The Dubai Investment Banking Scene

By BankersBall on Apr 17, 2008 in Dubai, Expats, Job Hunting

What you need to know.

We’ve been very curious about how the recently far flung have been faring, whether in Shanghai or in Dubai. So if any of you out there are reading this site, send us a note and let us know how it goes.

In the meantime, we came across a few pieces of advice from AMEInfo about how to survive as a banker in Dubai:

But investment bankers heading for the Gulf are not going to find the streets paved with gold. For a start, the local banking community is already very active, and the number of premium clients is rather small … Indeed, there are probably about 20 top institutions that any serious investment banker or hedge fund manager would like to know, and around 50 major clients in total. After that you are competing for a lot of high net worth individuals who are also used to being pursued by endless friendly new financial advisers. (emphasis added)

Another avenue worth pursuing is regional merger and acquisition strategies … IPO mandates may also soon be thick on the ground. There is a huge pipeline of regional IPO candidates but local stock markets are still in a fragile state after the crashes of 2006 and apt to follow global trends.

4 Comment(s)

On Apr 18, 2008, Saladin said:

Been to Dubai before, born in the Middle East, know some people doing banking over there. Don’t go as a young professional, get some experience first in the U.S./London/South East Asia. If you go there as a young blood, they will walk all over you and will not respect you for your worth and you will not move up. Age and experience matter most, and there is no real sense of meritocracy. Also learn the local customs before you go and meet clients/professionals; knowing your manners and respecting local Islamic/Arabic customs is critical to success not just in Dubai, but Qatar, Egypt, Abu Dhabi, etc.
On May 24, 2008, Raul said:

Don’t get off the main streets, you might find yourself a feature in an Al Quaeda video.
On Jul 21, 2008, K Rodgers said:

I am an American female living in Dubai and New York. My background in Dubai started in 1999. I am facilitator ” gate opener.” Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, UAE and Kuwait. My knowledge on customs and cultures what to do and what not to do are most useful when it comes down to your first meeting. Not all GCC are the same. Each country is different. I am paid as a consultant and fee basis on deals made.
On Aug 1, 2008, ASEES said:

HI THIS ASEES,I AM WORKING IN ACCENTURE AS A DESKTOP ENGINEER . BASICALY FROM KERALA

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On Apr 18, 2008, Saladin said:

Been to Dubai before, born in the Middle East, know some people doing banking over there. Don’t go as a young professional, get some experience first in the U.S./London/South East Asia. If you go there as a young blood, they will walk all over you and will not respect you for your worth and you will not move up. Age and experience matter most, and there is no real sense of meritocracy. Also learn the local customs before you go and meet clients/professionals; knowing your manners and respecting local Islamic/Arabic customs is critical to success not just in Dubai, but Qatar, Egypt, Abu Dhabi, etc.

On May 24, 2008, Raul said:

Don’t get off the main streets, you might find yourself a feature in an Al Quaeda video.

On Jul 21, 2008, K Rodgers said:

I am an American female living in Dubai and New York. My background in Dubai started in 1999. I am facilitator ” gate opener.” Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, UAE and Kuwait. My knowledge on customs and cultures what to do and what not to do are most useful when it comes down to your first meeting. Not all GCC are the same. Each country is different. I am paid as a consultant and fee basis on deals made.

On Aug 1, 2008, ASEES said:

HI THIS ASEES,I AM WORKING IN ACCENTURE AS A DESKTOP ENGINEER . BASICALY FROM KERALA