Al Kawthar Leasing Company opts for ICS Banks system
The ICS Banks Finance Leasing Solution is provided by regional banking tech vendor ICSFS.
Middle East
UAE’s National Bonds taps Azentio for digital Islamic banking solution
Azentio says its iMAL platform will enable National Bonds to roll out Islamic products and services faster.
Mobility fintech Moove lands $30m to fuel UAE expansion
Moove intends to use the funding to scale to 2,000 EVs in the UAE over the coming year.
Saudi financial super-app Tweeq lands central bank e-money licence
Tweeq leverages Paymentology’s Banking.Live platform and hopes to launch its app soon.
Israel’s Shield bags $20m in Series B funding
Shield plans to boost its growth in existing markets and expand into new ones, including the US.
Saudi fintech platform Tameed picks Moneythor for loyalty features
With Moneythor’s solution, Tameed aims to enhance its purchase order financing offering with a loyalty programme.
Banque Saudi Fransi digital head Grant Niven departs
Niven was responsible for developing and executing the bank’s company-wide “digital vision”.
UAE investment fintech Baraka lands $20m Series A
The start-up offers investors access to more than 6,000 US stocks and ETFs.
Dubai-based fintech Leap aims to improve youth financial literacy
The Dubai-based start-up wants to improve youth financial literacy, targeting the under-18s.
Invest Bank in major tech overhaul with Temenos and NdcTech
Invest Bank is one of the first in the UAE to adopt a full SaaS model for digital and core banking systems.
BML Istisharat signs new core banking tech clients in Iraq and UAE
Two banks in Iraq and one in the UAE are implementing BML Istisharat’s ICBS core banking system.
Sohar International’s chief transformation officer Ewan MacLeod resigns
MacLeod joined the bank in February 2020 following a three-year stint at Nordea.
DFSA fines Bank of Singapore $1.1m citing inadequate AML controls
The regulatory authority also says that the bank acted outside the scope of its DFSA licence.
UAE’s Wio Bank goes live on Mambu’s cloud banking platform
The challenger says it chose Mambu’s API-led cloud platform to achieve a “faster” time to market.
Lendtech Ezra appoints Erwan Gelebart as new CEO
Gelebart has spent the past 14 years working for digital financial services firms across Africa and Asia.
Saudi Central Bank debuts new open banking framework
The framework includes legislation, regulatory guidelines and tech standards based on international best practices.
Dubai’s Pyypl lands $20m Series B as it eyes regional expansion
The round saw participation from new international investors and 10 existing investors.
Fintech Galaxy lands TPP licence from Central Bank of Bahrain
The licence allows the firm to integrate its FINX platform with multiple bank APIs.
DFSA introduces new “crypto token regime” to boost digital asset regulation
The DFSA says it is a “progressive regulator” that recognises the growing interest in crypto.
Capital Bank of Jordan launches new mobile banking app powered by Codebase
The bank is aiming to enhance customer engagement and acquisition with the Digibanc-powered app.
MFS Africa implements ThetaRay’s solution to detect financial crimes
ThetaRay says its Sonar solution helps to “effectively identify truly suspicious cases”.
MarketFinance nets £30m credit facility from Israeli investment group Viola
Viola had previously invested £75 million in the company to support its entry into the business loans segment.
UAE fintech start-up Mamo receives regulatory approval
Mamo can now provide money services and expand operations without user restrictions.
New fintech start-up Five FS launches in the UAE and KSA markets
The start-up has officially launched in the UAE and Saudi Arabian markets.
Dubai-based fintech YAP in talks to raise further $20m
If completed, the new funds will take the firm’s total Series A raise to $61 million.
Dubai’s Fintech Surge set to accelerate MENA region’s rapid fintech growth
Fintech Surge will host top innovators across digital banking, paytech, insurtech, regtech and much more.
Arab Jordan Investment Bank taps Codebase for digital onboarding tech
The bank will deploy Codebase’s Digibanc platform.
UAE’s Fintech Galaxy announces new COO and CFO hires
Former Salt Edge CEO and co-founder Dmitrii Barbasura joins as COO while Iaroslav Babenco joins as CFO.
Israeli embedded finance start-up Noble emerges from stealth with $18m
Noble plans on using the new funding to hire new team members and aid product development.
Middle East and Africa fintech funding round-up: Julaya, erad, SecondSTAX and Exits.me
A round-up of the recent funding endeavours of fintech companies across the Middle East and Africa.
New family banking app Verity launches in MENA region
Verity aims to help children develop their personal finance skills.
New challenger Wio Bank launches in the UAE
It will provide financial solutions via digital banking apps, embedded finance and as Banking-as-a-Service.
P2P lender liwwa raises $18.5m in equity and debt
liwwa operates a marketplace for SME loans where investors can purchase loan receivables.
UAE’s Ajman Bank to launch Mastercard ‘touch’ card for visually impaired
The card was co-designed by Idemia, an identity technology solutions provider in the physical and digital space.
ICYMI fintech funding round-up: Banco and Stake
Our weekly fintech round-up for you to get the latest funding news from around the world.
Qatar Central Bank issues first digital payment licence
The central bank says the step will lead to the development of the fintech sector and enhance financial inclusion.
UAE start-up Huspy acquires Just Mortgages and Finance Lab
The founders and employees of both companies will be joining Huspy.
BCFC selects Codebase Technologies & Atyaf eSolutions for digital upgrade
BCFC hopes to enhance the infrastructure of its mobile and web customer channels.
Saudi BNPL firm Tamara raises $100m Series B
The latest raise brings the fintech’s total funding to date to $216 million in equity and debt.
Al-Ataa Islamic Bank picks ICS Banks core banking system
The start-up bank in Iraq has opted for core banking tech supplier ICS Financial Systems (ICSFS).
