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ISTANBUL, March 24 (Reuters) - Scores of foreign investors are returning to Istanbul and Ankara after years in the cold for a flurry of meetings to understand whether Turkish elections could bring a tidal change for its economy and financial markets. President Tayyip Erdogan's unorthodox policy approach, including aggressive rate cuts in the face of soaring inflation, left the economy and markets heavily state-managed and spurred an exodus of foreign investors over the last five years. Investors seek to understand "who will win, who will hold key positions and what the programme will be." Wall Street bank Citi said it held two days of meetings in Istanbul earlier this month for its bond and equity investors. "It may be a good opportunity to rethink Turkey's currently significant 'underweight' positioning among peer markets," the investor said.

☆ The Fed hiked rates further but Wall Street is already pointing to tighter conditions on the ground
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-23 | by ( Jason Ma | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Between fighting inflation or the bank crisis, the Federal Reserve leaned toward the former. Wednesday's move comes despite the bank crisis, which previously led investors to price in a series of Fed rate cuts starting this summer. Indeed, Wall Street has started pointing to the facts on the ground when it comes to financial conditions. The banks are still tightening credit conditions and … non-bank lenders are as well," he told Bloomberg TV hours before the Fed meeting. Billionaire investor Mark Mobius says he is "very, very skeptical" of investing in bank stocks.

☆ Most Gulf markets rise in early trade; Fed meeting in focus
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-22 | by ( Md Manzer Hussain | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

March 22(Reuters) - Most Stock markets in the Gulf rose in early trade on Wednesday, mirroring gains in global peers ahead of the U.S. Federal Reserve's interest rate decision, as worries on a banking crisis eased. The Qatari Stock index (.QSI) rose 0.7%, with gains in most sectors, led by finance and industry. The region's largest bank Qatar National Bank and Qatar International Islamic Bank gained 0.6% and 1.5% respectively, while conglomerate Industries Qatar climbed 2.9%. In Abu Dhabi, the benchmark stock index (.FTFADGI) was up 0.2%, aided by a 1.7% gain in Alpha Dhabi Holding and 0.9% rise in First Abu Dhabi Bank, the largest lender in the United Arab Emirates. Dubai's benchmark stock index (.DFMGI) fell 0.3% in early trade, weighed down by losses in finance and communication sectors, with Emaar Properties dropping 0.5% and Dubai Commercial Bank losing 2.1%.

☆ Mark Mobius says he is 'very, very skeptical' of investing in bank stocks but keeps his cash in an account in Dubai
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-22 | by ( Filip De Mott | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Mark Mobius generally avoids buying bank stocks, saying their operations are too opaque. Mobius said he has an account in a Dubai bank, and recommended that depositors diversify. "I'm very, very skeptical of banks generally, even the petrobanks, because they're so opaque," he said. Despite his concerns about buying bank stocks, Mobius still feels safe putting his cash in banks, noting that he has an account in Dubai. "If the Fed keeps on raising rates, you're going to have a lot of banks in trouble," Mobius said.

☆ Saudi is far from the last Western bank bagholder
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-21 | by ( George Hay | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

LONDON, March 21 (Reuters Breakingviews) - Saudi Arabia has joined the Western bank bagholder club. The bank only made its play in November, when client money was already flowing out of Credit Suisse. Saudi National Bank bought 307.6 million Credit Suisse shares for 3.82 Swiss francs ($4.11) per share. The UBS offer of 3 billion Swiss francs ($3.23 billion) values Credit Suisse shares at 0.76 francs each, more than 80% lower than the price paid by the Saudi bank. Saudi National Bank's statement added that the potential impact to its capital adequacy ratio is about 35 basis points, with no impact on profitability.

☆ Chuck Schumer vows to fight the latest GOP attempt to block student-loan forgiveness in Congress 'with everything we have'
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-20 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The GAO confirmed to the GOP lawmakers that the debt relief is a rule that can be subject to oversight. The Government Accountability Office confirmed to the GOP lawmakers that it considers Biden's debt relief plan a rule, and "no exception applies." Since Biden announced his debt relief, Republicans have criticized the policy and introduced legislation to block the president from implementing loan forgiveness. "We will continue to fight this cruel Republican attempt to end student debt relief with everything we have." Biden's debt relief plan is currently blocked due to two conservative-backed lawsuits that paused its implementation in November.

