Egypt lifts cap on banks’ ownership of non-banking financial services providers

We may soon see a bank-led rush on Egypt’s finance sector, after the central bank lifted the 40% ownership cap on how much equity banks can own in non-banking finance firms, according to a decision reviewed by EnterpriseAM.

The updated list of Egyptian financial companies that are now fair game for banks: Securities firms, mortgage companies, securitization companies, factoring and leasing businesses, ins. companies, bureau de changes, money transfer services, payment companies, consumer finance activities, SME financing businesses, and fintechs offering non-bank financial services.

Why this matters: Raising the ownership cap will allow banks to put more financial weight and industry know-how behind these companies, former Blom Bank Egypt deputy managing director Tarek Metwally tells EnterpriseAM. Being affiliated with an established bank can also help fintechs add credibility and support adoption of digital financial services, he added.

The CBE will, by extension, see its oversight of these companies increase in tandem, which could help limit any potential undermining of market stability, former Industrial Development Bank chairman Maged Fahmy tells us. Because banks are already firmly under the supervision of the central bank, greater bank ownership of fintechs and other financial companies would extend this regulatory umbrella to a wider part of the market, Fahmy added.

What’s next? Expect to see a wave of acquisitions by banks targeting fintechs, money transfer companies, and businesses that specialize in lending to SMEs, Metwally tells us. The new rules are also expected to persuade banks to open up new subsidiaries and investment arms to expand in these sectors.