Leonteq has formed an agreement with Emirates Islamic to provide Shari’a-compliant structured investment products, ushering in a new chapter in the expansion of Islamic finance in the Gulf.

The relationship combines Leonteq’s expertise in investment structuring and technology with Emirates Islamic’s market power and distribution skills.

According to the deal, the UAE-based bank will co-design and distribute trust certificates constructed around Islamic financial principles to its client base. These certificates will be delivered by the IBDAA Certificate Issuer, a specific Islamic issuance organisation established by Leonteq in 2022.

The items will be made using Leonteq’s Shari’a-compliant trust certificate programme, which is guided by Amanie Advisors, a reputable Islamic financial consulting business. Leonteq will handle all aspects of the structured products, including issuance, lifecycle management, and Shari’a-compliant hedging.

Furthermore, this development is viewed as a significant step forward for the Islamic structured products market, offering previously inaccessible investment solutions to a broader base of clients in the UAE and beyond.

Christian Spieler, CEO of Leonteq stated: “We are proud to partner with Emirates Islamic, a top tier institution in the Middle East. This collaboration will allow clients of Emirates Islamic to benefit from Leonteq’s longstanding expertise in white-labelling solutions and marks a milestone for Leonteq’s growth ambitions in the Middle East.”

The agreement is consistent with Leonteq’s overall strategy of regional expansion and diversification. It also demonstrates the growing desire among affluent and institutional Gulf investors for Shari’a-compliant investment vehicles that combine global market access with Islamic financial rules.

Leonteq, founded in Switzerland, gained a strong reputation in Europe for its technology-driven investing solutions. Its push into Islamic finance is consistent with broader trends toward ethical investing and financial inclusion.

Emirates Islamic, incorporated in 2004 and part of the Emirates NBD Group, is one of the UAE’s main Islamic banks, with a network of 40 locations and a full suite of retail, business, and corporate banking products. The bank has consistently focused on innovation within the context of Shari’a legislation.

Farid AlMulla, CEO of Emirates Islamic added: “Emirates Islamic is excited to partner with Leonteq to create structured investment solutions for our customers and the market. Over two decades, the bank has played a significant role in transforming the Islamic banking landscape. We have always endeavoured to offer Islamic solutions that make a difference in the lives of our customers and beyond. This new partnership will enable our clients, in particular, to benefit from an even bigger product universe that further enhances their investment choices and access to global markets.”

In addition, the launch represents a significant use case for IBDAA, one of the few Islamic issuance platforms capable of providing various investment payoffs across asset classes. Its technology infrastructure enables accessible investment levels and operational efficiency, which are critical for scaling Islamic structured products.

This partnership may pave the way for further innovations in Islamic finance, as more investors seek sophisticated yet compliant instruments to diversify portfolios and tap into international opportunities.