Emirates NBD, the largest banking group in the Middle East in terms of assets has been awarded the "Deal of the Year Award" for the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and for the Middle East by The Banker Magazine in association with the Financial Times Group. The award ceremony took place during The Middle East Financial Services Summit in Manama, Bahrain.

Commenting on the award, Mr. Suleiman Al Mazroui, General Manager Marketing and Corporate Communications, Emirates NBD, said: "We are honoured to receive the prestigious 'Deal of the Year' Awards. These awards are a recognition of Emirates NBD's strategic vision, our execution expertise and management depth. The merger transaction of Emirates NBD is unique in the region and we have set challenging time lines to complete our integration process. We are confident that our success will play a major role in setting new standards for the local and regional banking and finance industry. "

The merger of Emirates Bank and National Bank of Dubai, which was officially completed on October the 16th 2007 when the shares of Emirates NBD were listed on Dubai Financial Market (DFM), won these two prestigious awards. The criteria for selecting the "Deal of the Year" included the complexity of the deal, innovation, speed of execution and pricing performance.

In its efforts to ensure adoption of best international practices and the successful completion of the EBI and NBD merger transaction, Emirates NBD has appointed Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley and Lehman Brothers as financial advisors to the merger.

"We would like to take this opportunity to thank our financial consultants, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, Lehman Brothers and all those who have been instrumental in the successful completion of the complicated and unique merger transaction", Al Mazroui added. 

Following last year's "Deal of the Year award ceremony", companies from more than 85 countries took part in this year's "Deals of the Year" award selection process, which was the most competitive to date with a record number of 700 entries being submitted.

From left to right: Mr. Stephen Timewell, Editor In Chief, The Banker Magazine
Mr. David Law, Chairman of Investment Banking for MENA Region, Morgan Stanley .
Mr. Sulaiman Al-Mazroui – General Manager Marketing &
Corporate Communications, Emirates NBD

From left to right: Mr. Bertrand Valet, Managing Director, MENA Region, Morgan Stanley.
Mr. Stephen Timewell, Editor In Chief, The Banker Magazine.
Mr. Sulaiman Al-Mazroui – General Manager Marketing &
Corporate Communications, Emirates NBD.

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Reported by: Corporate Communications
Reported on: 08.05.2008