Iraq Business News brings you the latest Iraq banking & finance news, with information on developments and opportunities.
By John Lee. Various media sources say that Iraq has banned eight local commercial banks from making transactions in U.S. dollars. This precludes these banks from taking part in the Central Bank's daily dollar auction. The banks are reported to be: Ashur International Bank for Investment; Investment Bank of Iraq; Union Bank of Iraq; Kurdistan […]
By John Lee. The US Treasury Department has sanctioned Iraq's Al-Huda Bank, and its owner and Chairman, Hamad al-Moussawi. On Monday, the Department's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) said the bank, "serves as a conduit for terrorist financing, as a foreign financial institution of primary money laundering concern." Along with its finding, FinCEN proposed imposing […]
By John Lee. In a move to enhance the investment sector and align with the directives of the Ministry of Finance, Rafidain Bank has announced the issuance of the third series of reconstruction bonds for amounts of 500,000 and 1,000,000 Iraqi dinars. The bonds carry an annual interest rate of 6% and 8% for two […]
By John Lee. On the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani met with Mr. Ajay Banga, the President of the World Bank Group. The meeting focused on discussing cooperation between Iraq and the World Bank in various economic sectors, contributing to supporting the government's efforts and […]
By John Lee. In Davos, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani met with Mr. Khaled Haballah, the Regional CEO of J.P. Morgan (JPMorgan Chase) for the Middle East and North Africa. The meeting focused on exploring cooperation opportunities in financial areas, including opening accounts for Iraqi banks. Discussions also touched upon the potential participation of […]
By John Lee. Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani has presided over a meeting with representatives from Ernst & Young (EY), specializing in auditing and financial consulting. The preliminary draft of the company's plan for restructuring the state-owned Rafidain Bank was discussed. According to a statement from the Prime Minister's office, he emphasized the need […]
By John Lee. Qi Card has announced the inclusion of all holders of Rafidain Bank cards in the Western Union money transfer service. Director Ali Hussein Mun'im said the decision was made in order to serve a broader segment of the public. Qi Card was established in 2007 as a joint venture between the private […]
By John Lee. The National Bank of Iraq (NBI) has announced the introduction of three new banking systems. According to Izzidin Abusalameh, Group Chief Operating Officer of Capital Bank of Jordan (majority shareholder of NBI), trade finance operations will be enhanced with the help of software from UK-based Finastra. Additionally, both NBI and Capital Bank […]
By John Lee. Iraq's Ministry of Finance announced on Friday the issuance of the third tranche of reconstruction bonds, named "Sukuk Al-Imar," totaling 2 trillion dinars [$1.5 billion]. This issuance is in accordance with Budget Law No. 13 for the fiscal years 2023-2024-2025, covering the period from December 31, 2023, to January 30, 2024. The […]
By John Lee. The Iraqi Cabinet has approved a series of contracts with UK-based professional services firm Ernst & Young (EY), aimed at reforming Iraq's banking and insurance sectors: The first contract involves a comprehensive study on the restructuring of the state-owned Rafidain Bank and Rasheed Bank, with recommendations and a roadmap expected within six […]
The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has signed a loan agreement with the Government of Iraq to provide a Japanese ODA loan of up to 45,298 million yen [$320,ooo] for the Samawah Water Supply Improvement Project. In order to improve water-supply volume, water quality, and service hours, and to make effective use of water resources, […]
By John Lee. The Central Bank of Iraq (CBI) has decided to establish the "National Company for Electronic Payment Systems in Iraq," marking a qualitative development in the country's financial infrastructure. The new company will be responsible for efficiently developing, operating, and managing national electronic payment and settlement systems, introducing new elements to enhance the […]
