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Malaysia’s commodities platform highlights splits in Islamic opinion

18 Aug 2010 Islamic finance
Bursa Malaysia’s commodity trading platform is a year old, but it is still not compliant with the tenets of the religion according to one Saudi academic institution. The divergence of opinions and the platform’s rising success reveal the tensions between traditional Islamic thought and modern commercial concerns. Chris Wright reports.
Islamic bank awards 2010: Saudi Arabia

26 Apr 2010 Islamic finance, Polls & awards
Al Rajhi Bank's distribution has grown even bigger than its vast branch network would suggest. Now its shariah-compliant mutual funds are available to investors via its website. It wins Asiamoney's award as the best Islamic bank in Saudi Arabia. Chris Wright reports.
Islamic bank awards 2010: UAE

26 Apr 2010 Islamic finance, Polls & awards
Dubai Islamic Bank has had its troubles but it appears to have retained the support of its client base nevertheless. It wins Asiamoney's award as the best Islamic bank in the United Arab Emirates. Chris Wright reports.
Islamic bank awards: Qatar

23 Apr 2010 Islamic finance, Polls & awards
Qatar Islamic Bank is at the heart of the development of Islamic finance, and banking generally, in Qatar. It holds 53% of the domestic market and is one of the top five Islamic banks worldwide. It wins Asiamoney's award as the best Islamic bank in Qatar. Chris Wright reports.
Islamic bank awards 2010: Gulf States

22 Apr 2010 Islamic finance, Polls & awards
Al Rajhi Bank stands as the largest Islamic lender in the Gulf Cooperation Council by market value. With the scale to be a real heavyweight, it wins our award as the best regional Islamic bank in the Gulf. Chris Wright reports.
Islamic bank awards 2010: Bahrain

22 Apr 2010 Islamic finance, Polls & awards
Unicorn earns Asiamoney's award in Bahrain for progress in capital markets and for innovation. Even if a bid for Bank Islam doesn’t pan out, it would be no surprise to see it buy another commercial bank. Chris Wright reports.
Islamic bank awards 2010: Brunei

20 Apr 2010 Islamic finance, Polls & awards
Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam has the right backers and presence to benefit if Brunei turns its Islamic and financial ambitions into reality. It wins Asiamoney's award as the best Islamic bank in Brunei. Chris Wright reports.
Islamic bank awards 2010: Indonesia

20 Apr 2010 Islamic finance, Polls & awards
Until the Islamic finance industry gains traction on the consumer and the capital markets side, it’s all about positioning. CIMB Niaga Syariah is set up for growth and so is Indonesia's best Islamic bank, writes Chris Wright.
Islamic Bank awards 2010: best regional bank

19 Apr 2010 Islamic finance, Polls & awards
Although only about one tenth of CIMB Islamic’s income comes from overseas businesses, it’s the positioning and the vision that stand out. It wins Asiamoney's nod as the best regional Islamic bank. Chris Wright reports.
Sarasin unveils ‘historic’ HK branch

18 Mar 2010 Private banking
The Swiss private bank has launched a full-service branch in Hong Kong, its first international branch outside of Switzerland. Its Swiss chief executive brands it a historic moment, demonstrating its commitment to Asia.
HSBC appoints co-head in Islamic finance

26 Feb 2010 Islamic finance, Market move
The bank has named William Ross co-head of Islamic finance in global markets as it strives to increase its footprint in the sector. It has yet to appoint another co-head, but has forecast that Islamic assets could reach US$1 trillion this year.
Julius Baer hires IT head in Singapore

18 Feb 2010 Market move, Private banking
The private bank announces the appointment of Eddy Tai as head of information technology for Asia and the Middle East. It said that the move signified the importance of the city-state as a hub to propel its regional growth.
Dubai’s escape from default escalates sukuk uncertainty

13 Jan 2010 Bonds, Islamic finance
The state’s property developer received a bailout from Abu Dhabi to spare it from defaulting on its debt. But some would like to have seen the default proceed to throw light on investor rights in sukuk issues. Chris Wright reports.