☆ Saudi leads most Gulf bourses higher; Egypt down
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-19 | by ( Md Manzer Hussain | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

March 19(Reuters) - Saudi Arabia's stock market closed higher on Sunday to outperform the Gulf region, amid expectations of a lower interest rate hike by the U.S. Federal Reserve in the aftermath of the collapse of two big regional banks. Most Gulf currencies are pegged to the U.S. dollar, while Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar usually mirror U.S. monetary policy changes. Saudi Arabia's benchmark index (.TASI) ended its five sessions losing streak, jumping 1.8%, the highest intraday rise since Dec 13. The index heavyweight Islamic banks Qatar Islamic Bank (QISB.QA) and Masraf Al Rayan (MARK.QA) rose 1.9% and 3.2% respectively. Outside the Gulf, Egypt's blue-chip index (.EGX30) dropped 0.2%, extending its looses into a sixth sessions.

☆ Wall Street ends sharply lower on bank contagion fears
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-17 | by ( Stephen Culp | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

For the week, while the benchmark S&P 500 ended higher than last Friday's close, the Nasdaq and the Dow posted weekly declines. "(The sell-off) is a bit of an overreaction," said Oliver Pursche, senior vice president at Wealthspire Advisors in New York. Those concerns have spread to Europe, as Credit Suisse (CSGN.S) shares stumbled over liquidity worries, prompting policymakers to scramble to reassure markets. First Republic Bank (FRC.N) plunged after the bank announced it was suspending its dividend, reversing Thursday's surge that was sparked by an unprecedented $30 billion rescue package from large financial institutions. First Republic's peers, PacWest Bancorp (PACW.O) and Western Alliance (WAL.N), both ended the session sharply lower.

☆ Credit Suisse sued by U.S. shareholders over finances, controls
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-16 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

U.S. shareholders of Credit Suisse Group AG sued the Swiss bank on Thursday, claiming that the bank defrauded them by concealing problems with its finances. The proposed class action accuses Credit Suisse of deceiving investors by failing to disclose that it was suffering from "significant" customer outflows, and that it had material weaknesses in its internal controls over financial reporting. Credit Suisse declined to comment on the lawsuit, which was filed in federal court in Camden, New Jersey. Turner, the named plaintiff, sued on behalf of holders of Credit Suisse's American depositary shares from March 10, 2022, to March 15, 2023. The case is Turner v Credit Suisse Group AG et al, U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey, No.

March 16 (Reuters) - U.S. shareholders of Credit Suisse Group AG (CSGN.S) sued the Swiss bank on Thursday, claiming that the bank defrauded them by concealing problems with its finances. The proposed class action accuses Credit Suisse of deceiving investors by failing to disclose that it was suffering from "significant" customer outflows, and that it had material weaknesses in its internal controls over financial reporting. Credit Suisse declined to comment on the lawsuit, which was filed in federal court in Camden, New Jersey. Turner, the named plaintiff, sued on behalf of holders of Credit Suisse's American depositary shares from March 10, 2022, to March 15, 2023. The case is Turner v Credit Suisse Group AG et al, U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey, No.

☆ Saudi National Bank says panic over Credit Suisse is 'unwarranted'
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-16 | by ( Jihye Lee | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Credit Suisse 's largest shareholder Saudi National Bank said the market turmoil in shares of the Swiss lender was "unwarranted." "If you look at how the entire banking sector has dropped, unfortunately, a lot of people were just looking for excuses," Saudi National Bank chairman Ammar Al Khudairy told CNBC's Hadley Gamble on Thursday. I believe completely unwarranted, whether it be for Credit Suisse or for the entire market," he said on CNBC's "Capital Connection." His comments come hours after Credit Suisse announced that it is taking "decisive action" to borrow up to 50 billion Swiss francs ($53.68 billion). The lender's shares plunged Wednesday after a report that the Saudi bank said it could not provide Credit Suisse with any further financial assistance.

☆ 'Everything is fine' at Credit Suisse - it's just a bit of panic, says its biggest backer Saudi National Bank
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-16 | by ( Zinya Salfiti | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

'Everything is fine' at Credit Suisse, according to Saudi National Bank chairman Ammar Al Khudairy. Saudi National Bank insisted that raising its stake above 10% is a red line for regulatory reasons. "It's panic, a little bit of panic, I believe completely unwarranted, whether it be for Credit Suisse or for the entire market." But Al Khudairy has insisted that raising Saudi National Bank's stake above 10% is a red line primarily because of regulatory reasons. There has been no discussions whatsoever since October about Credit Suisse needing more capital or requiring assistance," Al Khudairy said.

