Financial Center News #169

From a success story in the Bahamas to our 104th anniversary—it’s been an eventful week in the leading international financial centers.

I’m looking forward to our World Alliance Annual General Meeting in Busan, South Korea, in less than two weeks. It will be fantastic to meet the entire World Alliance family in person again. My team and I are still working out the final details. We look forward to welcoming new members and board members.

The rest of the fall will also be eventful, with many member events on the horizon. I’ll keep you updated in my next newsletters.

With the launch of ADGM Academy's FSRA National Development Programme, a new cohort of Emirati professionals is beginning a development experience designed to support them at different stages of their careers.

The launch marked the beginning of an exciting journey, as participants build on their learning, strengthen their confidence, and continue developing their potential through practical application and real-world experience.

Only a few days to go until Astana Finance Days 2026! 🚀

AFD is where ideas and meaningful dialogue turn into new projects, investment opportunities and long-term partnerships.

📲 Register now at astanafindays.org and download the official AFD app.

See you at #AFD2026! 🇰🇿

Last evening, we had the pleasure of celebrating 35 years of Winterbotham Group in The Bahamas.

Geoffrey Hooper's story is one of entrepreneurship, courage and tenacity. Starting with just $7,000, he built what has grown into a global operation comprising 15 entities across multiple jurisdictions, with The Bahamas becoming home.

We were pleased to celebrate this important milestone with the Winterbotham team because, in many ways, their story reflects what is at the heart of our financial services industry: entrepreneurship, passion and, most importantly, people.

Congratulations to Geoffrey, Ivan Hooper, and team on 35 years in The Bahamas—and on the vision, relationships and commitment that have sustained the journey.

Here's to the next chapter.

🔗 Connecting Capital with Opportunity: TIFC & Enterprise Uzbekistan

🤝 Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade of the Republic of Uzbekistan

Busan Finance Center is proud to co-host an exclusive business forum on the sidelines of the World Alliance of International Financial Centers (WAIFC) AGM in #Busan. Explore high-growth investment opportunities in Central Asia's dynamic market.

✅ Join us on September 16, 2026, from 09:00 to 10:20 at BIFC (52F) for key presentations on the Tashkent International Financial Centre (TIFC) and Enterprise Uzbekistan.

☑️ Experience authentic Uzbekistan gastronomy networking over local refreshments and coffee

RSVP: Register via QR code or link by September 8, 2026. Or contact Euna Kim Alena Dolgova

DIFC brought together businesses, advisors and Corporate Service Providers for a focused session on the evolving Prescribed Company regime and Special Purpose Vehicles.

The discussion explored the latest regulatory enhancements, their practical implications for structuring and compliance, and the expanded role of the updated framework in supporting a wider range of business requirements.

Despite premiums rising from less than ₦800 billion to over ₦2.3 trillion in the last 3–4 years, penetration remains at just 0.4%. This shows that insurance is growing, but not deepening.

For Babatunde F., MD/CEO, AIICO INSURANCE PLC, the challenge is not only growth, but expanding coverage, building trust and showing Nigerians that claims actually get paid. He shares his perspective on what insurers, the industry and regulators can do to deepen insurance penetration in Nigeria.

At EnterpriseNGR, we bring together the leaders shaping Nigeria's Financial and Professional Services sector to examine the challenges, opportunities and pathways to progress.

Watch the full conversation here: https://lnkd.in/eHJia84E

Registrations for the FinanceMalta Conference 2026 (FMC19) are officially open! Early bird rates end 30 September.

Join us 11-12 November at the Hilton, St. Julians for the largest financial services event in Malta. With a fantastic lineup of sponsors and speakers, this is the one to be at.

Secure your spot: https://lnkd.in/eGRwmEgs

🔵 The Authority held an introductory meeting on Salem, a service designed to transport insured persons and their companions from accident sites to their destination within the Sultanate of Oman as part of efforts to enhance motor insurance services and improve the insured customer experience.

𝗛𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗞𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝗣𝗘𝗖: 𝗘𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲

#FSDC Board Member Ms Jennifer Tan delivered a keynote at the “Embracing APEC” Forum, joining industry professionals to discuss Hong Kong’s future development and opportunities within APEC and the broader Asia-Pacific. She underscored Hong Kong’s established position as a #SuperConnector and its growing impact as a #SuperValueCreator for the region.

Drawing on FSDC research, she outlined priorities such as advancing Hong Kong as a global capital hub in the digital era, expanding market liquidity across fixed income, private assets, and offshore RMB, and building out the city’s commodities ecosystem.

With appreciation to the Office of Legislative Council Member Ng Kam-wah, the Accounting Development Foundation, and the Hong Kong Business Accountants Association for organizing the Forum, which provided a valuable platform for exchanging views on Hong Kong’s regional collaboration and development.

