Banking Shakeup: Citi, StanChart Exit Dubai Offices, HSBC Retreats from Qatar
Citigroup and Standard Chartered have begun evacuating their Dubai offices, telling staff to work from home instead, sources said on Wednesday (Mar 11), as banks step up precautions after Iran threatened Gulf banking interests linked to the US and Israel.
Adil Aziz
CCP Approves FWBL Takeover by Abu Dhabi’s Eve Holdings
The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) approved the proposed acquisition of First Women Bank Limited (FWBL) by Abu Dhabi-based Eve Holdings RSC Limited, following a Phase-I competition assessment conducted under the Competition Act, 2010.
Mehfooz
Ramazan Schedule: SBP Sets New Banking and Office Timings
During the ensuing month of Ramazan-ul-Mubarak 1447 A.H., the business hours for public dealing in banks has been set from 09:00 am to 2:00 pm without break on all working days except of Friday with office hours shortened to 12:30 pm.
Editor
Mobilink Bank posts record PKR 3.62B PBT, reinforcing its position as Pakistan’s largest microfinance bank
Pakistan’s leading digital microfinance bank, Mobilink Bank has announced its financial results for the year ended December 31, 2025. The bank delivered strong growth across key financial and operational indicators while reinforcing its leadership position in Pakistan’s microfinance banking sector.
Bank Alfalah posted Rs 28.34 Billion PAT for 2025
The Board of Directors of Bank Alfalah Limited (BAFL), in its meeting held on February 13, 2026, approved the Bank’s financial results for the year ended December 31, 2025.
IFC & Habib Metro Launch Risk-Sharing Facility to Empower SMEs
International Finance Corporation (IFC) announced a new risk-sharing facility with Habib Metropolitan Bank Limited (HABIBMETRO) to expand access to finance for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) across Pakistan, including agricultural SMEs, and address the country’s SME financing gap.
Standard Chartered Empowers Pakistan’s SMEs with Global Growth via Forex Solutions
Standard Chartered Bank hosted a focused client engagement event bringing together leading SME businesses to explore strategic approaches to managing cross-border growth.
State Bank of Pakistan Keeps Interest Rate Unchanged at 10.5%
State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) kept the policy rate unchanged at 10.5 percent owing to rising inflation expectations and widening trade gap and current account deficit.
BankIslami Launches Pakistan’s First Shariah-Compliant Raast QR Payment Gateway
Pakistan’s first digital Islamic banking platform, ‘aik’ by BankIslami, has launched aikPay— Pakistan’s first Shariah-compliant Raast-enabled QR Payment Gateway. Built on the State Bank of Pakistan’s Raast infrastructure, aikPay enables real-time online payments through dynamic QR codes, allowing customers to pay instantly from their bank accounts and enabling merchants to receive payments securely through a smooth checkout experience.
CAT dismisses banks’ appeals, upholds CCP’s Rs.205M penalties in ESA Cartel Case
The CCP had imposed a penalty of PKR 30 million on the PBA and PKR 25 million each on Habib Bank Limited, Allied Bank Limited, MCB Bank Limited, United Bank Limited, Saudi Pak Bank Limited, Atlas Bank Limited, and National Bank Limited.