By Padraig O'Hannelly. Iraq is embarking on a comprehensive restructuring of its banking sector with the assistance of leading international consultancy firms, according to Dr Salih Salman, Advisor to the Iraqi Prime Minister, speaking at the Iraq Britain Business Council (IBBC) Spring Conference in London on Tuesday. The Iraqi government has appointed Ernst & Young […]
By John Lee. Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani chaired a high-level meeting with the heads of Iraqi banks on Monday, reaffirming his government's commitment to banking reform as a pillar of broader economic revitalisation. He directed all banks to simplify procedures, embrace modern technologies, and encourage public confidence by stimulating deposits. The Prime Minister announced […]
By John Lee. Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' Al-Sudani addressed the Conference on Reforming the Iraqi Banking Sector on Monday, outlining an ambitious agenda to modernise Iraq's financial infrastructure and promote sustainable economic development. Key initiatives and achievements highlighted in the Prime Minister's address include: Implementation of a three-year national budget, enabling long-term planning and strategic […]
By John Lee. Prime Minister Mohammed S. Al-Sudani chaired a meeting on Sunday to review the reform process for Rafidain Bank and Rasheed Bank, with representatives from Ernst & Young (EY) in attendance. The discussions focused on aligning the banks' operations with international standards, addressing debt repayment mechanisms, and enhancing staff training. The Prime Minister […]
By John Lee. In line with directives from the Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank of Iraq (CBI), Al-Rafidain Bank has announced the launch of the first issuance of national bonds worth IQD 2 trillion [$1.5 billion]. The issuance period runs from February 10 to March 10, 2025. The bonds are available in two […]
By John Lee. The Iraqi Cabinet has approved significant banking reforms, including the establishment of a new, innovative financial institution named Rafidain First Bank [Rafidain Al-Awal Bank]. The new bank aims to lead regional financial markets and provide advanced digital banking services. Key Details: New Bank Creation: Rafidain First Bank will operate as a joint-stock […]
By John Lee. Prime Minister Mohammed S. Al-Sudani has chaired a meeting with representatives from Ernst & Young (EY) to discuss the development of state-owned banks, focusing on the restructuring of Al Rafidain Bank and Al-Rasheed Bank. The restructuring plan includes comprehensive technical and administrative reforms aimed at enhancing banking services for citizens and businesses. […]
By John Lee. Karkh Criminal Court in Baghdad has sentenced three defendents in the "tax deposit" scandal, often referred to as the "heist of the century." The case involves the theft of 3.7 trillion Iraqi dinars ($2.5 billion) from the General Tax Authority's account at the state-run Rafidain Bank. According to a brief statement from […]
By John Lee. Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed S. Al-Sudani chaired a meeting focused on the reform of Iraq's banking sector, particularly Rafidain Bank, with representatives from Ernst & Young (EY) presenting recommendations. Key proposals included updating the bank's legal status, capital structure, and strategy to align with global banking standards. The recommendations will be submitted […]
By John Lee. As part of the Iraqi government's efforts to reform the financial and banking sectors, the Council of Ministers has approved the contracting of Rafidain Bank with K2 Integrity and up to three experts in the fields of compliance, anti-money laundering, and risk management. According to a statement from the Office of the […]
By John Lee. The Governor of the Central Bank of Iraq (CBI), Ali Mohsen Al-Alaq, chaired a supervisory committee meeting on the restructuring of the state-owned Rafidain Bank. Attendees included committee members from the Ministry of Finance, advisors to the Prime Minister, senior Central Bank officials, and representatives from Ernst & Young. The meeting reviewed […]
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 […]
