Group of 14 US-Sanctioned Iraqi Banks Warn of ‘Negative Consequences’

Iraqi activists in front of the Central Bank in Baghdad demand economic reforms (EPA)
Iraqi activists in front of the Central Bank in Baghdad demand economic reforms (EPA)
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Group of 14 US-Sanctioned Iraqi Banks Warn of ‘Negative Consequences’

Iraqi activists in front of the Central Bank in Baghdad demand economic reforms (EPA)
Iraqi activists in front of the Central Bank in Baghdad demand economic reforms (EPA)

A group of 14 private Iraqi banks sanctioned by the US Treasury Department warned of "negative consequences" by depriving them of dealing in dollars.

The 14 banks have been banned from undertaking dollar transactions but can continue to use Iraqi dinars and other foreign currencies.

The sanctioned banks said in a joint statement that they deal in dollars with the Central Bank, under the supervision of the US Federal Reserve, and will apply the best auditing standards and investigation of financial transactions.

They said they were ready to challenge the measures and face audits through the Central Bank or an international auditing firm, asserting they'd take full responsibility for any violations if committed.

The statement noted that depriving about a third of Iraqi private banks of dealing in dollars will have negative consequences, not only on the value of the Iraqi dinar against the US dollar, but it will have a significant impact on foreign investments.

They called on the Iraqi government to take all measures to solve this problem and bear the losses they incurred and the banking sector in general.

The United States uncovered information that the Iraqi banks engaged in money laundering and fraudulent transactions, some of which may have involved sanctioned individuals, and raised concerns that Iran could benefit.

An economics professor at al-Basra University, Nabil al-Marsoumi, issued Wednesday data on the number of private banks in Iraq, saying they exceed that of countries such as Britain which has 54 banks only.

Marsoumi reported that the total number of banks in Iraq is 81, including 74 private banks, saying the ratio of public to private banks is the highest in the Middle East, with 43 in Turkey, 41 in Egypt, 31 in Saudi Arabia, 30 in Iran, 26 in Jordan, and 20 in Algeria.

Iraq has 29 Islamic banks, constituting more than a third of the banks in the country, said the expert.

Marsoumi hinted that political groups and parties control most banks.

Meanwhile, dozens demonstrated in front of the Central Bank in Baghdad to protest the sharp decline in the exchange rates of the Iraqi dinar against foreign currencies and chanted against the governor and some political parties and figures, accusing them of manipulating the exchange rates.

The Iraqi dinar reached 1,600 per US dollar in the local markets, compared to an official exchange rate of 1,320 dinars.

Furthermore, independent MP Hadi al-Salami officially requested the dismissal of the governor of the Central Bank, Ali al-Alaq.



Oil Prices Ease but Remain Near 2-week Highs on Russia, Iran Tensions

FILE PHOTO: Pump jacks operate in front of a drilling rig in an oil field in Midland, Texas US August 22, 2018. Picture taken August 22, 2018. REUTERS/Nick Oxford//File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Pump jacks operate in front of a drilling rig in an oil field in Midland, Texas US August 22, 2018. Picture taken August 22, 2018. REUTERS/Nick Oxford//File Photo
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Oil Prices Ease but Remain Near 2-week Highs on Russia, Iran Tensions

FILE PHOTO: Pump jacks operate in front of a drilling rig in an oil field in Midland, Texas US August 22, 2018. Picture taken August 22, 2018. REUTERS/Nick Oxford//File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Pump jacks operate in front of a drilling rig in an oil field in Midland, Texas US August 22, 2018. Picture taken August 22, 2018. REUTERS/Nick Oxford//File Photo

Oil prices retreated on Monday following 6% gains last week, but remained near two-week highs as geopolitical tensions grew between Western powers and major oil producers Russia and Iran, raising risks of supply disruption.
Brent crude futures slipped 26 cents, or 0.35%, to $74.91 a barrel by 0440 GMT, while US West Texas Intermediate crude futures were at $70.97 a barrel, down 27 cents, or 0.38%.
Both contracts last week notched their biggest weekly gains since late September to reach their highest settlement levels since Nov. 7 after Russia fired a hypersonic missile at Ukraine in a warning to the United States and UK following strikes by Kyiv on Russia using US and British weapons.
"Oil prices are starting the new week with some slight cool-off as market participants await more cues from geopolitical developments and the Fed’s policy outlook to set the tone," said Yeap Jun Rong, market strategist at IG.
"Tensions between Ukraine and Russia have edged up a notch lately, leading to some pricing for the risks of a wider escalation potentially impacting oil supplies."
As both Ukraine and Russia vie to gain some leverage ahead of any upcoming negotiations under a Trump administration, the tensions may likely persist into the year-end, keeping Brent prices supported around $70-$80, Yeap added.
In addition, Iran reacted to a resolution passed by the UN nuclear watchdog on Thursday by ordering measures such as activating various new and advanced centrifuges used in enriching uranium.
"The IAEA censure and Iran’s response heightens the likelihood that Trump will look to enforce sanctions against Iran’s oil exports when he comes into power," Vivek Dhar, a commodities strategist at Commonwealth Bank of Australia said in a note.
Enforced sanctions could sideline about 1 million barrels per day of Iran’s oil exports, about 1% of global oil supply, he said.
The Iranian foreign ministry said on Sunday that it will hold talks about its disputed nuclear program with three European powers on Nov. 29.
"Markets are concerned not only about damage to oil ports and infrastructure, but also the possibility of war contagion and involvement of more countries," said Priyanka Sachdeva, senior market analyst at Phillip Nova.
Investors were also focused on rising crude oil demand at China and India, the world's top and third-largest importers, respectively.
China's crude imports rebounded in November as lower prices drew stockpiling demand while Indian refiners increased crude throughput by 3% on year to 5.04 million bpd in October, buoyed by fuel exports.
For the week, traders will be eyeing US personal consumption expenditures (PCE) data, due on Wednesday, as that will likely inform the Federal Reserve’s policy meeting scheduled for Dec. 17-18, Sachdeva said.