Bank ABC Celebrates Launch of First Branch in the UAE

Press release

Published September 18th, 2017 - 04:53 GMT

Bank ABC's network already spans 18 countries in five continents. (Pictured here: Allan Sword, Senior Executive Officer)

Bahrain-based Bank ABC, the leading international banking Group in the MENA region, announced today a celebration ceremony for the official launch of its branch in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) in Dubai. The Bank is organising a reception for its clients and counterparties on 17 September 2017.

The new Bank ABC Branch, which is licenced by the Dubai Financial Services Authority, will advise, arrange and market wholesale banking and treasury products and services on behalf of the Bank ABC Group.

Bank ABC’s decision to open a branch in the UAE comes as part of its strategy to expand its international network, which already spans 18 countries in five continents, and to grow and develop its franchise in the region.

“Opening the DIFC Branch is an important milestone for Bank ABC. It deepens our long time commitment to our customers in the UAE and the region. Dubai is a major hub for trade and investment. Our physical presence in the UAE will put us in even a closer position to serve our clients,” said Dr. Khaled Kawan, Group Chief Executive Officer of Bank ABC.

The branch is headed by Allan Sword, Senior Executive Officer, who has the overall responsibility of leading Bank ABC’s UAE strategy across all wholesale banking and treasury and financial markets products, working closely with the other product lines and geography teams in the Bank ABC Group. He has previously worked in the DIFC and Dubai with leading international financial institutions, in addition to liaising with the ABC Group in various responsibilities.

“The UAE will play an increasingly important role in the Group strategy as it represents an important regional hub for inbound and outbound MENA trade and investment flows. As one of the first Bahrain-based banks to be present in DIFC, Bank ABC’s stakeholders have responded positively to the development,” said Mr. Sword.

The Bank ABC Group (Arab Banking Corporation) is a leading international wholesale bank providing innovative wholesale financial products and services that include corporate banking, trade finance, project and structured finance, debt capital markets, syndications, treasury products and Islamic banking. It also provides retail banking services through its network of retail banks in Jordan, Egypt, Tunisia and Algeria.

Background Information

Bank ABC

Bank ABC (incorporated as Arab Banking Corporation B.S.C) is an international bank headquartered in Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain. Our network spreads across five continents, covering countries in the Middle East, North Africa, Europe, the Americas and Asia.

Bank ABC, founded in 1980, is listed on the Bahrain Bourse and our major shareholders are the Central Bank of Libya and Kuwait Investment Authority.

Bank ABC is a leading provider of Trade Finance, Treasury, Project & Structured Finance, Syndications, Corporate & Institutional Banking as well as Islamic Banking services. We are also expanding our retail banking network in the MENA region.

Bank ABC is licensed as a conventional wholesale bank by the Central Bank of Bahrain.