☆ Credit Suisse's Saudi backer happy with transformation plan, doesn't think extra money needed
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-15 | by ( Rachna Uppal | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

RIYADH, March 15 (Reuters) - Credit Suisse Group's Saudi backer is happy with the transformation plan and doesn't think the Swiss lender will need extra money. "We are happy with the plan, the transformation plan that they have put forward. It is a very strong bank," Al Khudairy said on in an interview with Reuters. And they operate under a strong regulatory regime in Switzerland and in other countries," Al Khudairy said on the sidelines of a conference in Riyadh. SNB's investment objective is not dependent on time, and the Saudi bank will exit when proper value to the shares is acquired, he added.

☆ Swiss National Bank says it will provide Credit Suisse with liquidity if necessary
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-15 | by ( Jesse Pound | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The logo of Swiss bank Credit Suisse is seen at a branch office in Zurich, Switzerland, November 3, 2021. The Swiss National Bank said Wednesday that Credit Suisse is currently well capitalized and that the central bank will provide additional liquidity if necessary, as regulators on both sides of the Atlantic tried to calm fears of a spreading crisis. The statement comes after the Swiss-listed shares of Credit Suisse fell more than 20% on Wednesday. Additionally, the Saudi National Bank — which is Credit Suisse's biggest financial backer — said it could not provide additional capital to the company because of a regulatory issue. The American depositary receipts of Credit Suisse pared their losses after the announcement from regulators to about 14% for the session.

☆ It would be 'very dangerous' for the market to price in the end of Fed tightening: Economist
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-15 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailIt would be 'very dangerous' for the market to price in the end of Fed tightening: EconomistSimon Ballard, chief economist at First Abu Dhabi Bank, discusses the outlook for the U.S. Federal Reserve in the wake of Silicon Valley Bank's collapse.

☆ Credit Suisse's biggest backer says can't put up more cash; share down by a fifth
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-15 | by ( Rachna Uppal | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

RIYADH, March 15 (Reuters) - The head of Credit Suisse Group's largest shareholder, Saudi National Bank (SNB) (1180.SE), said on Wednesday it would not buy more shares in the Swiss bank on regulatory grounds. The Saudi bank holds a 9.88% stake in Credit Suisse, according to Refinitiv data. The Saudi bank would exit when proper value to the shares had been acquired, he added. At 1046 GMT, Credit Suisse shares were trading down 20% at 1.7840 Swiss francs"We are happy with the plan, the transformation plan that they have put forward. Credit Suisse on Tuesday published its annual report for 2022 saying the bank had identified "material weaknesses" in controls over financial reporting and not yet stemmed customer outflows.

☆ Israel FinMin says immediate liquidity risk averted after SVB collapse
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

JERUSALEM, March 14 (Reuters) - Israel's Finance Ministry said on Tuesday that a panel formed to assess the fallout from the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank (SIVB.O) determined that the immediate liquidity risk has been averted. The ministry in a statement cited a decision by U.S. authorities to back accounts - even those uninsured - at the bank, which has been an important lender for Israeli technology companies. "Israel's economy is strong and relatively easy to manage in times of crisis," Smotrich said. Smotrich was in the United States for Sunday's Israel Bonds conference. Reporting by Ari Rabinovitch; Additional reporting by Henriette Chacar; Editing by Steven Scheer and Bill BerkrotOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

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☆ Middle East pivot to Asia is strategic this time
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-14 | by ( Una Galani | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

Xi Jinping has brokered a deal the United States would have found hard to secure, despite its traditional military influence in the Middle East. The Middle East has trained its financial sights on Asia before. At current rates of growth, emerging Asia will become the top trade partner for the Gulf countries by 2028, per Asia House, surpassing advanced economies. As U.S.-China relations continue to sour, the Asian financial centre is looking to the Middle East to find new foreign companies to trade in the territory. Delegations from the two Middle East countries held talks in Beijing between March 6 and 10, the statement added.

