Challenges stack up for the banks

Banks in the UAE have been tardy about consolidation and rationalization, relying on the benefits of continuing high oil prices. Now, though, they face the challenges of money-laundering investigators and impending WTO financial sector liberalization.

       
Dubai: the plentiful supply of high quality new
office space has not created property
loan problems yet

On the surface, prospects for the United Arab Emirates’ financial sector look good. The banks are delivering healthy profits and are well capitalized, the local economy continues to thrive on the back of higher oil prices and the financial system has recovered from the shock of seeing an expatriate Indian businessman flee Sharjah last year with outstanding debts of more than $245 million.

Thanks for your interest in Euromoney!
To unlock this article: