Sharia Board endorses Al Hilal Islamic Banking Services

Notes and media contacts

For more information on Al Hilal Islamic Banking products and services, customers may visit any of AUB's dedicated Al Hilal Islamic banking branches at Arad, +973 17 673107 or Sanad, +973 17 625979 or call AUB's Contact Center on +973 17 221999.

For further information, please contact:
Maya Ribeiro, Action Bahrain
TEL: +97336520020

About Ahli United Bank

Ahli United Bank B.S.C. is an offshore and full commercial banking institution based in Bahrain providing retail, commercial and investment banking business, global fund management and private banking services. It is geared towards growth through the development of a larger client base in the Gulf states and through its close partnerships with customers staff and product providers. The evolution of future mergers and acquisitions in the Gulf region remains central to the Bank's expansion strategy. AUB reported a consolidated net profit of $225.9m for the nine month period ended 30 September 2007, an increase of 37.5% compared to the same period last year. As of 30 September 2007, total assets for AUB stood at $21.9bn (31 Dec 2006 - $20.8bn)

AUB has an effective holding of 75% share in the Bank of Kuwait and the Middle East (BKME). BKME has a 10% market share in Kuwait. BKME achieved a net profit of KD 38.9 million for the nine month period ended 30 September 2007, an increase of 25.1% compared to the same period last year.

AUB also has a 40 percent share in Ahli Bank Q.S.C. a commercial bank in Qatar with an enhanced capital base following the 100 percent participation by AUB in its capital increase. Ahli Bank Q.S.C. achieved a 37.0% percent higher net profit of QR220.3m for the nine-month period ended 30 September 2007 compared to the same period last year. AUB has a 10-year management contract with Ahli Bank Q.S.C.

In 2005, Ahli United Bank acquired a 49% share in the Commercial Bank of Iraq, a private commercial banking institution established in Iraq in 1992. Since its inception, Commercial Bank of Iraq has performed consistently well in different business segments and its total assets as at 31 December 2006 stood at IQD154bn ( 31 December 2005: IQD156bn).

Ahli United Bank, its associate banks and other Gulf financial institutions together acquired an 89.3% in Ahli United Bank (Egypt) S.A.E. (AUBE), [formerly Delta International Bank S.A.E.(DIB)], in August 2006. Established in 1978, AUBE is a full-fledged commercial bank offering retail banking, corporate banking, private banking, project and trade finance and treasury services. Apart from its headquarters in Cairo, the Bank has 17 branches across Egypt.

In June 2007, AUB signed a Memorandum of Understanding to acquire a 35% stake in Alliance Housing Bank, Oman. The agreement is awaiting necessary regulatory and government approvals.

This year, AUB was named: "Best Bank in the Middle East - 2007" by Euromoney, Global Finance and "Bank of the Year 2007 - Bahrain" by The Banker. In 2006, AUB was awarded: "Global Bank of the Year 2006 - Middle East" (by The Banker), "Best Bank 2006 - Middle East and Africa" (by Global Finance); "Best Foreign Exchange Bank - Middle East 2006" (Global Finance); "Best Bank and Bank of the Year 2006 - Bahrain" (Global Finance, Euromoney and The Banker).

AUB's ordinary shares are listed on Bahrain Stock Exchange (BSE) (since August 2000) and Kuwait Stock Exchange (KSE) (since 26 June 2006) and are actively traded. AUB's Class A preference shares are also listed at the BSE since 20 March 2005.

S&P have accorded AUB with a long term rating of A- with a stable outlook in November 2007. AUB foreign currency long term rating has been upgraded to A with a stable outlook and short-term rating of A2 by Capital Intelligence in June 2007. Fitch Ratings has reaffirmed its long-term rating of A- with a stable outlook for AUB in August 2007.