IslamicFinance.de

Bahrain Islamic Bank is seeking to sell about 82m dinars (£166m) of unproductive assets such as land and shares as part of a five-year plan to boost growth. The lender sold 14m dinars-worth of these assets in the first half and plans the sale of a similar amount in the remainder of the year. S&P Global Ratings downgraded Bahrain in February because its vulnerability to slumping oil prices has increased since 2009. Fitch Ratings expects Bahrain’s general government debt to rise to almost 80% of GDP this year, from 62% in 2015. According to CEO Hassan Jarrar, Bahrain Islamic Bank plans to boost revenue by 20 to 25% annually, achieve a return on equity of 15% to 16% and cut its cost-to-income ratio to mid-40% from 60% over two years.

The General Council for Islamic Banks and Financial Institutions (CIBAFI) has announced the schedule of its Technical Workshops on Product Development for Islamic Financial Institutions (IFIs). The workshops will start on August 30 and will be organized in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Sudan. The three-day Technical Workshops aim to provide participants with hands on technical knowledge and skills pertaining to product development, with a focus on Islamic financial services. CIBAFI, as the voice of the industry, aims to provide platforms such as these to develop human capital and bring industry professionals together.

Bahrain-based Islamic investment bank GFH Financial Group (GFH) has signed a memorandum of understanding to buy a majority stake in Bank Al Khair. Founded in 2004, Bank Al Khair is an Islamic bank with total assets of $580.5 million as of March 2016. The deal is subject to approval by the boards of directors and shareholders of the banks, as well as completion of due diligence and regulatory approvals.

The #Bahrain based Al Baraka Banking Group (ABG) announced that it achieved an increase in total operating income of 7% and net profits before tax and provisions by 4% during the first half of 2016. Total assets increased by 2%, total finance and investments by 4%, deposits by 1% while total equity increased by 2% as at the end of June 2016. Total operating income reached US$ 538 million in the first half of 2016 compared to US$ 502 million during the same period of 2015. Al Baraka's CEO Adnan Ahmed Yousif said the Group opened 24 new branches in the first half of 2016 to bring total branches to 611. He considers the entry of the Group to Morocco market a very important achievement, because it represents one of the main markets in the Arab Maghreb and Africa. Also, it means a higher diversification in assets and income sources for the Group.

Bahrain-based Islamic investment bank GFH Financial Group has repaid $45 million worth of debt, bringing its total syndicated liabilities down to $105 million. This is the latest effort by GFH to deleverage, having held liabilities of over $1 billion back in 2008. In June GFH planned to raise $150 million via sukuk to repay outstanding debts and use surplus cash for future investments. Together with Abu Dhabi Financial Group, GFH is working to establish an Islamic financial institution in Abu Dhabi's financial free zone with authorised capital of $100 million.

Bahrain’s Eskan Bank has enjoyed a very fruitful 2015. The bank recorded positive growth in its mortgage-loan portfolio and also made great strides in several of its social and affordable housing initiatives. Total net income grew by 8% during the year, while the bank’s capital-adequacy ratio continued to improve to 151.72%. Although the Ministry of Housing (MOH) is responsible for the allocation of social-housing financing to Bahraini citizens, Eskan Bank provides pivotal support through the processing of approved social-housing financing applications.

The important role of the Republic of Turkey in the global Islamic finance industry as well as its distinct standing both at the official and popular levels, the steady growth both of Islamic banks and financial institutions operating there, in addition to the parallel evolution of its regulatory and supervisory framework, the AAOIFI has been keen to strengthen professional and technical ties with this country. This was translated into an official visit by AAOIFI to a number of banking regulatory and supervisory bodies as well as a number of Islamic banks and financial institutions, professional entities and academic institutions.

GFH Financial Group plans to list its Bahraini subsidiary Khaleeji Commercial Bank in Dubai and acquire a financial services company to increase shareholder value. GFH's CEO Hisham al-Rayes said the company wants to regarded by investors as a financial holding company rather than an investment bank. The company aims to generate around 15% of its income over the next two years from real estate investments, which will be managed by a new Dubai-based operation called GFH Real Estate.

Ibdar Bank recently concluded its Annual General Meeting for the fiscal year 2015 and appointed a new Board of Directors. For fiscal year 2015, the Bank reported $14.5 million loss attributable to shareholders. Total revenue for 2015 was $25.6 million compared to $13.6 million for 2014 an increase of 88% over the last year. The improved operating performance in 2015 was overshadowed by impairment and negative fair value changes of $23.8 million. In addition, shareholders elected a new Board of Directors for a three year period. Mr. Tareq Sadeq was appointed as the Bank’s Chairman and Mr. Abdulkarim Ahmed Bucheery as Vice Chairman.

