Published: January 8, 2020
Welcome to EMEA Finance’s Middle East Banking Awards 2019. This awards package celebrates twelve years that we have recognized the achievements of the region’s retail and investment banks, asset managers, and brokers. These awards afford special attention through our Middle East-level winners to banks and financial institutions that are pushing the industry forward with new and innovative products and services, excelling in investment banking, increasing the number of banked individuals, and giving back to the community through their corporate social responsibility programmes and financial inclusion efforts.
Our coverage of the banking industry is increasingly focused on the digital wave sweeping over the entire global economy. Inevitably, our winners are deeply engaged in this digital transformation, and the banks that are embracing this change and adapting quickly are likely the ones who will continue to prosper. At the moment, the banking sector has the dubious benefit of regulators, fintechs, and tech giants, to manage and to work with or against depending upon where you stand. All the while customers, corporate and retail alike, need to be pleased. We hope that you will enjoy learning how this year’s winners are tackling these challenges and finding new and innovative ways to succeed.
In capital markets, the year registered some important milestones like Kuwait’s inclusion in FTSE and MSCI indices that immediately elevated the local bourse and boosted the overall and long-term attention of international investors. The region’s investment banks supported plenty of successful bond and loan syndications particularly in the GCC, and many of our winning banks are winning EMEA mandates as global and lead arrangers, while supporting many of these firms as investors too.
Equity markets were back in fashion, and the region was responsible for not only for the largest IPO in the world this year, but also for the largest ever primary listing with Saudi Aramco’s Tadawul debut. Many bankers and brokers are already waiting for the day when the firm will expand its listing beyond the Kingdom’s borders.
This year’s Middle East Banking Awards 2019 editorial feature covers banks operating across the region acknowledged for their achievements in the past year.
Our country reports explore the performances of many of our winners and includes insights from key executives at the winning firms regarding their strategies for growth and proudest accomplishments from the course of 2019. Congratulations to all our winners on their hard won success.