Nasdaq Dubai has welcomed the listing of a US$500 million bond issued by Arab Bank for Investment and Foreign Trade PJSC (Al Masraf), marking the bank’s first entry into the international debt capital markets and underscoring Dubai’s growing stature as a global hub for fixed-income issuances.
The five-year bond was issued under Al Masraf’s US$5 billion Medium Term Note Programme and matures on 29 January 2031. It carries a coupon of 5.113 percent per annum, equivalent to a credit spread of 125 basis points over US Treasuries, and is rated ‘A’ by Fitch.
Investor appetite was strong, with the order book exceeding US$1.3 billion at its peak, representing an oversubscription of 2.6 times. Participation came from a broad mix of regional and international investors, including major fund managers, banks, private banks, pension funds, and insurance companies.
The mandate for the issuance was announced on 16 January, with pricing completed on 22 January following investor meetings across Hong Kong, Singapore, the United Kingdom, and the UAE. The bond is listed on both the London Stock Exchange’s International Securities Market and Nasdaq Dubai.
To commemorate the listing, Al Masraf CEO Fuad Mohamed rang the market-opening bell at Nasdaq Dubai alongside Hamed Ali, CEO of Nasdaq Dubai and Dubai Financial Market, and senior representatives from both institutions.
Mohamed said the strong demand reflects investor confidence in the bank’s strategic direction, strengthened management, and improving financial metrics, noting that the debut aligns with Al Masraf’s Golden Jubilee year and supports its international expansion.
Ali highlighted that the listing demonstrates sustained confidence in high-quality regional issuers and reinforces Dubai’s role in connecting regional borrowers with global capital.
The total outstanding value of debt securities listed on Nasdaq Dubai now exceeds US$147.3 billion.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
