MALTA - EVENTS - Mediterranean Islamic finance institutions honoured in Malta

timesofmalta.com - International Shariah-compliant institutions were honoured at the 2011 Mediterranean Awards for Global Excellence in Islamic finance held in Malta last week.

The awards, part of the programme of the two-day Mediterranean Islamic Finance Conference, aim to encourage organisations which offer genuine Islamic finance, particularly those which make a significant contribution in the region.

The gala event at the Verdala Palace was held under the patronage of President George Abela.

Al Baraka Banking Group won awards for Best Shariah Compliant Private and Venture Capital and for Major Contribution to Islamic Finance. (source)

POLLS - Islamic Finance News Awards - Best Service Providers Poll 2011

Cast your vote today! Recognized as the industry’s leading poll, the 7th Annual Islamic Finance news Best Service Providers Poll prides itself on being the only comprehensive and unbiased guide to the leading service providers within the Islamic finance industry, as voted by the public. A record 1,956 votes were cast for the 2010 Poll – make sure your vote is cast this year. Submit your vote today by clicking on the voting button. The full results will be announced in the 4th January 2012 issue of Islamic Finance news. Conditions: You may only vote once Only votes accompanied by a valid business email address will be accepted You may not vote for yourself or your organization   Closing date for the poll is Wednesday 30th November 2011 By submitting your response, you are entitled to receive a FREE copy of the IFN Special Awards issue (4th January 2012) plus a 2 week access to Islamic Finance news content – www.islamicfinancenews.com If you have any questions or need more information, please contact us directly. Yours sincerely, Andrew Morgan Publisher & Managing Director Islamic Finance news REDmoney Group Andrew.Morgan@REDmoneyGroup.com Tel: +60 3 2162 7801 Fax: +60 3 2162 7820

CATEGORIES Most Outstanding Standard Setting Body Best Islamic Consultancy Firm Best Islamic Wealth Manager Provider Best Islamic Takaful Provider Best re-Takaful Provider Best Islamic Index Provider Best Interbroker for Islamic transactions Best Islamic Ratings Agency Best Islamic Research Firm Best Shariah Advisory Firm Best Islamic Technology Provider

UK - Gatehouse CEO first to receive UK Royal award for civic excellence in Islamic finance

Richard Thomas, Chief Executive Officer of Gatehouse Bank, is to be inducted to the Order of the British Empire, an honour bestowed by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

Thomas will be inducted into the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire as an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) by Her Majesty the Queen Elizabeth the Second, at a special ceremony at Buckingham Palace.  

The OBE has been handed by Her Majesty on behalf of the UK Government, in recognition for civic excellence and the contribution that Thomas has made to the UK Islamic financial services industry.

Jamie Bowden, the UK Ambassador to Bahrain, who has worked with Thomas on many global Islamic finance promotional initiatives, said, “I am delighted that Richard Thomas’s work in support of the UK Islamic Financial Services industry has been recognised. In the many years that I have worked with him he has tirelessly furthered the UK’s and the industry’s interests. His efforts have strengthened the links between the British and Bahraini Islamic financial sectors.(source)

UK - Islamic Foundation wins IDB prize

JEDDAH: The Islamic Development Bank (IDB) announced Wednesday that the Islamic Foundation, UK, is declared the winner of the IDB Prize in Islamic Economics for the year 2011 in recognition of its substantial contribution to the promotion of Islamic economics. The Prize will be awarded to the winner during the 36th IDB BOG Annual Meeting in Jeddah, to be held on June 29-30. (full story)

AWARDS - IFN - Poll 2010 - Deal of the Year

European Deal of the Year

International Innovative Technologies US$9.5million Sukuk Musharakah

The financial crises took its toll on European deals in 2010. A revived Gatehouse Bank engaged in several real estate acquisitions and The Bank of London and the Middle East showed strength.  Curiously, the smallest deal is awarded the best deal. Millenium Private Equity structured a GBP6.1 million Sukuk on behalf of International Innovative Technologies. The Musharakah transaction is notable for creating a model that Millenium and other private equity firms may apply to UK and international acquisitions as they develop capital structures which allow efficiency and exits. Although the deal is small, the significance should be seen in its future application.

Turkey Deal of the Year

Kuveyt Turk Participation Bank US$100 million

Albaraka Turk Katilim Bankasi came to the market with a syndicated facility drawn in US dollars and Euros and Asya Katilim Bankasi successfully syndicated US$225 million. Indeed, the Turkish participation banks were very active in 2010. Kuveyt Turk Participation Bank’s Sukuk deal tops the two larger deals as it sets the framework for future issuances both from Turkey and the participation banking sector.

Sukuk Deal of the Year

Kuveyt Turk Katilim Bankasi winner

There is no denial that the Government of Ras Al Khaimah, 1Malaysia, the two Qatar Islamic Bank linked deals, the Cagamas deals, Islamic Development Bank, and Danga Capital (Khazanah) were among the best Sukuk deals in a good year.  But, the Kuveyt Turk Katilim Benkasi deal (See Deal of the Year) stands out clearly as it opens a new market for the global investor, and creates a model for future issuances from Turkey.

Full results are hereunder :

AWARDS - IFN Islamic Finance News - Poll 2010 - Best Islamic Bank

Best Islamic Bank for the UK is : Bank of London and the Middle East.

Best Islamic Bank for France is : BNP Paribas.


Best Islamic Trustee : Deutsche Bank.

Hereunder are the full results :

AWARDS - LUXEMBOURG - UK - Winners of the Islamic Business & Finance 2010 Awards Revealed

(Dubai - 21 December, 2010) - Close to 300 distinguished regional and global industry professionals from around the world joined together in honouring the outstanding performance of leading Islamic financial institutions and individuals at the prestigious Annual Islamic Business & Finance Awards, where a total of 30 accolades were granted.

Held at Emirates Towers hotel in Dubai, the Awards ceremony celebrated achievement among top Islamic bankers, financiers and Islamic banking and finance institutions. Once again this year, Gulf-based institutions and individuals were able to compete head-to-head with their international peers, taking home more two thirds of the awards. Other winners were drawn from the United Kingdom, USA, Malaysia, Luxembourg, and Sudan.

The Islamic Business & Finance Awards running for its fifth year, is considered to be one of the most prominent events in the finance industry throughout the Gulf region

Best Banca Takaful Operator : FWU Group Luxembourg

Best Law Firm : King and Spalding UK

More HERE.

AWARDS - IFN "Deal of the Year" Awards 2010 - voting deadline Dec 17, 2010

Islamic Finance news, the global Islamic finance news provider, is categorically recognized as the industry's leading publication and authority on the Islamic banking and finance industry. With a world-wide readership in excess of 20,500 industry practitioners and regulators, the Islamic Finance news Deals of the Year Awards offer its winners a truly global audience and a phenomenal vehicle in which to reach ones clients, potential clients and peers.