By John Lee. The Institute of Regional and International Studies (IRIS) at the American University of Iraq, Sulaimani (AUIS) has issued a new report on the banking sector in Iraq. "Expanding Access to Banks in Iraq: Challenges & Pathways to Reform" argues that one of the major obstacles to the development of the private sector […]
Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB) has said it will strengthen its presence in Iraqi market by launching "ADIB Direct", a digital platform that meets the growing business demands in Iraq. ADIB Direct is an intuitive digital banking platform that integrates a suite of corporate banking solutions into a single, streamlined interface. The platform offers cash […]
From the Iraqi Voices podcast. Any opinions expressed here are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. How Can Iraq Upgrade Its Banking Sector? Iraqi Voices hosts Akel Al-Ansari, a commercial banking specialist, to discuss the current state of the banking sector in Iraq and what is […]
By John Lee. Mastercard has signed a partnership agreement with the Central Bank of Iraq (CBI) to digitize the country's payment ecosystem in a bid to boost financial inclusion, encourage socio-economic development, mitigate the risks of a shadow economy and accelerate the advancement toward a cashless society. According to a statement from the company, the […]
By John Lee. First Iraqi Bank (FIB), a newly established digital bank in Iraq, has reportedly selected the ICS BANKS digital banking platform from ICS Financial Systems Limited (ICSFS), to start its operations in Baghdad, Iraq. Shaymaa Ali Hussein, Managing Director of First Iraqi Bank said: "The need for a digital bank in Iraq today […]
By John Lee. The Central Bank of Iraq (CBI) has announced the launch of its "digital enrollment service", which it says is the first of its kind in Iraq and the region. According to a statement from the CBI: "Digital enrollment is an integrated digital financial system that enhances financial independence and liberation from traditional […]
By Omar al-Jaffal for Al Monitor. Any opinions expressed here are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Iraqi Banks undertake Overdue Reforms The Central Bank of Iraq (CBI) announced in a statement Dec. 19 the devaluation of the Iraqi dinar to 1,450 to help reduce the […]
By John Lee. The Trade Bank of Iraq (TBI) has reported that it has achieved a "robust growth" in revenues and in key financial areas during 2019, for another consecutive year with its consistent performance, preliminary report released by the bank for the financial year during 31/12/2019. In a statement, the bank said it posted […]
Iraq-based International Network for Cards and Digital Payment Services (INC Iraq) and a Lebanese fintech startup NymCard that is digitizing how payments cards are issued, delivered, and used, in collaboration with Visa have launched the first digital-only (prepaid) payment card ‘Neo‘ in Iraq to serve the underbanked Iraqi population, the two companies announced in a […]
An Iranian private bank has been authorized by the Central Bank of Iraq (CBI) to open seven branches in the Arab country, an official said. According to the Chairman of the Iranian Private Banks Institute, Koorosh Parvizian, the Iranian private bank has already opened two of the seven branches in Iraq. He noted that opening […]
By Padraig O'Hannelly. For much of Iraq's recent history, the trend has been for educated and talented Iraqis to leave the country, and for Iraq to use its oil revenues to import the expertise it needs. But that's changing; to at least some extent, the Iraqi diaspora is returning, innovative home-grown Iraqi businesses are being […]
By John Lee. Standard Chartered bank is reportedly reviving stalled plans to open a new branch for corporate customers in Basra in the first half of 2020. This would be the UK-based bank's third branch in Iraq. Its Iraq CEO Mohammed Jawad Al-Delaimy told Bloomberg: “Security in Iraq has improved dramatically ... We have witnessed […]