#FinanceMatters | What’s shaping Frankfurt’s financial center this summer?

🔹 A new chapter for Frankfurt Main Finance: Sarah Schmidtke will become the new CEO of Frankfurt Main Finance. She will lead the organization from February 2027 onwards and advance the financial center strategy.

🔹 18 years of Frankfurt Main Finance: Since 2008, Frankfurt Main Finance has brought together politics, business and society to give Frankfurt’s financial center a strong voice. The current issue looks back at 18 milestones.

🔹 Skyline Stories: A new video series offers behind-the-scenes views of Frankfurt’s iconic towers. The first episodes, featuring Commerzbank AG and Helaba, are already online.

🔹 New CFS Index: The latest index shows growing confidence in Germany as a financial centre – driven by Brexit effects and key reform initiatives.

📩 Stay informed about Frankfurt’s financial ecosystem and subscribe to our newsletter Finance Matters: https://lnkd.in/eUDisvuj

📅 25 September | 9:30–11:00

📍 PAIH Information Centre, Bagatela 12, Warsaw

🇵🇱 Please note that the roundtable will be held in Polish.

If you work at the intersection of academia, innovation, technology, business or public policy and would like to contribute to the discussion, we would be happy to have you join us.

📩 RSVP: kmultan@futurefinancepoland.com

We want this conversation to bring together different perspectives – and lead to practical recommendations for Poland.

Polish Investment and Trade Agency (PAIH) FinTech Poland Pawel Widawski Piotr Brewiński Katarzyna Multan Anna Bogucka Wojciech Nowicki Monika Zdrojek

We proudly celebrate the 104th anniversary of August 30, the unparalleled victory of our struggle for independence; we honor Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and his comrades-in-arms with respect and gratitude.

Happy August 30 Victory Day!

Know someone who’s taken a career break and is thinking about returning to work? Our Reconnect event could be just what they’re looking for.

Help us spread the word and share this event with someone who might benefit.

We understand that it's not always easy to take that leap back into work and the demands that come with it can feel overwhelming - sometimes you need a helping hand.

Our Reconnect event provides a place for you to talk to people who understand your worries and who have been in your shoes. It's a great opportunity to speak to people who can provide you with insight and advice on your next steps. 👣

Find out more: https://jsy.fi/45ApOdo

We are pleased to announce that KIFC CEO, Hortense Mudenge, will be speaking at the Africa Food Systems Forum 2026 on 2 September in Kigali.

She will join a session on ‘Positioning Financial Centers to Attract Investments’. This session will explore how African financial centers can strengthen their competitiveness and attract greater investment into agri-food systems through enabling policies, innovative financing solutions, and stronger investment ecosystems.

Taking place in Kigali from 31 August – 4 September 2026, the Africa Food Systems Forum brings together stakeholders to take practical actions and share lessons that will move African food systems forward

AFS Forum I Ministry of Agriculture & Animal Resources I Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning

Our “On The Move” series is back!

For this new edition, we’ll be exploring key sectors across the financial industry, looking at topics ranging from recruitment and the skills employers are looking for to workplace culture and practical career advice.

We’re kicking off with Elenore Bertoncini, Head of Communications, Marketing and Customer Experience at Baloise LU, who shares her advice for young professionals considering a career in insurance. She underlines that as new risks emerge, they create new roles in underwriting, claims, data, marketing and customer experience. Her conclusion: "there is room for every profile."

Economic diplomacy must ultimately translate Kenya’s global relationships into capital, enterprise and opportunity at home.

We look forward to working closely with the State Department for Diaspora Affairs | Kenya | , and our missions abroad to position Kenya—and Nairobi in particular—as a compelling gateway for global capital into our Good Continent.

Thank you, Korir SingOei , for convening this important engagement.

Now, we move from coordination to execution... 'Citius'.

NIFC Africa

QFC has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with AlRayan Bank Group to enhance banking access for QFC-licensed firms and strengthen collaboration across Islamic finance and capital markets.📈

The partnership will support more seamless access to banking services, explore digital integration to streamline account opening, and provide tailored banking solutions and benefits for QFC firms and their employees. 🏦

The MoU reflects both parties’ shared commitment to supporting business growth and contributing to the continued development of Qatar’s financial ecosystem.

Nigeria has taken a decisive step towards turning the Lagos International Financial Centre (LIFC) from ambition into reality. Presidential support and a new National Steering Committee give the initiative national backing. The LIFC has the potential to strengthen investor confidence, unlock capital for growth, and position Lagos as a leading financial hub in West Africa.

In her latest blog, Anna Rogers, Director, International Development, explores why the LIFC could become an important platform for Nigeria and the wider continent, and why success will be dependent on effective governance, credible institutions and a sustained public-private partnership.

Read the full blog here: https://lnkd.in/epRckPu5