GIB Capital L.L.C. (“GIB Capital”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Gulf International Bank (GIB), has been awarded “Best Investment Bank – Middle East” for 2013 by the Dubai-based Islamic Business & Finance magazine.

According to the magazine, nominees for the awards were short-listed from a number of top investment banks in the Middle East. Tens of thousands of votes were cast by the readers of the magazine and registered users of its website.

Mr. Abdulla Al Zamil, GIB board member and Chairman of GIB Capital, commented: “We are delighted to have GIB Capital selected for such a prestigious award and would like to thank the business community for their recognition of GIB Capital’s capabilities and achievements. GIB Capital has a longstanding presence in the investment banking industry in the region and has a thorough understanding of the GCC market and its client’s requirements”.

GIB Capital is the investment banking arm of GIB, offering innovative solutions in the fields of financial restructuring, private placements, private sale, IPOs, bond and sukuk issuance, underwriting equity and debt as well as mergers and acquisitions.

Dr. Yahya Alyahya, GIB’s Chief Executive Officer, also commented: “We are committed to further strengthening GIB’s position as a leading provider of investment banking services and preserving the confidence of our clients and shareholders. We look forward to another prosperous and successful year in 2014”.

In 2013, GIB Capital led five major regional investment banking deals including the Kingdom of Bahrain’s US$1.5 billion bond issue, a Saudi Riyal 1 billion sukuk issue by Saudi Binladen, a Saudi Riyal 677 million debt re-profiling and a Saudi Riyal 200 million rights issue for the Middle East Specialised Cables Company (MESC), and advised Saudi Aramco Mobil Refinery Company in raising multicurrency debt financing.

The Islamic Business & Finance magazine’s awards programme, running for its eighth year, is intended to highlight, encourage and reward the exceptional performance and growth of the international Islamic business and finance community. Their awards are a benchmark of excellence in the industry.

Islamic Business & Finance is published by Corporate Publishing International Financial – based in Dubai since 1999 – and offers a comprehensive portfolio of market-leading periodicals, products and services tailor-made for the banking and financial sector.

GIB is a leading bank in the Middle East with its principal focus on the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states. The Bank is owned by the six GCC governments, with the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia holding a majority stake (97.2 per cent). In addition to its main subsidiaries Gulf International Bank (UK) Ltd. and GIB Capital, the Bank has branches in London, New York, Riyadh and Jeddah, in addition to representative offices in Beirut and Abu Dhabi.

GIB Capital is a wholly-owned subsidiary of GIB. With more than 10 years of experience in the investment banking services, GIB through GIB Capital continues to offer a comprehensive range of investment banking products and services which are designed to provide innovative, customised financial and investment solutions for clients. GIB Capital provides a full spectrum of investment banking services including equity placements (initial public offerings and private placements), mergers, disposals and acquisitions, privatisations, debt capital market products and services, strategic debt advisory and asset management.