New Shari’ah-compliant proposition is designed to help SMEs access short-term trade finance through digital platform partnerships in selected markets
Vision Bank, the Abu Dhabi Global Markets (ADGM)-headquartered Islamic bank founded and wholly owned by GII Group, has announced the launch of its SME financing proposition, marking a significant step in the Bank’s strategy to support modern businesses with solutions built around how companies operate, trade and grow.
The GII Group is a leading Shari’ah-compliant alternative asset manager established in 2014 and headquartered in the UAE, with offices in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Riyadh. GII manages over US$3 billion of assets across private equity, real estate, private credit andstrategies on behalf of sovereign institutions, financial institutions and family offices in the GCC and internationally. GII provides Vision Bank with shareholder capital, board representation and access to the Group’s investment, structuring and Shari’ah expertise.
The new proposition is focused on providing short-term SME trade finance to eligible businesses. It is designed to support cross-border trade flows and will be originated through a multi-channel approach led by platform partnerships, enabling Vision Bank to identify SME financing opportunities across its target markets.
As the only homegrown Category 1 Islamic bank in ADGM, licensed and regulated by the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA), Vision Bank’s launch of SME financing supports the continued development of ADGM’s regulated financial services ecosystem and strengthens Abu Dhabi’s position as a leading international financial centre.
As part of the launch, Vision Bank is working with select fintechs and trade finance platforms, which will form the foundation of a platform-led financing model, allowing the Bank to support SMEs that require working capital linked to real trade flows.
The proposition is particularly relevant for exporters and SMEs in markets such as the GCC, India, Southeast Asia and other trade-driven economies, where businesses may face limited access to competitive US dollar financing through local channels. By assessing the underlying trade transaction, relevant counterparties and associated credit risk, Vision Bank aims to support a more efficient approach to SME trade finance that is linked to commercial flows rather than relying solely on traditional balance-sheet lending criteria. The financing structure is designed in line with applicable Shari’ah principles.
