Financial Services

It is said frequently that mergers and acquisitions are difficult because of the culture of the Gulf – family owned businesses that are part of conglomerates are difficult to part with for founders who have an emotional connection to them, or who do not want others to equate their decision to sell with weakness. Another factor is that such owners...

In line with the kingdom’s reputation as a financial centre, Bahrain’s insurance sector has a large number of companies and a varied array of business models. Some insurers domiciled there serve only the regional market in addition to the more conventional in-country model. In the past several decades Manama has been the chosen home base for several...

Bahrain is among the world’s focal points for Islamic finance and sukuk, a sharia-compliant bond, which has been among the most important and visible Islamic instruments worldwide. The outlook for sukuk markets was increasingly positive in early 2013, as the asset class distanced itself from the 2007-08 global financial crisis. The upswing in...

Even after half a decade of challenges – first from the global financial crisis and later from regional and internal instability – few doubts remain about the resilience of Bahrain’s banking sector. The country’s traditional role as a financial hub means the industry is robust and varied. There are banks that perform basic banking functions, such as...

Credit to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is likely to be a key focus for the banking sector in 2013. This segment of the lending market is an opportunity to tap what Bahraini leaders believe is an underserved segment, while addressing the long-term priorities of the country and its economic agenda. SMEs are considered an important part of...