Tag Archives | banking

Path Set for Iraqi Banks to Rejoin Global Finance System

By Nadim Kawach, for Arabian Gulf Business Insight (AGBI). Any opinions expressed here are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Path Set for Iraqi Banks to Rejoin Global Finance System The Central Bank of Iraq (CBI) has announced it has secured an agreement under which seven […]

Iraq Private Banks sign MoU with US Energy Engineers Body

By John Lee. The Iraqi Private Banks League (IPBL) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) in Washington, DC, aimed at supporting Iraq's banking sector in financing the transition to a green economy and developing the country's energy infrastructure. The signing took place on the sidelines of Prime […]

CBI to Launch New Initiatives for Money Exchange

By John Lee. New initiatives are planned to expand the activities of money exchange companies in Iraq and create additional revenue opportunities, according to the Central Bank of Iraq (CBI). Nizar Nasser Hussein, Governor of the CBI, met with a number of directors and board chairs of money exchange companies to discuss ways to develop […]

Iraq Private Banks League and GIZ Sign Financial Sector MoU

By John Lee. The Iraqi Private Banks League (IPBL) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Germany's Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), establishing a strategic framework to support the development of Iraq's financial and banking sector and promote sustainable economic growth. The MoU was signed by Ali Tariq, Executive Director of the Iraq […]

IBPL Welcomes Banking Update, Expects Stable Dinar

By John Lee. The Iraqi Private Banks League (IPBL) has welcomed the recent announcement that seven Iraqi private banks are to regain access to foreign currency correspondent banking channels (excluding the US dollar). The announcement followed high-level talks between the Central Bank of Iraq (CBI) and officials at the US Treasury. An IBPL statement described […]

Iraq Opens Door to Foreign Bank Branches for Investment Finance

By John Lee. The opening of foreign bank branches in Iraq will help fund investment projects, ease banking operations for foreign companies, expand financing channels, and transfer modern banking expertise, according to Finance Minister Faleh Sari. Sari made the remarks following a meeting between a government delegation led by Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi and representatives […]

Iraqi Banks Set for Return to International Correspondent Channels

By John Lee. Seven Iraqi banks have been cleared to re-enter non-dollar international correspondent banking channels, following high-level meetings between the governor of the Central Bank of Iraq (CBI) and officials at the US Treasury. The meetings followed Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi's official visit to the United States and his meeting with the US President. […]

World Bank Offer of Technical Support to Iraq

By John Lee. Iraq's Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi has met with World Bank Group President Ajay Banga in Washington. The delegation accompanying Banga included Makhtar Diop, President of the International Finance Corporation (IFC), and senior World Bank officials. According to the Prime Minister's Office, al-Zaidi highlighted the government's focus on banking sector reform and programme […]

$916m CBI Initiative Targets Education and Veterinary Medicine

By John Lee. The Central Bank of Iraq (CBI) has reportedly launched a lending initiative worth IQD 1.2 trillion (USD 916 million) to support education and veterinary medicine, and to strengthen liquidity in the banking sector. According to the state-run Iraqi News Agency (INA), the initiative is based on Central Bank Law No. 56 of […]

Central Bank Eases Rules on Cash Dollar Withdrawals

By John Lee. The Central Bank of Iraq (CBI) has reportedly ruled that banks may disburse customers' dollar-denominated deposits in cash, effective 15 July 2026. According to the state-run Iraqi News Agency (INA), a CBI circular sets out the following provisions: Banks may continue to open foreign-currency accounts for customers, with customers entitled to withdraw […]