Wins awards for Best Islamic Bank; Best Sukuk Arranger; Best Islamic Retail Bank, Best Premium Bank - UAE and Best Investment Bank

Dubai, UAE; June 2, 2015: Dubai Islamic Bank (DIB), the largest Islamic bank in the UAE, announced today that it has won a record five accolades at the Banker Middle East Industry Awards 2015. A testament to the banks leadership position in the regions financial services sector, DIB was recognised as the Best Islamic Bank; Best Sukuk Arranger; Best Islamic Retail Bank, Best Premium Bank - UAE and Best Investment Bank. Key officials from the bank received the awards at a gala dinner held on May 27 at the Emirates Towers Hotel in Dubai.   

The Banker Middle East Industry Awards recognise the best performing financial institutions in the region across a range of categories. Organised by publisher CPI Financial on an annual basis, the winners are chosen by financial services professionals, the readers of Banker Middle East and the websites registered user base. With thousands of votes cast each year, the BME awards are amongst the most coveted and sought after in the industry.  

For four decades, DIB has been at the heart of the Islamic banking sectors impressive growth and today, we are proud to be recognised for our unparalleled leadership in this space, said Dr. Adnan Chilwan, CEO, DIB. These awards not only reflect the markets belief in our heritage and expertise in this fast growing segment but also acknowledge the banks focus on relentless innovation and commitment to its roots as a Sharia-compliant organisation.

Winning the accolade of the Best Islamic Bank has a special meaning this year as we mark our 40th anniversary whilst also delivering the best ever results in the banks history. Given our vast and growing retail customer base and the massive advancement and modernization witnessed not just in the banks product offerings but also in its service quality vis a vis the SMART BANK platform, the Best Islamic Retail Bank award further reinforces our confidence in our consumer business growth and development strategy.    

Reflective of the banks commitment to this endeavour, DIBs vast offering meets the needs of individuals, corporations and governments alike.

Islamic Capital markets are amongst the fastest growing in the global financial sector, added Dr. Chilwan. DIB is globally recognized as an expert in structuring, arranging and distributing Sukuks not just in the UAE and Middle East but internationally as evidenced by the banks recent successes in Indonesia and Pakistan. Further, our own capital market issuances in 2015 demonstrates the banks appeal to a diverse set of international investors, with both issues being oversubscribed despite challenging global markets.

Earlier this year, DIB was recognised for its retail banking services at the Banker Middle East Product Awards, where it won the accolades for Best Islamic Card and Best GCC Equity Fund. The banks investment banking capabilities were also singled out at the Islamic Finance News (IFN) Deals of the Year Awards 2015, where it won Pakistan Deal of the Year, the Murdarbah Deal of the Year and Ijarah Deal of the Year.

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About Dubai Islamic Bank:
Dubai Islamic Bank (DIB), established in 1975, is the first Islamic bank to have incorporated the principles of Islam in all its practices and is the largest Islamic bank in the UAE. DIB is a public joint stock company, and its shares are listed on the Dubai Financial Market. The bank enjoys a reputation as a leader and innovator in maintaining the quality, flexibility and accessibility of its products and services. The bank currently operates 90 branches in the UAE.

DIB has been proactive in creating partnerships and alliances at both the local and international level. The bank has established DIB Pakistan Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary which has a network of more than 175 branches across 56 major cities in Pakistan. DIB has also started operations in Jordan, with the establishment of Jordan Dubai Islamic Bank, and in 2014, it acquired a 24.9 percent stake in PT Bank Panin Syariah in Indonesia.

Alongside its accomplishments as a commercial organisation, DIB has always recognised its wider role in society. The bank supports the communities in which it operates through the DIB Foundation, a non-profit social, humanitarian and charitable organisation which distributes millions of dirhams to good causes at home and abroad each year.

For its contribution to both the banking industry and the wider community, DIB has earned the respect of its peers around the world. The banks leading position has been reaffirmed by more than 155 local, regional and international accolades that it has won since 2004. DIB has won awards across diversified areas, including retail, corporate and investment banking, as well as CSR and consultancy services. In 2014, DIBs notable recognitions included being named the Best Regional Commercial Bank Middle East at the Islamic Business & Finance Awards , "Best Islamic Bank" and "Best Investment Bank" at the Banker Middle East Industry Awards, "Best Sukuk House" at the EMEA Finance Middle East Banking Awards, "Best Islamic Card" and "Best SME Card" at the Banker Middle East Products Awards as well as being chosen as the "Islamic Bank of the Year -UAE" and "Most Established Bank of the Year - UAE" at 2014 Business Excellence Awards. Dubai Islamic Bank has been also declared the winner of the "Best Islamic Bank, UAE - 2014" by World Finance - Islamic Finance Awards 2014.The bank has been recognised for its expertise in arranging complex deals, winning accolades for Murdarbah Deal of the Year; Ijarah Deal of the Year; and Pakistan Deal of the Year at the Islamic Finance News Deal of the Year Awards 2015.   

For further information, please contact:
Kanishk Mishra / Nadine Mazraani
DABO & CO
Dubai, UAE
Tel: +9714-237-8000
Email: kanishk.m@daboandco.com ; nadine.m@daboandco.com

Press Release 2015