Nogaholding, the investment arm of #Bahrain’s National Oil and Gas Authority (NOGA) hosted a dinner to commemorate the signing of the $570 mn Murabahah finance facility. Minister of Energy and Chairman of nogaholding Dr. Abdul Hussain bin Ali Mirza congratulated all the lenders for their support. The ten banks which participated include: Arab Banking Corporation (ABC), Ahli United Bank (AUB), Arab Petroleum Investments Corporation (APICORP), Gulf International Bank (GIB), and National Bank of Bahrain (NBB), Qatar Islamic Bank (QIB), Kuwait Finance House (KFH), The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ (MUFG), BNP Paribas and HSBC. nogaholding’s first syndicated debt facility carries a term of five years. The facility size was increased by more than 60% due to strong demand from participating banks.

The government of Bahrain has privately placed a $435 mn, three-year sukuk issue in a deal arranged by Noor Bank, Bank ABC and Kuwait Finance House. The deal was priced in the area of 325 basis points over midswaps. Strained by low oil prices, Bahrain borrowed in February $600 mn in a two-tranche reopening of a previous US dollar bond issue. On Saturday Moody's Investors Service cut its rating of Bahrain's sovereign debt by one notch to Ba2, taking the rating deeper into junk territory, with a negative outlook.

#Bahrain-based First Energy Bank (FEB) appointed Khaleefa Butti Omair as the Bank's new chairman, following the recent departure of the Bank's former chairman, Khadem Al Qubaisi. Mr. Khaleefa is a national of the United Arab Emirates with over 13 years experience in investment management. He serves as Chairman and board member of several companies.

Bahrain-based Al Baraka Banking Group will establish a banking unit in Morocco after receiving approval from local authorities. The bank said entry to the Morocco market would significantly help diversify assets and income sources for the group. In contrast with its peers in the Gulf, Al Baraka has built the bulk of its business outside of the region, including units in Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt, Tunisia and South Africa.

The #Bahrain based Al Baraka Banking Group (ABG) announced that it achieved a substantial increase in total operating income of 16%, and net profits before tax and provisions by 13% during the first quarter of 2016. President & CEO Adnan Ahmed Yousif said the group opened 20 new branches in the first quarter of 2016 to bring total branches to 607 branches with total staff of 11,458. Additionaly, ABG obtainied official approval to establish a banking unit in Morocco, which means a higher diversification in assets and income sources for the Group.

Bahrain Islamic Bank (BisB) has announced the appointment of Nada Ishaq Abdul Karim as Executive Secretary to its Board of Directors. The appointment of the first Bahraini woman in this position comes within the Bank's strategic plans in line with the "Ishraq" Initiative- Back to Basics 2016. CEO Hassan Amin Jarrar said this shows the bank's continuous support for qualified Bahraini women and promotion of Bahraini personnel.

The General Council of Islamic Banks and Financial Institutions launched its Global Forum 'Rethinking Values for Sustainable Growth' in Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain. The Forum was attended by delegates from more than 28 countries. Special keynote guest Dr. Mark Mobius covered expert views on MENA and emerging markets including the impact of oil prices on economies, as well as what structural reforms are required for sustainable growth.

Global investment management firm Arcapita has acquired a logistics park in Dubai for a total transaction value of approximately $100 million.The investment comprises nine freehold plots of land in the Al Quoz Industrial area covering an area of approximately 630,000 square feet, located next to Al Khail Road. The site will consist of 10 completed warehousing facilities that will be under a long term master lease with a UAE conglomerate. Martin Tan, Arcapita’s chief investment officer, expects Dubai’s logistics market to experience growth, driven by its geographical location and legislation.

Dr. Mark Mobius, Executive Chairman, Templeton Asset Management, is set to give a Special Keynote address at the CIBAFI Global Forum to be held in Bahrain. Mr Mobius will cover the following topics: Thoughts on how finance can contribute to sustainable growth of the economy; Insights on how financial markets in the global and emerging markets are expected to perform; Expert views on MENA market and the impact of oil prices on economies; Assessment of and what structural reforms are required to spur good growth; The potential growth markets in mid-to- long terms; Lessons for Islamic finance.

Shareholders with Bahrain-based Ithmaar Bank recently approved of the new group structure plans that will help the core retail banking business grow along with the bank’s strategic focus. The new plans were part of a proposal from the bank's board of directors and are still subject to approvals and further changes. The new structure will better allow the bank to compete with the global market. Ithmaar Bank Chairman Prince Amr Al Faisal said this new group structure will help lower the risk profile of the new banking entity and enhance shareholder value.

Nogaholding, the holding company for oil and gas assets owned by the government of Bahrain, signed to obtain a five-year, $570 million murabaha financing facility. The Islamic funding will support investment in a number of large oil and gas projects in the kingdom, including the BAPCO Modernisation Programme, a liquefied natural gas import terminal, and the Bahrain Gas Plant Project. The facility is provided by 10 international, regional and local institutions: Arab Banking Corp, Ahli United Bank, Arab Petroleum Investments Corp, Gulf International Bank, National Bank of Bahrain, Qatar Islamic Bank, Kuwait Finance House, Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, BNP Paribas and HSBC.