BANKING - Germany could get first Islamic bank

www.thenational.ae - BERLIN // Bank Kuveyt Türk, based in Instanbul, plans to set up the first Islamic bank in Germany next year to tap into a potential market of more than four million Muslims.

An official at the German branch of Kuveyt Türk, majority-owned by Kuwait Finance House, said on Monday the bank was preparing its application for official approval. (source)

BANKING - Emirates NBD eyes Turkey for opportunities

thenational.ae - Emirates NBD is planning an overhaul of its customer service practices as it attempts to drive up the size of its consumer banking business.

The biggest bank in the UAE by assets, Emirates NBD is aiming to generate 50 per cent of group revenues from its retail banking operations, said Rick Pudner, the bank's chief executive.

"We're going to go back to basics and tweak our efficiencies," he said. "The key priority is making the bank hum. It's working well, but we need to fine-tune and make it more efficient." (source)

GCC - CAPITAL MARKETS - Guidelines issued for bond sellers in the Gulf

thenational.ae - Banks have drafted a list of pointers for organisations seeking to raise new capital on credit markets.

The move is intended to improve transparency and provide a stamp of approval for bonds and sukuk issued in the Gulf.

The guidelines were drafted by the Gulf Bond and Sukuk Association (GBSA), an industry body composed of 27 banks and other financial services firms. (source)