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Banking and Capital Markets.

The preferred choice for banks managing wealth, global deals and structuring financial transactions.

DIFC has firmly established itself as a leading hub for banking and capital markets, attracting a diverse range of international and regional financial institutions. The Centre provides a sophisticated and robust regulatory environment, fostering innovation and growth within the sector, while its strategic location, coupled with world-class infrastructure, makes it an ideal base for financial institutions looking to access markets in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia.

Characterised by its diversity, encompassing retail, corporate, and investment banking, companies operating in the centre benefit from a regulatory framework that adheres to international standards, while ensuring transparency and stability. This framework, overseen by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), provides a secure and reliable environment for financial transactions.

 

DIFC's capital markets are equally dynamic, offering a platform for a wide array of financial instruments, including equities, debt securities, and derivatives. The Nasdaq Dubai exchange, located within DIFC, plays a crucial role in facilitating capital raising and trading activities and has become a prominent venue for the listing of sukuks, reinforcing Dubai's position as a global centre for Islamic finance.

The centre's commitment to innovation is evident in its support for FinTech initiatives that are reshaping the banking and capital markets landscape. DIFC provides a nurturing environment for start-ups and established firms to develop and deploy cutting-edge financial technologies. This focus on innovation ensures that DIFC remains at the forefront of the evolving global financial industry.

 

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  • Corporate Banking
  • Private Banking
  • Investment Banking
  • Brokerage
  • Capital Markets
  • Other Financial Firms

Strong economic and demographic growth in the region is creating opportunities for banks to expand business. DIFC offers the number-one location in the region to access this dynamic environment. Dubai sits at the heart of emerging markets that are demanding a full range of commercial and wholesale banking services.

Expanding wealth, accelerating cross-border trade, growing investment and continued M&A activity reflect this opportunity. State-owned firms, publicly traded corporations and privately held companies are pursuing restructuring as part of this change.

The Centre hosts a growing roster of bank representative offices and branches, as well as new entities. They provide services in areas such as commercial and wholesale banking, trade and export finance, project and infrastructure funding, treasury services, and correspondent banking.

Three easy steps to start setting up your business

Step one.

Submit LOI

The first step is to provide DIFC with a letter of intent (LOI).

Step two.

Obtain DFSA in-principle approval

Secondly, you will need to submit your Regulatory Business Plan (RBP) and application documents to the DFSA, and obtain in-principle approval.

Step three.

Setup

Complete the registration and incorporation process with an ROC (including office setup, visas, bank accounts, etc.).
Once all conditions are fulfilled, DFSA grants a licence, and the entity may start the operations.

Handbooks and documents

  • Financial Checklist - Limited Liability Partnership
  • Registrar of Companies – Table of fees
  • Financial Checklist - Private Company
  • Setting up a Financial Entity Handbook
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