further exploring opportunities in impact investing and philanthropy. Beyond the partnership for TBLI CONFERENCE EUROPE this fall, TBLI and Nexus Network are in the planning stages for a series of smaller events hosted throughout Europe and abroad, focused on ESG and Impact Investing. These events will continue the dialogue and will help achieve TBLI’s and Nexus Network’s vision of creating a sustainable economy based upon well being. For more information please see attached file.

Dubai-based GFH Capital is snapping up central London property in search of attractive yields and may launch technology funds with a U.S.-based partner as it seeks to capitalize on business startups in the GCC. GFH Capital has been buying London properties with values between $15 million and $50 million. It is currently looking at purchasing a pair of properties for about GBP20 million, according to chief executive David Haigh. Those investments aim to exploit good prospects for returns on luxury flats in central London. In addition to its London property strategy, GFH Capital is looking at launching private equity funds that seed startups in the region. Besides, the investment in Leeds, Haigh said, was doing well.

In a setback for the United States’ attempts to isolate Iran, the General Court in Brussels threw out sanctions Friday on seven Iranian companies, including four banks, rejecting arguments that they were acting as front companies to bypass the punitive measures. The United States Treasury took the opposite tack on Friday, imposing restrictions on a network of six individuals and four businesses for links to oil sales. These actions represent a renewed crackdown to curb the use of front companies, financial institutions and businesspeople to conceal the direct involvement of the Iranian government and entities like the National Iranian Oil Company and the Naftiran Intertrade Company. European officials are expected to hold initial discussions on whether to appeal on Tuesday.

The New York Department of Financial Services (DFS) has asked half a dozen European banks to submit their official records pertaining to their financial dealings with Turkey's Uzan family. The six banks covered by the order are France based BNP Paribas, Societe Generale and Credit Agricole; Commerzbank and Deutsche Bank of Germany and Standard Chartered. The state banking regulator is investigating the case over the illegal business dealings with Uzans. Standard Chartered assured its full co-operation with the regulators, while representatives of the other European banks either declined to comment or did not respond to requests for comment.