UK-based emeafinance magazine has recently named Gulf International Bank (GIB) as the “Best Local Investment Bank in Bahrain.” This announcement came as part of the magazine’s Middle East Banking Awards, which were published in the December/January 2011 edition.
The editorial team of emeafinance indicated they were particularly impressed with GIB’s own funding initiatives and with the prominent advisory mandates it won last year despite the difficult market conditions.
The magazine indicated that GIB successfully raised SAR 3.5 billion (US$933) through an oversubscribed bond issue in Saudi Arabia. The magazine also stressed the leading role of GIB in advising on and arranging initial public offerings (IPOs).
Dr. Yahya Alyahya, GIB’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “We are very pleased with this yet another independent recognition of GIB’s leading role in investment banking and bond issuance. This is the second time in less than three months that GIB receives such an award of recognition.”
Last December, World Finance magazine named GIB as the “Best GCC Bonds Issuer in 2010.” That announcement came as part of the magazine’s GCC Investment & Development Award Programme.
“Through our Saudi-based subsidiary, GIB Capital, GIB played the role of financial advisor, lead manager and co-underwriter for the US$231 million initial public offering by Abdullah A.M. Al-Khodari Sons Company, the largest premium IPO in Saudi Arabia during 2010. GIB Capital also acted as joint book runner and joint lead manager on the SAR 2 billion debut bond issuance by Arab Petroleum Investments Corporation,” explained Dr. Alyahya.
“In Bahrain, GIB acted as regional lead manager for the US$163 million IPO of Aluminium Bahrain (Alba). This involved the sale by Bahrain’s sovereign wealth fund, Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company, of its 11.5 per cent stake in Alba,” he added.
GIB is a leading merchant bank in the Middle East with its principal focus on the GCC states. Its primary shareholder is the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia. The Bank provides client-led, innovative financial products and services to a wide customer base in the region, including investment banking, asset management, project and structured finance and Islamic banking.