The Banking Executive Magazine - January 2026 Issue

Qatari Bank Lesha Qatari Bank Lesha GETS SAUDI INVESTMENT BANKING LICENCE Lesha Capital, the Saudi-based sub- sidiary of leading Qatari shari’a-com- pliant investment bank Lesha, has announced that it has obtained the licence from the kingdom's Capital Market Authority to fully operate as a regulated investment firm. The CMA's "Managing Investments and Operating Funds" licence en- ables Lesha Capital to conduct a comprehensive range of investment activities within the scope of its ap- proved license to position the firm as a partner, for institutional investors, high-net-worth individuals, and cor- porate stakeholders. This achievement reflects the com- pany’s strong governance frame- works, compliance standards, and operational capabilities aligned with Saudi Arabia’s evolving investment ecosystem, said a statement from Lesha Capital. With this CMA approval, Lesha Cap- ital will operate as a regulated invest- ment firm in the kingdom, marking a major milestone in the Group’s re- gional expansion strategy and under- scoring its long-term commitment to the Kingdom’s rapidly growing finan- cial sector. As a wholly owned subsidiary of Lesha Bank, a leading Shari’a-com- pliant investment bank in Qatar and a publicly listed entity on the Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE), Lesha Capital serves as the Group’s strategic plat- form for strengthening its investment presence in Saudi Arabia—the re- gion’s largest and fastest-growing fi- nancial market. The milestone supports the Group’s ambition to contribute meaningfully to Saudi Arabia’s asset management and capital markets landscape. Mohammed Yousef Al Mana, Chair- man of Lesha Capital, said: “The Saudi market is central to our long- term strategy. Our priority is to intro- duce specialized expertise and tai- lored investment offerings that support the evolving needs of in- vestors across the Kingdom.” With the licence secured, Lesha Cap- ital will begin expanding its invest- ment offerings in Saudi Arabia, focusing on Asset Management and Advisory while strengthening en- gagement with institutional investors, family offices, regulators, and policy- makers across the Kingdom. Mohammed Ismail Al Emadi, Board Member of Lesha Capital and Group CEO of Lesha Bank, said: "Securing the “Managing Investments and Op- erating Funds License” is a significant achievement for our Group. It re- flects our commitment to strong gov- ernance and our confidence in the opportunities within the Saudi mar- ket. the BANKING EXECUTIVE 24 ISSUE 205 JANUARY 2026