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Financial Services Sector Research Highlights

Inside Look: Financial Services and Banking in Oman 2025

Banking continues to be a key pillar of Oman’s financial sector, responsible for the majority of credit for individuals and institutions – both government-owned enterprises and the private sector....

The Report: Ajman 2025
OBG
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Financial Services Sector Analysis

Ajman’s financial sector is expanding with support from national economic policies and regional investor confidence. The emirate’s banks and financial institutions are exploring new services in Islamic finance...

Driving innovation and sustainability in Qatar's banking sector

Shahnawaz Rashid, Executive General Manager and Head of Retail Banking, Commercial Bank of Qatar (CBQ)

In this Global Platform video, Shahnawaz Rashid talks about the strategies for driving innovation and sustainability in Qatar's banking sector. Qatar has developed strong infrastructure, including roads...

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Development Bank Ghana: 2023 Highlights

Special Reports on the Financial Services Sector
Cash Transformation Report

Report: How has public-private collaboration boosted digital and cash transformation in the Bahamas?

Public-private collaboration aimed at boosting digital payments and reducing cash usage in the Bahamas has made gains in a relatively short timeframe. Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, policymakers...
ESG Intelligence Report

Report: The financial sector's central role in tackling ESG issues in Mexico

Environmental, social and governance issues are a growing focus in Mexico, particularly social inclusion and transparency, followed by other governance and environmental matters. The financial sector has...
ESG Intelligence Report

Report: The future of sustainable finance in Kuwait’s banking sector

The regulatory landscape for Gulf financial service providers is changing, with growing awareness of the need for banking institutions to adopt sustainable finance frameworks and responsible lending...
Focus Report

Focus Report: Post-pandemic trends and opportunities on African stock exchanges

Although stock exchanges on the continent were affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, recovery is starting to take shape. The crisis underlined the need to build resilience and diversify the investor base...

Report: How has public-private collaboration boosted digital and cash transformation in the Bahamas?
Report: The financial sector's central role in tackling ESG issues in Mexico
Report: The future of sustainable finance in Kuwait’s banking sector
Focus Report: Post-pandemic trends and opportunities on African stock exchanges
 

The Report: Bahrain 2024
OBG
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Banking Sector Analysis

Bahrain has established itself as a global financial services destination, with the financial sector being the largest contributor to the economy, accounting for 17.8% of GDP in 2023...

Bahrain, a centre for sustainable finance and innovation in the GCC

Abdulaziz Bin Abdulrahman Al Helaissi, Group CEO and Member of the Board, Gulf International Bank (GIB)

In this Global Platform video, Abdulaziz Bin Abdulrahman Al Helaissi, Group CEO and Member of the Board, Gulf International Bank (GIB), talks about Bahrain's banking sector, a significant contributor to...

Financial Sector Analyses

Overview

Ajman asset growth signals investor confidence in finance sector
OBG
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Ajman’s financial and insurance activities are a small but growing contributor to the emirate’s GDP, Rising from 3.5% in 2019 to 3.7% in 2023 and providing Dh1.3bn ($353.9m) to the overall economy. The emirate’s financial services sector is small compared to other emirates, such as Abu Dhabi and Dubai, with two banks headquartered in Ajman. However, their identity as Islamic banks may allow them to capitalise on growing social interest in more ethical and socially responsible financial options...

Interview

Mustafa Al Khalfawi, CEO, Ajman Bank
OBG
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On strategies to mitigate risk and how sustainable initiatives are gaining traction

Interview

Innovative landscape: Christoph Koster, CEO, Ruya Bank
OBG
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On recent developments within the sharia-compliant lending environment

Analysis

Microeconomic climate in the GCC to boost initial public offerings
OBG
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As governments in the region continue to push for privatisation, the GCC is set to see continued strong performance in initial public offerings (IPOs) in 2024. The total number of IPOs in the region decreased marginally from 48 in 2022 to 46 in 2023 – still well above the 20 recorded in 2021. Proceeds from GCC issuers totalled $10.8bn in 2023, compared to almost $23bn the year before. The growing number of successful IPOs in the region has resulted in greater interest from investors...

