Archive | Iraq Banking & Finance News

Iraq Business News brings you the latest Iraq banking & finance news, with information on developments and opportunities.

Worst Week in Year for Iraqi Bonds

By John Lee. Bloomberg reports that Iraqi bonds have had their worst week in a year, as a result of the escalating violence in the country. Yields on January 2028 debt rose five basis points to 6.93 percent, taking this week’s increase to 55 basis points, the most since the period ended June 21, 2013. […]

Iraq's Remarkable Stock Exchange

By John Lee. Arabian Business has published a revealing interview with Iraqi Stock Exchange (ISX) chief Taha Abdulsalam al-Rubaye, outlining the incredible challenges the stock exchange has faced since its creation from the old "Baghdad stock exchange" under Iraq's sanctions hit economy of the 1990s. Despite terrifying security challenges, the ISX success has been monumental, but […]

Standard Chartered Iraq Encourages Korean Investors

By John Lee. Standard Chartered Bank hosted an information session on Monday for Korean businesses interested in investing in Iraq. At the one-day seminar held in Seoul, Gavin Wishart, CEO of Standard Chartered Bank Iraq, said that Iraq provides substantial opportunities for world-renowned Korean construction and engineering companies. He added that the Iraqi government is […]

North Bank "in Good Position for Growth"

From Marcopolis. Any opinions expressed are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Iraq's North Bank -- the largest bank in Iraq (Private) -- believes in active involvement in the market, and statics show the bank as the largest in the Republic in giving loans and three times […]

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Opportunities in Islamic Finance Sector

Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry has urged Iraqi banks and financial companies to expand their networks within the Islamic economy through Dubai which is working hard towards becoming the capital of Islamic Economy in the World during a roundtable discussion on “Islamic Finance” held in Divan Hotel, Erbil, Kurdistan. The meeting, which identified the […]

Two Convicted in Dinar Scheme

By John Lee. Two of the three men charged in a scheme to defraud investors in Iraqi currency were found guilty by a jury in U.S. District Court last week, while the third defendant was convicted only of an unrelated mail fraud charge. According to a report from the Toledo Blade, Bradford Huebner (66) and […]

Genel, ShaMaran Issue Bonds

By John Lee. Genel Energy has announced that it has completed its issue of $500 million of 7.5% senior unsecured bonds due 2019. Also, ShaMaran Petroleum has announced the listing on Oslo Børs of the USD 150 million senior secured bond issued by its wholly owned subsidiary, General Exploration Partners, Inc. The bonds carry a […]

Zain Hires Team to Lead IPO

By John Lee. Mobile operator Zain has hired Melak Investments and Rabee Securities as the leading adviser and broker to lead the initial public offering (IPO) of its shares. According to a report from The National, Melak Investments is run by the Iraq-born former Franklin Templeton asset manager Shwan Taha, who also founded Rabee Securities. Last […]

Zambia Still Owes Iraq

By John Lee. The Zambian Secretary to the Treasury, Fredson Yamba (pictured), says Government has not serviced the US$296 million debt owed to Brazil, China and Iraq as at December 2012. According to the report from Zambia Daily Herald, Mr Yamba said Brazil, China and Iraq are the only three remaining bilateral creditors that are […]

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Dinar Fraud Trial Begins

By John Lee. Ohio based publication The Toledo Blade has reported the beginning of a new trial of three local men accused of intentionally deceiving investors with the now familiar refrain that the Iraqi dinar will dramatically revalue. The accused ran a firm BH Group along with two hedge funds, with one defendant allegedly lying about fighting in Iraq. […]

New Dinars Have Improved Anti-Forgery Features

By John Lee. Iraq is introducing new Iraqi Dinar notes with improved security features, such as guarantee ribbons and the internationally used SPARK feature. The Central Bank of Iraq treasury director Ihsan Shamran al-Yasseri announced the move, noting that this was a positive step forward that would help strengthen the currency. The new notes, to […]

Lebanese Banks Eye Iraq

By John Lee. Lebanese banks intend to expand their operations in Iraq, the president of the Association of Banks in Lebanon said on Friday. Addressing a Lebanese-Iraqi banking conference in Beirut, Francois Bassil said: “The size of the Lebanese banks in Iraq may be too small compared to the huge Iraqi market. "Iraq’s seven state-owned […]

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