IslamicFinance.de

Dubai Islamic Bank (DIB) group announced its financial results for last year, reporting a net profit of Dhs1.19bn, an increase of 13% compared to 2011. DIB's Board of Directors also recommended the distribution of a cash dividend of 15%, subject to regulatory and general assembly approvals. In general, the financial results show healthy growth across the bank's operations, confirmed by Fitch Ratings recently, that gave the bank a Long-term Issuer Default Rating at 'A' with a stable outlook.

Shuaa Capital announced the establishment of Saudi-based Gulf Installments Company, which focuses on providing installment and lease financing to businesses across a variety of sectors and assets. Lease periods are available from 1 to 4 years and can be tailored to suit the needs of each individual client based on the term, down payment and rental plan. David Hunt was appointed CEO of Gulf Installments Company which will be operated by Gulf Finance under a management contract with Shuaa.

Mashreq has reported a net profit of AED1.3 billion for the last year, constituting a 60 per cent increase on the previous year. The annual increase is on the back of fee income and investment income. The board has proposed a cash dividend of 38% subject to Central Bank and shareholder approval. According to the Chief Executive Officer of Mashreq, H.E. Abdul-Aziz Al Ghurair, the sucess of Mashreq in 2012 is based on commitment to customer centricity and staying at the leading edge of banking innovation. The bank also received several awards last year.

Managing-Director of Bank Mellat Ali Divandari announced that his bank has been removed from the European Union's sanctions list. The EU Council had listed Bank Mellat and its then-chairman Dr Divandari in the designated list in July 2010 on the basis that it was a legitimate part of its regime of sanctions designed to stop the Iranian nuclear program. Both the bank and Dr Divandari challenged the sanctions in the European Court which finally declared a ruling in support of Bank Mellat.

The Islamic International Rating Agency (IIRA) has assigned a national scale long-term credit rating of 'AA-' (Double A Minus) to Bank of Khartoum (BOK) with a short-term rating of 'A-1' (A One). The outlook on the assigned rating is 'stable'. The fiduciary score has been assessed in the range of '70-75', reflecting adequate fiduciary standards wherein rights of various fund providers are adequately defined and protected. BOK is the first financial institution to have been rated in Sudan.

The Islamic International Rating Agency (IIRA) situated in Bahrain has upgraded the credit rating of Jordan Islamic Bank (JIB) on the national scale, whereas the international scale ratings of JIB have been reaffirmed. The outlook on the ratings is 'stable'. The report issued by the agency also reaffirmed JIB's Sharia Quality Rating of AA, which confirms the bank's conformance to very high standards of Islamic Shari'a principles in its dealings and finances.

The Agricultural Development Bank (ADB) is hoping to introduce Islamic banking services for its Muslim and non-Muslim clients within one year. In order to educate the public about Islamic banking methods and strategies, ADB sought the help of experts from Deloitte and Touche. Jail Leladhasingh, corporate manager, business development at ADB, said the ADB is exploring the possibility of setting up the bank to offer this alternative service to farmers.

Oman's Ahlibank, which launched its Al Hilal Islamic banking services in the sultanate, is considering to convert all its conventional branches to Islamic banking. According to Abdullah al Jabri, DGM and head of Al Hilal Islamic Banking Services, the bank is planning to start with branches in Ibra, Nizwa and Sur in the coming month.

Zain Saudi has extended the maturity of a nine billion riyal ($2.40bn) Islamic loan for another four weeks until February 27. The lending banks accorded to put back the maturity of the murabaha facility for the seventh time since it was agreed in July 2009. Zain Saudi said it would use the extension to conclude negotiations with lenders over a new long-term financing agreement, but also warned the existing facility could be further extended.

The Iranian Bank Mellat plans to sue the European Union governments for damages after a European court annulled sanctions against the company. The reasons for the court's decision are that the EU failed to provide enough evidence that Bank Mellat was linked to Iran's disputed nuclear progamme. However, EU governments may appeal the decision. Bank Mellat now plans to resume trading in Europe although broader European sanctions against Iranian banks could still limit Bank Mellat's ability to function there.

The European Court of Justice annulled the European Union (EU) sanctions imposed against the Iranian Bank Mellat in July 2010. According to the bank's Managing-Director Ali Divandari, the Court also required the EU to cover the costs of legal procedures. Additionally, Bank Mellat will receive all legal expenses as well as compensation from the EU for losses incurred because of these sanctions. Divandari also said vague reasons were used by the EU to impose the sanctions two and a half years ago.

Approximately US$10 million were stolen from the vault of the International Bank for Trade and Finance (IBTF) in Damascus on January 17. According to the bank's chief executive Sultan Al Zobi, the management only discovered the robbery on the following Sunday. He also added that a bank employee was believed to be involved in the raid. IBTF notified the authorities, an investigation is under way.

DURBAN-based Al Baraka Bank launched a full international foreign exchange service and now offers a full range of international banking services. As part of the Al Baraka Banking Group it can leverage off the group and its 14 subsidiaries around the world. According to the bank's CE Shabir Chohan, the full foreign exchange service coupled with the recently launched chequebook facility will position the bank as a competitive commercial bank in South Africa.

Bahrain's Al Salam Bank confirmed media reports related to a potential merger with an unnamed regional bank. One potential merger prospect is Khaleeji Commercial Bank , after Gulf Finance House, which owns 47 percent of the lender, said last week it was studying tie-up options with other Bahraini banks. In February, merger talks between Bahrain Islamic Bank and Al Salam Bank collapsed due to disagreement on valuation.

BankIslami Pakistan Limited on Tuesday joined the Global Trade Finance Programme, which promotes trade in emerging markets by supporting the flow of goods and services. The programme was established by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), who will support BankIslami’s trade finance business by providing partial or full guarantees for individual trade transactions. Since the trade finance programme’s inception in Pakistan in 2006, IFC has provided more than 3,500 guarantees worth $1.74 billion to financial institutions.

The Kingdom Holding Company ( KHC ) established a Shariah Committee to study the gradual conversion of future sources for loans for the company to be Shariah compliant. The committee consists of chairman Sheikh Abdullah Sulaiman Al Manee'a, two members and a secretary general. During the first meeting it was decided to prepare an integrated strategic plan for the conversion of future loans in accordance with the Islamic Shariah.

As part of its strategy to raise money for its creditors, Bahrain-based Arcapita Bank sold its stakes in five retirement homes outside London. The American property investment trust Health Care REIT bought the 80 per cent ownership. Arcapita Bank has faced legal proceedings with creditors after the 2008 global financial crisis and is therefore liquidating its assets.

Several Japanese institutions are establishing and expanding their Islamic finance businesses. Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking for example made a Shariah-compliant deal with Brunei Gas Carriers (BGC). Other financial institutions and insurance companies focus on Malaysia to offer their Islamic products.

Azrul Azwar Ahmad Tajudin today confirmed his suspension as chief economist of Bank Islam after his prediction of the likely results of Election 2013. The bank, however, moved to distance itself from Azrul Azwar and emphasized that the views expressed by him should not be linked or attributed to Bank Islam. It is unknown how long the suspension will last.

SEDCO Holding Group has announced the appointment of Anees Ahmed Moumina as Chief Executive Officer succeeding Dr. Adnan Abdulfattah Soufi whose three-year term expired at the end of 2012. Moumina has had a banking career that has brought him into contact with a variety of business sectors including contracting, trading, manufacturing, investments, real estate, transportation, leasing, government and public sector activities, remedial management and Islamic banking.