Trade

CHRIS PRINCIPE looks at how transaction banking can use data to make money and keep customers happy over the past year it has been all but impossible to avoid the big data phenomenon and there has certainly been no shortage of media build-up regarding its promise. But strip away all the marketing hype and there is still little doubt that …

Delegates who attended the first Trade Finance for Bankers course at the Cash and Trade Training Academy voted it a total success, saying they were delighted with what they had learnt. The feedback from participants from leading MENA banks revealed that 100 per cent of them believed that as a result of attending the course they had a better understanding …

BNY Mellon, a global leader in investment management and investment services, in conjunction with the Exporta group and its leading industry publications, has announced the preliminary results of a comprehensive survey entitled Attitudes to Global Transaction Banking. Drawing on responses from banks, financial institutions, corporations and government/multilateral bodies, it addresses topics such as regulation, funding, technology, cash management, and supply …

There are a number of actions that can be taken in transaction banking to gain the edge in a highly competitive climate. Global experts NICLAS STORZ, GERO FREUDENSTEIN and STEFAN DAB explain what they are The question of the moment is, “How can financial institutions gain a competitive advantage in transaction banking in a hyper-competitive climate?” We believe the answer …

Qatari banks show renewed focus on corporate banking and trade finance, says CAROLINE MAGINN, trade partner at CMM Banks active in corporate banking and trade finance have continued to both contribute to and benefit from Qatar’s growth and prosperity. This is particularly evidenced by their increased provision of trade finance from QAR 114bn at year-end, 2010 to more than QAR …

Competition and cost will be just two areas in which the Islamic banking industry can expect future challenges. MUSHTAK PARKER looks at what 2013 has in store Judging by the cornucopia of optimistic press releases, conference speeches and utterings, it is easy to get the impression that the global Islamic banking industry is the new “untouchable” – seemingly untouchable that …

The introduction of Islamic banking into Oman is being greeted with caution by the authorities, who wish to manage the ‘orderly development of the industry’. MUSHTAK PARKER looks at the wisdom behind this decision Central Bank of Oman (CBO) officials are advising against any irrational exuberance about the introduction of Islamic banking in the Sultanate following the promulgation of a …

More flexibility is needed in the new rules set to treat trade finance almost as harshly as much riskier activities. Tod Burwell, chief executive and president of BAFT-IFSA, speaks exclusively to PAUL MELLY Banks’ capacity to extend trade finance to exporters and importers across the Middle East – and other world regions – could be sharply constrained by the tough …

Dubai, UAE and Copenhagen, Denmark, December 12, 2012 Kim Sindberg and Lakshmanan Sankaran have released the “Pocket Guide Series for International Trade.” It is a Trade Finance App for iPad and iPhone. The name of the App is “Pocket Guide Series for International Trade.” It is a series of short and convenient guides related to international trade, similar to the …

MENA is now looking favourably at SWIFT’s Bank Payment Obligation. LIZ SALECKA considers its advantages. While SWIFT’s Bank Payment Obligation (BPO) has attracted significant interest in Asia, a positive picture is also emerging in the Middle East, where it is poised to provide a viable alternative to both open account trade and letters of credit. The recent BPO deal, between …

Trade finance income has risen in the UAE thanks to a resurgence of exports and imports. CAROLINE MAGINN, trade partner at CMM, looks at what has been a most impressive performance from the banking sector With a majority of reporting banks posting figures far in excess of AED 100 million, trade fees and commissions rose by an average of seven …

A new law in Saudi Arabia will be a game changer for the housing finance and real estate development market and will propel Islamic finance to the next level in the Kingdom. MUSHTAK PARKER explains Judging by the burgeoning number of transactions successfully closed and the utterings of senior officials and bankers in Saudi Arabia this year, it is easy …

The Dealogic Trade Finance Review for the first half of 2012 shows that trade finance volumes were up seven per cent on the same period for the previous year Total global trade finance volume stood at $90.4bn in 1H 2012, up seven per cent from $84.5bn in 1H 2011, though down slightly on 2H 2011 ($96.1bn). However, activity fell to …

Banks are pausing for thought after the latest controversy regarding sanctions concerning Iran. PAUL MELLY reports If in doubt, stay out. That’s likely to be the watchword in future for banks wondering whether there is a legitimate means of serving customers linked to a country that is the subject of international sanctions. This summer saw the New York State Department …

Moving away from traditional means of financing and working in partnership with lenders will lead to more sustainable avenues of funding. This is the view of Natrajan Ramsubramani, director, head of corporate product management, MENA, Standard Chartered Bank The financial crisis began as the sub-prime crisis in the United States and has now assumed much larger proportions as the European …

The demand for export credit and investment guarantees has increased dramatically in the wake of the Arab Spring and the signs are this trend will continue in the foreseeable future. MUSHTAK PARKER casts an eye over the financial landscape “sovereign guarantees – no-one takes them seriously these days. They don’t mean much, especially in the wake of what has been …