Event discusses 'Global & Regional Markets Outlook 2019'

KUWAIT: Gulf Bank hosted the second edition of its annual WISE Investment Forum on Monday. Held at the Four Seasons Hotel Kuwait at Burj Alshaya, the theme of this year's forum was 'Global & Regional Markets Outlook 2019', and saw Chief Economist and Chief Investment Officer, Steen Jakobsen, Saxo Bank and Head of Research and Managing Director, Ahmad Shams El Din, EFG Hermes, share their respective insights.


Steen Jakobsen, Chief Economist and Chief Investment Officer, Saxo Bank


The event provided guests an overview of Gulf Bank's WISE Investment product journey, while introducing the bank's new online trading service. Kuwait's first digital and advisory portfolio management service, WISE was created to help customers diversify their investments and invest in international markets in an easy, transparent and cost-efficient way.

The evening began with welcoming note to guests from Gulf Bank, followed by keynote speeches from experts, Steen Jakobsen, Chief Economist and Chief Investment Officer, Saxo Bank and Ahmad Shams El Din, Head of Research and Managing Director, EFG Hermes.

Commenting on the event, Tareq Al-Saleh, Assistant General Manager, Consumer Investments, Gulf Bank, said: "WISE Investments was launched as part of Gulf Bank's commitment to delivering world class products and services to our clients, adding both value and convenience. Moving forward we are delighted to be continuously advancing and adapting our offering, and providing clients with an easy, transparent, and cost-efficient way to safely expand their portfolios and investments in global markets. We would like to thank our clients, and both Steen Jakobsen and Ahmad Shams El Din for their inspiring insights this evening. We look forward to the coming year and helping our clients make the WISE choice, with WISE investments."


Ahmad Shams El Din, Head of Research and Managing Director, EFG Hermes and Dalya Al-Qassem Executive Manager, Consumer Investments

Gulf Bank is one of the leading conventional banks in Kuwait with total assets of KD 5,683 million for year ended 31 December 2017. The Bank provides a broad offering of consumer banking, wholesale banking, treasury, and financial services through its large network of 58 branches and more than 200 ATMs in Kuwait.

The Bank was founded in 1960 and is listed on the Kuwait Stock Exchange (Boursa Kuwait) since 1984.

The Bank is currently ranked 'A' by the four leading international credit rating agencies:

Long Term Rating

Outlook

Moody's

A3

Positive

S&P Global Ratings

A-

Positive

Fitch Ratings

A+

Stable

CI Capital Intelligence

A-

Stable

Gulf Bank is strongly committed to giving back to Kuwait and society through its corporate social responsibility program. The Bank supports numerous events focusing on youth, education, health and fitness, helping the underprivileged, women's empowerment, as well as promoting Kuwait's heritage and culture.