Union of Arab Banks: A Comprehensive Guide

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The Union of Arab Banks is a significant financial institution in the Arab world. It was established in 1978 with the aim of promoting economic and financial integration among Arab countries.

The Union has a membership of over 300 banks from 22 Arab countries. Its headquarters is located in Beirut, Lebanon.

The Union's main goal is to facilitate the exchange of ideas and expertise among its member banks. This is achieved through various conferences and seminars held throughout the year.

The Union also provides training and technical assistance to its member banks to enhance their financial capabilities.

About the Union

The Union of Arab Banks (UAB) is a significant organization that plays a key role in promoting financial inclusion and digital banking services in the Arab region. It was established to serve as a vital conduit between international agencies and organizations and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

The UAB has several objectives, including justly defending the interests of its member institutions, orchestrating the coordination and harmonization of legislation and regulations related to Arab banking and financial sectors, and providing professional development and training opportunities to financial and banking institution staff. These objectives aim to enhance trade relations and investments among Arab nations.

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The UAB also focuses on providing arbitration, conciliation, and guidance services through its Center for Arbitration and Conciliation, as well as developing a culture of Social Responsibility among its membership institutions and staff. By achieving these goals, the UAB aims to promote the growth and expansion of banking business and Islamic banking services in the region.

Objectives

The Union's objectives are centered around supporting its member institutions and promoting the growth of the Arab banking and financial sectors. Its primary goal is to defend the interests of its member institutions towards third parties.

To achieve this, the Union provides professional development and training opportunities to financial and banking institution staff and member organizations. This includes human resource management and development training to create effective, efficient, and highly qualified personnel within the banking and financial sector.

The Union also aims to enhance trade relations and investments among Arab nations, providing guidance and advice to banks and presenting and promoting trade and investment opportunities. This is done through the creation, preparation, and authentication of research studies on common development and investment opportunities among Arab nations.

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Here are the Union's objectives in a concise list:

  • Justly defend the interests of its member institutions towards third parties.
  • Orchestrate the coordination and harmonization of legislation and regulations related to Arab banking and financial sectors.
  • Provide professional development and training opportunities to financial and banking institution staff and member organizations.
  • Support efforts to establish an Arab common market and Arab economic integration.
  • Enhance trade relations and investments among Arab nations.
  • Human Resource Management and development training to create effective, efficient, and highly qualified personnel.
  • Provide arbitration, conciliation, and guidance services through the Center for Arbitration and Conciliation.
  • Develop and implement a culture of Social Responsibility among UAB membership institutions and staff.
  • Provide availability to Arab financial and banking laws, rules, policies, and regulations.
  • Development of the “Arabization,” harmonization, and standardization of foreign financial and banking terminology and models.
  • Serve as a vital conduit between international agencies and organizations and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
  • Raise awareness and increase knowledge throughout banking and financial sector to promote the growth and expansion of banking business and Islamic banking services.

Arab Banks Union

The Arab Banks Union, or UAB, is a significant organization in the region. It has been announcing awards to recognize excellence in digital banking.

The UAB awarded The United Bank the "Excellence for Arab Digital Banks 2018" award. This award is a testament to the bank's capabilities in competing and winning regional and local awards in banking technology and services.

The United Bank's Chairman, Ashraf El Kady, attributes their success to the ongoing efforts of their team. He sees this award as a recognition of their high merit and efficiency.

The bank has created a range of technological banking solutions, including wealth management and cash liquidity, finance leasing, and financing SMEs. These solutions are highly flexible and can attract a large segment of society, especially the youth.

The United Bank is one of the top ten banks in providing digital services, including electronic payments. They offer a range of technological services such as internet banking, mobile banking, and digital wallets.

The bank's infrastructure is also noteworthy, with Ahmed Helmy, head of the IT sector, stating that they follow everything new globally to meet the needs of customers in the local market.

Structure and Bodies

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The Union of Arab Banks is a regional banking organization that brings together banks from across the Arab world. It was established in 1951.

With a presence in 18 Arab countries, the Union plays a vital role in promoting economic integration and cooperation among its member banks.

The Union's structure is designed to facilitate collaboration and knowledge-sharing among its member banks. It has a General Assembly, an Executive Committee, and a Secretary General.

The General Assembly is the highest decision-making body of the Union, comprising representatives from all member banks. It meets annually to discuss key issues and set the Union's agenda.

The Executive Committee is responsible for implementing the decisions of the General Assembly and overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Union. It is composed of representatives from the largest member banks.

The Secretary General is the chief executive officer of the Union, responsible for providing strategic guidance and support to the Executive Committee.

Services

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The Union of Arab Banks offers a wide range of services to the Arab banking and financial community. These services have been a cornerstone of the Union's mission since its inception in the mid-seventies.

The Union acts as a reliable organization to provide information, research, and studies about the Arab financial sector. This includes responding to specific requests for information and/or documentation.

Some of the specific services offered by the Union include comparative research and bibliographies, comparative financial and banking legislation, and provision of experts for conferences, seminars, and technical assistance.

The Union also organizes seminars and conferences, publishes research papers, and provides consultations on legal, economic, banking, and financial cases and issues.

Here are the services offered by the Union in a concise list:

  1. Response to specific requests for information and/or documentation
  2. Comparative research and bibliographies
  3. Comparative financial and banking legislation
  4. Provision of experts for conferences, seminars, and technical assistance
  5. Organization of seminars and conferences
  6. Publication of research papers
  7. Consultations on legal, economic, banking, and financial cases and issues

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there an Arab bank in the USA?

Yes, there is an Arab Bank presence in the USA, specifically Arab Bank - New York, which is a member of the Arab Bank Group. It serves as a clearing institution for US dollar transactions.

Angie Ernser

Senior Writer

Angie Ernser is a seasoned writer with a deep interest in financial markets. Her expertise lies in municipal bond investments, where she provides clear and insightful analysis to help readers understand the complexities of municipal bond markets. Ernser's articles are known for their clarity and practical advice, making them a valuable resource for both novice and experienced investors.

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