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Dynamism is held back by state control
 The banking industry in the Middle East reflects the lagging development of the region's economies. Although generally healthy and reasonably profitable, it has yet to begin meeting the challenges of globalisation or joining the merger wave and the internet revolution ...more
CAPITAL MARKETS:
Investment needs fuel rush for funds
Pressure to improve the flow of investment funds to and around the region has brought with it an expansion in capital markets and the rapid development of financial services in the largest financial markets in the Middle East ...more
EGYPTIAN BANKING:
Broader sweep given to decision-making
Mixed signals from the government with regard to the future complexion of Egypt's state-dominated banking sector have been a source of both uncertainty and opportunity for private-sector banks eager to expand and offer new services ...more
PROFILE:
Legal, regulatory frame awaited
When Naim Khushashi was appointed general manager of the Palestine Securities Exchange (PSE) last June, he had his work cut out. The PSE, first incorporated as a private shareholding company in early 1995 and which conducted its first trading session two years later, was operating in an environment not particularly attractive to investors ...more
GULF BANKING:
Shackled by tribal politics
At the Gulf Arab summit in December 1998, ruling family heads of state, who in many cases are their own prime ministers when the job is not held by a close relation, intoned their intention to allow regional banks to establish cross-border, intra-Gulf networks ...more
E-BANKING:
Technology proceeds at slow pace
Internet banking in the Middle East, a region where cash is still king, is in its infancy. As elsewhere in the world, there is a great deal of talk about the e-banking revolution, but rather fewer hard numbers and identifiable revenues ...more
BAHRAIN:
Leading the regional field
Abu Dhabi may have more money, and Dubai may boast more business, but in the regulatory areas that are essential for international banks and financial institutions to function, Bahrain is ahead of the regional field ...more
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