GCC

Abu Dhabi’s Union National Bank (UNB) has increased its latest loan to $750m and closed the deal just in time to achieve a tight margin, according to one banker on the deal.

Qatari real estate firm Ezdan has signed a $500m Islamic finance loan with Mashreqbank acting as sole lead.

Société Générale has appointed Antoine Toussaint as chief country officer and CEO of its Saudi Arabia subsidiary.

Abu Dhabi Water & Electricity Authority (Adwea) is planning an international dollar project bond, which could be the first such deal from CEEMEA since 2013.

The Government of the Sultanate of Oman, has mandated banks for its Omani rial sukuk, which is expected to be a precursor to an international sukuk.

Bahrain is planning a dual tranche international bond deal, according to bankers that have seen the Kingdom’s request for proposals (RFP).

United Arab Bank has completed and signed a $125m three year loan with a syndicate of six banks.

Abu Dhabi Commerical Bank — an A-rated CEEMEA stalwart — pulled a dollar bond mid-way through execution on Monday afternoon, leaving bankers and buyers questioning whether Middle East liquidity could be much weaker than they had thought.

Rival debt bankers like to pounce on pulled deals like coyotes on wounded possums. But emerging market syndicate officials would do well to look beyond the opportunity for point scoring to what Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank’s abortive trade really indicates about Middle East liquidity.

National Bank of Abu Dhabi has raised $75m with a trio of private floating rate medium term notes, printing at its shortest maturity yet in the format, and more in such maturities could follow from banks in the region.

Abi Dhabi Commercial Bank has released initial price thoughts equating to a 20bp new issue premium for its bond deal, according to a lead.

The Loan Ranger's trusty companion Silver travelled to the Middle East to learn about the ways of Arabian stallions and the local market, but returned with tales of strange greeting rituals.