Clifford Chance

M&A for UAE banks and financial institutions - Regulatory update

18 June 2020

There has been significant M&A activity in the financial institutions industry across the Middle East in recent years. The COVID-19 crisis will prompt further consolidation, acquisitions and restructurings and recent regulatory changes (outlined in this paper) could facilitate such activity in the UAE.

Additional clarity from the Central Bank of the UAE in relation to approval requirements and process will be welcomed by the industry.

The regulations now envisage prescriptive and often detailed requirements, which will necessitate even greater planning and regulatory engagement as well as a well thought through (and properly documented) impact analysis early on.

In our latest client briefing, Mohammed Al-Shukairy and Jack Hardman examine recently issued regulations that will govern M&A in the bank and financial institutions sector in the UAE.

These will need to be carefully considered and applied in the context of further consolidation, acquisitions and restructurings in the sector; a second wave of such activity in the sector is anticipated, partly in response to the challenges arising from the COVID-19 crisis.

Please reach out to Mohammed or Jack if you would like to discuss any aspects of the briefing.

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