☆ Mortgage rates tumble in the wake of bank failures
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-13 | by ( Diana Olick | In Dianaolick | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The average rate on the popular 30-year fixed mortgage dropped to 6.57% on Monday, according to Mortgage News Daily. Mortgage rates loosely follow the yield on the 10-year Treasury , which fell to a one-month low in response to the failures of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank and the ensuing ripple through the nation's banking sector. So if rates continue to drop now, buyers could return once again — but that's a big "if." "This mini banking crisis has to drive a change in consumer behavior in order to have a lasting positive impact on rates. While mortgage rates don't follow the federal funds rate exactly, they are heavily influenced by both its monetary policy and its thinking on the future of inflation.

☆ Most Middle Eastern stock markets in red as bank worries spread
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-12 | by ( Ateeq Shariff | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

March 12 (Reuters) - Most stock markets in the Middle East ended lower on Sunday, with the Egyptian bourse leading the declines, in response to Friday's fall in global shares over fears of contagion following the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) (SIVB.O). The startup-focused lender became the largest bank to fail since the 2008 financial crisis on Friday, roiling global markets and leaving billions of dollars belonging to companies and investors stranded. In Qatar, the index (.QSI) slid 1.6%, as almost all the stocks were in negative territory including Qatar Islamic Bank (QISB.QA), which tumbled 3.9%. Saudi Arabia's benchmark index (.TASI) dropped 0.8%, weighed down by a 1.7% fall in Al Rajhi Bank (1120.SE) and a 0.8% decrease in Retal Urban Development CO (4322.SE). Outside the Gulf, Egypt's blue-chip index (.EGX30) tumbled 3.1%, with 28 of thirty one stocks on the index trading red, including top lender Commercial International Bank (COMI.CA), which was down 1.8%.

☆ Israel stocks slip on SVB failure, government vows aid for tech firms
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-12 | by ( Steven Scheer | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/2] A Tel Aviv Stock Exchange sign is seen at the bourse in Tel Aviv, Israel November 4, 2020. With Israel's trading week running Sunday through Thursday, it was the first opportunity for Tel Aviv investors to react to the failure of Silicon Valley Bank, the largest bank to fail since the 2008 financial crisis. Israel's tech sector is the country's main growth engine and its relationship with the Silicon Valley region is strong. NextVision (NXSN.TA), a maker of micro stabilised cameras, said in a regulatory filing in Tel Aviv that it withdrew on Thursday almost all of the $2.7 million it held in SVB. The Tel Aviv index of the five largest banks (.TELBANK5) was down 2.5% at midday, while the index of eight insurers (.TAINS) fell 4.2%.

☆ Why student-loan borrowers probably don't need to worry about a major lender's lawsuit to end the payment pause
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-12 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Student-loan lender SoFi filed a lawsuit to end the student-loan payment pause. Still, it could place constraints on any additional debt relief Biden would implement down the road. After his relief's implementation was put on hold, Biden extended the student-loan payment pause. SoFi's case would likely complicate an additional payment pause extensionSoFi's complaint targeted the latest extension of the student-loan payment pause and didn't explicitly mention a potential further extension. Still, even as Democratic lawmakers have expressed their support for a continued payment pause until borrowers get relief, Republican lawmakers are not on board — some have introduced legislation to block another payment pause extension.

Venture capital firms on both sides of the Atlantic have been urging their portfolio companies to move money out of embattled lender Silicon Valley Bank, deepening fears of a run on the tech-focused bank. Silicon Valley Bank shares plunged 60% Thursday after disclosing that it needed to shore up its capital with a $2.25 billion equity raise from investors including General Atlantic. Pear VC, an early-stage VC firm based in San Francisco, urged its portfolio network to withdraw funds from SVB on Thursday. The wind-down of crypto-centric Silvergate Bank and pressure on Silicon Valley Bank this week reminded some founders of the 2008 financial crisis, in which banks toppled during the mortgage bust. We are seeing other funds encouraging companies to withdraw their funds from SVB.

☆ Biden wants to 'better support' student-loan borrowers who are returning to repayment. It's further confirmation the payment pause will end this year.
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-09 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

It included increased funding for the Federal Student Aid office to help the return to repayment this year. It comes after SoFi filed a lawsuit to end the payment pause and throw borrowers back into repayment. This budget release also comes in a time of significant uncertainty for student-loan borrowers. "This additional funding is needed to provide better support to student loan borrowers, especially as they return to repayment," the budget said. "The Department will continue to fight to deliver relief to borrowers, provide a smooth path to repayment, and protect borrowers from industry and special interests."

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