Overview

Bahrain financial services thrive amid global economic challenges
OBG
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Bahrain has worked hard over the years to position itself as a global financial services centre. The financial sector is the highest contributor to GDP by sector, and its development is integral to the success of national strategies such as Bahrain Economic Vision 2030 and the Economic Recovery Plan (ERP). Bahrain is also a globally competitive market in Islamic banking, with the segment witnessing significant consolidation and investment in recent years...

Interview

Proactive evolution: Abdulwahed AlJanahi, Chief Executive, Benefit
OBG
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On realising key objectives through technology adoption and regional integration

Interview

Basel Al Haroon, Governor, Central Bank of Kuwait (CBK)
OBG
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On efforts to curb inflation and implement sustainable policy

The Report: Saudi Arabia 2024
OBG
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Banking Sector Analysis

Saudi Arabia’s banking sector has experienced rapid growth, fuelled by regulatory reforms, foreign investment and digital innovation under Vision 2030. The sector supports key industries like renewable energy...

Kuwait's banks target sustainable growth

In this Growth Perspectives video, OBG shows how Kuwaiti banks are embracing environmental, social and governance principles to contribute to the sustainable growth of the banking sector...

Financial Services in Emerging Markets

Economic View

Mohammed Ali Addarrat, Chairman, Libyan Foreign Bank

On the changing commercial ecosystem and how governance reforms are evolving to align with international standards

Economic View

Kwabena Asante-Poku, Coverage Director, Ghana - British International Investment (BII)

On increasing finance for SMEs, women-led businesses and infrastructure development in Africa

Economic View

Eman Mojali, CEO, Bahrain National Insurance

On building a regulatory framework and consumer awareness to support growth

Economic View

Julian Opuni, Managing Director, Fidelity Bank Ghana

On the country’s commitment to inclusive finance

Economic News

Climate risk is reshaping the insurance sector in emerging markets
OBG
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With the launch of a new joint initiative to support the countries that are most vulnerable to climate change, the global insurance industry is evolving in ways that could carry important implications for business in emerging markets. The Global Shield against Climate Risks (GSCR) was announced by the ministers of finance of the so-called Vulnerable Twenty Group (V20) and the G7 after the COP27 UN Conference on Climate Change in Sharm El-Sheikh Egypt in November last year. It seeks to address weaknesses...

Economic News

Digital financial inclusion is reshaping payments in Côte d’Ivoire
OBG
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Already a regional standout in terms of growth and investment inflows, Côte d’Ivoire is striving to become a pioneer in digital financial inclusion. The West African country saw key indices rebound swiftly following the Covid-19 pandemic, with GDP growth reaching 7% in 2021, returning to pre-pandemic levels following a drop to 1.7% in 2020. Growth is set to remain strong, estimated at 6.7% in 2022 and projected to reach 6.2% in 2023, according to the IMF. Coupled with robust investment inflows over the past decade, the country...

Economic News

Emerging markets invest in film media to extend their global reach
OBG
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As GCC countries look to harness new forms of financial technology (fintech) such as blockchain, deepen their financial services and expand financial inclusion, governments are embracing decentralised finance (DeFi) and are working to attract cryptocurrency companies to the region. In DeFi – peer-to-peer financial services with no central authority or intermediary involved in trading, lending, investing and other activities – GCC countries see the opportunity to diversify their economies and embrace Web3 technologies...

Economic News

How digital banking is transforming access to finance in Latin America and the Caribbean
OBG
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Despite wider economic challenges such as inflation and supply chain disruptions, digital banks and neobanks are continuing to attract new customers and accelerate financial inclusion in Latin America and the Caribbean. Neobanks use apps, software and other technologies to operate exclusively through digital platforms. They are usually limited to bank accounts and cards because they often lack credit institution licences, while digital banks offer the full suite of traditional banking services online...

Increasing the accessibility of trading in Kuwait and the GCC

Talal Al Ajmi, CEO and Founder, VI Markets

In this Global Platform video, Talal Al Ajmi, CEO and Founder, VI Markets, talks about increasing the accessibility of trading. Financial markets have experienced significant changes compared to before the...

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