GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL
* Moody's said the outlook on sovereign creditworthiness for 2019 in the GCC is stable, reflecting expectations that fundamental credit conditions will drive sovereign credit in the next 12 to 18 months. However, the rating agency noted that geopolitical tensions in the region would continue to be a key source of risk and could trigger an increase in military-related fiscal spending.
* Samba Financial Group
* Qatar Islamic Bank QPSC's full-year 2018 net profit attributable to equity holders rose on a yearly basis to 2.76 billion riyals from 2.41 billion riyals.
* Oman-based Bank Sohar SAOG, which now operates as Sohar International, appointed Craig Barrington Bell as its new CFO, effective Jan. 3. Bell previously held the same post at Al Hilal Bank PJSC.
* Dubai Islamic Bank PJSC
* Al Baraka Banking Group BSC issued a clarification following an interview with President and CEO Adnan Ahmed Yousif by The Star discussing the company's plans to expand in the Asian markets of Malaysia, China and Indonesia, saying the group currently has no immediate and concrete expansion plans for Malaysia.
* Bahrain-based Inovest BSC
REST OF MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA
* Bank deposits in Lebanon rose by 3.5% last year, Reuters reported, citing central bank Governor Riad Salamé. The central bank chief also said the regulator aims to keep the exchange rate of the Lebanese pound stable this year.
* Iran's Securities and Exchange Organization is looking to form a new anti-money laundering mechanism to allow authorities to closely monitor trade in the capital market, Financial Tribune wrote.
* Bank Hapoalim BM
* The board of QNB ALAHLI SAE
EAST AND WEST AFRICA
* Uganda's High Court ordered DFCU Bank Ltd.
* Nigeria's Access Bank PLC
* First Bank of Nigeria Ltd.
* Nigeria's main opposition candidate for president Atiku Abubakar has criticized central bank Governor Godwin Emefiele, saying he has not "pursued the right policies" and pledged to replace Emefiele if elected, Bloomberg News reported. Abubakar also outlined plans to eliminate the use of multiple exchange rates and float the local naira currency to attract foreign investors, Reuters noted.
CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN AFRICA
* South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said his party, the African National Congress, does not intend to "tamper or tinker" with the independence of the South African Reserve Bank, Reuters wrote. His comments come after the ANC said in its 2019 election manifesto that the central bank's monetary policy decisions should also take into account job creation and economic growth.
* The South African Reserve Bank, along with other authorities in the country, launched a consultation paper on regulating cryptocurrencies. Comments on the report will be accepted until Feb. 15.
* Two Angolan banks started the year with new leadership; António de Assis de Almeida replaced Carlos José da Silva as chairman of Banco Millennium Atlântico SA and Pedro Cruchinho succeeded Sanjay Bhasin as CEO of Banco Económico SA, Expansão reported.
* The liquidity of Namibian commercial banks plummeted by approximately 50% to 1.1 billion dollars in December 2018 from 2.3 billion dollars just a month earlier, according to The Namibian. The figures have been dropping rapidly a few months prior, mainly due to foreign currency outflows to trade-related payments.
IN OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD
Asia-Pacific: India eases foreign borrowing norms; ASIC to clamp down on car loans
Europe: UK lawmakers vote against Brexit deal; change of heart at Santander
Latin America: Argentina inflation hits 27-year high; Fitch downgrades Costa Rica
North America: BofA, Goldman Sachs Q4'18 earnings out; Fiserv acquiring First Data
Global Insurance: Cat losses $71.5B, Willis says; Markel faces litigation; PG&E liability wipeout
Deza Mones, Henni Abdelghani, Pádraig Belton and Mariana Aldano contributed to this report.
The Daily Dose Middle East and Africa has an editorial deadline of 4 a.m. London time. Some external links may require a subscription. Links are current as of publication time, and we are not responsible if those links are unavailable later.
This S&P Global Market Intelligence news article may contain information about credit ratings issued by S&P Global Ratings. Descriptions in this news article were not prepared by S&P Global Ratings.