Articles from the author

There is a growing belief in the DIFC and financial services industry locally that this region needs to deepen its ties with emerging markets. The push for that two-way traffic is under way

Doha Bank, one of Qatar's leading lenders, is cautious about growing its assets

Banking figures continue to suffer from legacy asset-quality issues

Having reclaimed a stable path forward, the emirate today is gearing up for a steadier, sustainable form of growth

As the Indian economy comes under pressure, the country's financial sector faces deteriorating quality in corporate debt

Although provisions for the full year continued to surge in 2010, with only a few leading banks in the UAE reporting declines in the fourth quarter, bankers and analysts are hopeful that loan impairments and provisions have peaked

It's been quiet in Kuwait, too quiet. Ironically, not in the political sphere, but in economic policymaking and progress

Most UAE banks have affirmed that they are not yet ready to expand loan books

In these extraordinary times, banking in the GCC states continues to be marked by the current recovery cycle — as seen in non-performing loan trends — and persistent structural factors such as imbalanced economies. But relative capital strength is not in doubt

Quiet may be preferable to hostilities, but Lebanese banks are suffering the consequences of the decline in tourism and trade resulting from the upheavals in neighbouring Syria. In a comparative case, political and economic stresses have afflicted the Egyptian system as well

Spooked by the rising bad loans and provisions on investment impairments, the second quarter of the year passed without any significant improvement in balance sheet growth for the UAE banks.

As the impact of the global financial crisis has left a lasting impression, a traditional form of business, focusing on the consumer, is coming again to the fore. But will it be enough to lift spirits?