Gulf investors plan first euro zone Islamic bank in Luxembourg

Private investors from Gulf Arab countries plan to establish the first full-fledged Islamic bank headquartered in the euro zone. The investors aim to launch the venture, named Eurisbank, in Luxembourg during the last quarter of 2014. With initial capital of EUR 60 million, the bank would offer retail, corporate and private banking services, and would open branches in Paris, Brussels, the Netherlands and Frankfurt. In addition to the royal family from the UAE, Eurisbank will be owned by a bank from a country in the GCC and other private investors. The founders of the bank plan to apply for a license in January and expect to obtain regulatory approvals by April.