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GFH Financial Group today announced the successful conclusion of its Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM), held at GFH House, Bahrain Financial Harbour, for the financial year ended 31st December 2024. Image Courtesy: GFH
Manama, Bahrain: GFH Financial Group (“GFH” or “the Group”) today announced the successful conclusion of its Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM), held at GFH House, Bahrain Financial Harbour, for the financial year ended 31st December 2024. During the meeting, shareholders approved key decisions aimed at reinforcing the Group’s strategic position within the financial sector.
The AGM resulted in shareholders endorsing the Board of Directors’ recommendations, which included allocating a dividend of 6.2% of the nominal value of all ordinary shares, except treasury shares, equating to USD 0.0164 per share. Shareholders also ratified the minutes of the previous AGM held on October 9, 2024, alongside the approval of the Board’s report highlighting the Group’s business activities, the external auditor’s report, and the consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024.
Additional approvals included the corporate governance report, along with the allocation of USD 2.4 million as remuneration for the Board of Directors. Shareholders also authorized the Group to repurchase up to 10% of the total issued shares, subject to Central Bank approval.
Subsequently, the Extraordinary General Meeting convened, where important resolutions were approved, including the issuance of Tier 1 Financial Instruments and/or Sukuk (Additional Tier 1 Capital) valued at up to BD 200 million. These capital enhancement measures are designed to fortify the Group’s financial position and support long-term strategic objectives.
Additionally, shareholders authorized the Chairman and the CEO to take necessary actions and sign related documents to implement the previously approved recommendations, ensuring swift execution of the Group’s growth strategy.
Commenting on the occasion, Mr. Abdulmohsen Rashed Al Alrashed, Board Chairman of GFH, stated, “As we gather momentum from a strong year, we are focused on our strategic objectives to solidify our competitive edge in the financial landscape. The successful approval of our capital enhancement initiatives, including the distribution of a substantial dividend, speaks volumes of our commitment to value creation for our shareholders. We are poised for transformative growth as we explore new opportunities and enhance our overall performance, ensuring that GFH remains a leading player in the financial services sector.”
For his part, Mr. Hisham Alrayes, CEO of GFH, commented: “The results of our recent meetings are a testament to our robust framework and the unwavering support from our shareholders. With a clear roadmap ahead, we are prepared to leverage our assets into prosperous ventures that drive sustainable growth.”
He added: “The approvals to enhance our Tier 1 capital and the issuance of Tier 1 Financial Instruments underscore our dedication to strengthening our capital base and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards. Moving forward, we remain optimistic about our ability to adapt to market dynamics and generate substantial returns for all stakeholders involved.”
Today, GFH has reached USD 22 billion of assets under management including a global portfolio of investments in logistics, healthcare, education and technology in the MENA region, Europe, the US and the UK.
About GFH Financial Group B.S.C.
GFH is one of the most recognised financial groups in the Gulf region. Its businesses include Investment Management, Treasury & Proprietary Investments, Commercial Banking and Real Estate Development. The Group’s operations are principally focused across the GCC, North Africa and India, along with strategic investments in the U.S., Europe and U.K. GFH is listed on four stock exchanges in the GCC, including the Bahrain Bourse, Boursa Kuwait, Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) and Dubai Financial Market (DFM) where it is one of the most liquid and actively traded stocks.