Investment Banking

Established in April 1998, OAB's Investment Management Group (IMG) is licensed by the Capital Market Authority and the Central Bank of Oman to carry out Investment Banking activities in the Sultanate of Oman. As a part of the Arab Bank's Global Investment Management Group (GIMG), the IMG draws upon the GIMG's global investment banking expertise and provides a comprehensive range of services related to both, the local and international markets. The GIMG has Regional Investment Management Centers located in Singapore, Zurich, London, Geneva and Egypt.

Services

• Portfolio Management
  Portfolio Management is a key focus area for the IMG. With assets under management in the region of US$ 62 MM, the IMG provides portfolio management services on a discretionary and non-discretionary basis to institutions like Pension Funds, Private Trusts, Corporates and High-networth Individuals.
  
  Portfolios are tailor-made to suit individual needs in terms of investment horizon, risk-return preferences and other parameters. In order to maintain the highest ethical and service standards, the IMG enters into separate agreements with each of its portfolio clients. The agreements specify all relevant aspects including broad portfolio strategy, performance measurement, reporting and incorporate all investor preferences. The IMG offers access to international markets through the funds managed by Arab Bank. The total funds under management are in the region of US$ 1 billion.
  
  
• Issue Management
  The IMG offers issue managernent services to corporates wishing to access the primary markets in Oman. All activities, from advice on pricing and structuring and the preparation of the
  Prospectus, till the listing of the instrument are managed by the IMG in a highly structured, time-efficient manner. The IMG is also active in underwriting and issue collection activities.

Recent IMG mandates

• Project name: Renaissance Hospitality Services
  • Project description and size : Initial Public Offering.
  • Approximate transaction value : US$ 5.82 million
  • Role undertaken by company : Issue Management and Advisory
  • Dates: 2001
  
  
• Project name: A’saffa Poultry Farms
  • Project description and size : IPO Advisory and issue management.
  • Approximate transaction value : US$ 6.49 million of rights issue
  • Role undertaken by company : Advisor and Issue Manager
  • Dates: Feb. 2001
  
  
• Project name: Al Ahlia Detergent Co.
  • Project description and size : Private Placement Advisory and Issue Management.
  • Approximate transaction value : US$ 1.56 million of rights issue
  • Role undertaken by company : Advisor and Issue Manager
  • Dates: 2001
  
  
• Project name: Al Jazeera Tube Mills
  • Project description and size : Right Issues.
  • Approximate transaction value : US$ 3.12 million of rights issue
  • Role undertaken by company : Advisor and Issue Manager
  • Dates: 2002
  
  
• Project name: Oman Medical Projects of Muscat Private Hospital.
  • Project description and size : Right Issues.
  • Approximate transaction value : US$ 9.09 million of rights issue
  • Role undertaken by company : Advisor and Issue Manager
  • Dates: 2002
  
  
• Project name: National Pharmaceutical Industry.
  • Project description and size : Rights Issues & Private Placement.
  • Approximate transaction value : US$ 7.79 million of rights issue
  • Role undertaken by company : Advisor
  • Dates: 2002
  
  
• Project name: United Power Company SAOG.
  • Project description and size : Rights Issue Management.
  • Approximate transaction value : US$ 27.84 million
  • Role undertaken by company : Advisory and Issue management Dates: 2000
  
  
• Corporate Advisory Service
  The IMG offers advice to corporates in the areas of valuation, mergers and financial structuring. The IMO also undertakes financial feasibility studies and preparation of Info Memo and assists corporates in raising private finance from institutions and individual investors through placements.
  
  
• Research & Infrastructure
  The IMO has built up a comprehensive database of local corporates and regularly supplements it with company visits and regular updates. The IMG also has access to the latest local and international research. The research team produces a Weekly Update, which includes a review of the Muscat Security Market during the week and important economic data relating to Oman and the GCC.
  
  The IMG hag a separate computer network and is equipped with portfolio management software, in-house software to quickly access local company data and also has access to Arab Bank's proprietary network and Reuters.
  
  
• Custody Service
  The IMG offers Custody Service to individuals and financial institutions in Oman. The assets under custody in Oman totalled US$46 million.