Dubai: Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) said Ahli United Bank Limited (AUBL), a 100 per cent subsidiary of Ahli United Bank, has launched operations at the centre.

“AUBL’s landmark decision to operate out of the Centre reinforces our 2024 Strategy and further strengthens DIFC’s position as a leading global hub for businesses and financial institutions seeking growth opportunities across the Middle East, Africa and South Asia. Our enabling and robust platform is continuously evolving to give clients the confidence to leverage new corridors for the continued expansion of their operations,” Eisa Kazim, Governor of DIFC said in a statement.

AUBL is the first bank in the GCC region to receive the Category 1 license from the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA).

The expansion into the UAE market, through a presence in DIFC, is in line with AUB Group’s strategy to develop an integrated banking presence in markets across the GCC region and to act as a preferred regional intermediary for clients with regard to securing their cross border banking needs. AUB Group is already present in the UK, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Egypt, Iraq and the UK, the bank said in a statement.