Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09MANAMA354
2009-06-11 13:48:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Manama
Cable title:
BANK DEFAULT CAUSES RIPPLES IN BAHRAINI BANKING
how-toVZCZCXRO6439 PP RUEHDE RUEHDH RUEHDIR DE RUEHMK #0354 1621348 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 111348Z JUN 09 FM AMEMBASSY MANAMA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8732 INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RHBVAKS/COMUSNAVCENT PRIORITY RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L MANAMA 000354
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/11/2019
TAGS: ECON EFIN SA BA
SUBJECT: BANK DEFAULT CAUSES RIPPLES IN BAHRAINI BANKING
SECTOR
REF: DHAHRAN 116
Classified By: CDA Christopher Henzel for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L MANAMA 000354
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/11/2019
TAGS: ECON EFIN SA BA
SUBJECT: BANK DEFAULT CAUSES RIPPLES IN BAHRAINI BANKING
SECTOR
REF: DHAHRAN 116
Classified By: CDA Christopher Henzel for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) Summary: The financial dispute between the Saad group
controlled by Saudi billionaire Ma'an Al Sanea and the Al
Ghosabi company (reftel) is affecting a number of
Bahrain-based financial institutions. End Summary.
2. (C) The Central Bank of Bahrain was apparently taken by
surprise by the May credit default of TIBC and the suit
against Sanea and Awal Bank. In public statements, Central
Bank Governor Rasheed Al Maraj said that the CBB was trying
to establish how the reported liquidity position of these
banks could have deteriorated so suddenly, insisting that the
problem was isolated to these banks and not indicative of the
sector. Despite these public assurances, the Central Bank
has moved to place internal auditors in Awal, TIBC, and two
other banks.
3. (C) Yasser Al Ajaji, a senior auditor in the CBB's
Financial Stability Unit, told econoff that CBB auditors are
closely monitoring banks that may be affected by the default
of, and dispute between, the Saad Group and the Al Ghosabi &
Brothers Company. According to Ajaji, there is a part of the
Bahraini banking sector that is not well diversified because
it is dominated by a handful of Saudi families that
traditionally move in lockstep on investment decisions.
Together, these families are known to lead or hold major
stakes in Awal Bank, TIBC, Addax, Unicorn Bank, Al Baraka
Group, Bahrain Saudi Bank, Capital Management House, Gulf
Finance House, Takaful, Bahrain Islamic Bank, Arcapita,
GBCORP, and Khaleej Investment Bank. When one of these
groups shows signs of instability, it is often an indicator
that there may be significant losses on the books of the
others. Accordingly, Ajaji said that the CBB has placed
auditors at the Bahrain Saudi Bank and Capital Management
House, and is closely monitoring Addax Bank, Unicorn Bank, Al
Baraka Group, and Gulf Finance House. (Note: Although the
CBB has not frozen the accounts of Sanae, Khaleej Investment
Bank has reportedly moved independently to freeze his
accounts and lines of credit.)
********************************************* ********
Visit Embassy Manama's Classified Website:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/manama/
********************************************* ********
HENZEL
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/11/2019
TAGS: ECON EFIN SA BA
SUBJECT: BANK DEFAULT CAUSES RIPPLES IN BAHRAINI BANKING
SECTOR
REF: DHAHRAN 116
Classified By: CDA Christopher Henzel for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) Summary: The financial dispute between the Saad group
controlled by Saudi billionaire Ma'an Al Sanea and the Al
Ghosabi company (reftel) is affecting a number of
Bahrain-based financial institutions. End Summary.
2. (C) The Central Bank of Bahrain was apparently taken by
surprise by the May credit default of TIBC and the suit
against Sanea and Awal Bank. In public statements, Central
Bank Governor Rasheed Al Maraj said that the CBB was trying
to establish how the reported liquidity position of these
banks could have deteriorated so suddenly, insisting that the
problem was isolated to these banks and not indicative of the
sector. Despite these public assurances, the Central Bank
has moved to place internal auditors in Awal, TIBC, and two
other banks.
3. (C) Yasser Al Ajaji, a senior auditor in the CBB's
Financial Stability Unit, told econoff that CBB auditors are
closely monitoring banks that may be affected by the default
of, and dispute between, the Saad Group and the Al Ghosabi &
Brothers Company. According to Ajaji, there is a part of the
Bahraini banking sector that is not well diversified because
it is dominated by a handful of Saudi families that
traditionally move in lockstep on investment decisions.
Together, these families are known to lead or hold major
stakes in Awal Bank, TIBC, Addax, Unicorn Bank, Al Baraka
Group, Bahrain Saudi Bank, Capital Management House, Gulf
Finance House, Takaful, Bahrain Islamic Bank, Arcapita,
GBCORP, and Khaleej Investment Bank. When one of these
groups shows signs of instability, it is often an indicator
that there may be significant losses on the books of the
others. Accordingly, Ajaji said that the CBB has placed
auditors at the Bahrain Saudi Bank and Capital Management
House, and is closely monitoring Addax Bank, Unicorn Bank, Al
Baraka Group, and Gulf Finance House. (Note: Although the
CBB has not frozen the accounts of Sanae, Khaleej Investment
Bank has reportedly moved independently to freeze his
accounts and lines of credit.)
********************************************* ********
Visit Embassy Manama's Classified Website:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/manama/
********************************************* ********
HENZEL