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Falling profits will force Turkish bank modernisation

Location:

TURKEY

Banks' response to limited growth and profitability from restrictions on growing their credit card businesses.

Retail banking in the Middle East will be subdued

Location:

MIDDLE EAST

Low global oil prices are weighing heavily on the profitability of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) banking sector. Moody's Investors Service in March downgraded 26 GCC banks…

Sanctions could prompt Hezbollah backlash in Lebanon

Location:

LEBANON

The Hezbollah International Financing Prevention Act (HIFPA) makes it possible for accounts of people and businesses who have transactions with Hezbollah to be frozen. On the…

Egypt's tech pioneers aspire to a global role

Location:

EGYPT

These came after leading fintech firm, Fawry, achieved ‘unicorn’ status in August 2020 with a market valuation over USD1bn, and after transportation app Swvl announced plans to…

Saudi Arabia will fall short of housing targets

Location:

SAUDI ARABIA

The national housing deficit is estimated at 1.5 million homes, rising rapidly given the country's youthful demographic profile. This is an important government policy target…

Lebanese anti-corruption legislation will disappoint

Location:

LEBANON

Parliament passed long-awaited anti-corruption laws in April and May in response to protests. These include a comprehensive UN-based definition of corruption, the creation of a…

Economic warfare in Yemen could boost piracy risk

Location:

YEMEN

Since it began in March 2015, the many-sided conflict has become internationalised, following threats to the vital shipping artery in the Bab al-Mandab strait, through which trade…

Pressure on Iran’s banks raises chances of collapse

Location:

IRAN

However, the signs of strain are becoming more marked. On December 15, the Central Bank of Iran (CBI) issued an official warning to all financial institutions, threatening legal…