Key drivers for bank's earnings and sustainability in 2012 to be discussed at Banking Innovation Summit in Dubai

Setting the scene for the two day agenda, Dr Marwan Barakat, Group Chief Economist from Bank Audi sal - Audi Saradar Group will share insight on what's in store for Middle East banking Industry for 2012 and beyond.

According to Dr. Marwan, "The region's banking sector has been resilient to the various recent crisis episodes, from the global financial turmoil to this year's global fiscal driven distress, passing through the ongoing Arab regional political unrest."

He added, "But the structural profitability of the regional banking industry has been adversely impacted, reflecting more conservative structuring of balance sheets, greater regulatory oversights and a historical low interest rate environment. Looking ahead, loan growth, credit quality and interest spread improvement are the key drivers of banks' earnings. The region's banks are likewise apt to benefit from solid regional growth fundamentals related to growing demographics, sub-par banking penetration, low leverage and strong liquidity at large."

The summit also features a key discussion on the growing trends and innovation in the Islamic finance industry featuring experts from Sharjah Islamic Bank and Dubai Islamic Bank.

Speaking about the Islamic finance thought leaders panel, Ahmed Saad Ibrahim, Deputy CEO, Sharjah Islamic Bank, explained, "Islamic Banks and Islamic products market has witnessed enormous development during the last few years and proven to be a strong model of finance during the current financial crises and still Islamic Banks have a great room to grow in the future. I believe new players will be joining the Islamic finance industry either through establishment of new banks/windows or converting existing conventional institutions as well as increasing the market share of the existing product such as the Sukuk market."

The first day agenda also features technology experts from KPMG, IBM, Dubai bank, Al Hilal bank, Qatar Islamic Bank amongst others discussing how technology and innovation go hand in hand and its role from being a driver to an enabler of innovation.

Some of the key issues to be discussed during the session include: bank 2.0 new era of engagement banking, intelligent e-statements, datamining, IT investments and use of social media and multi channel propositions for delivering better customer experience.

Day two focuses on the experience and product and people management pillars of banking innovation with experts from Citibank, Ajman Bank, Gulf International bank, National bank of Oman, Abu Dhabi Commercial bank, Bank Muscat, discussing what's driving innovation in the banking world and improving the overall customer experience.

The main sponsors for the summit include: Intertech, Backbase, Ubanquity, IBM, KPMG, Unitech, Exodus and Thinksoft Global.