Commercial International Bank (CIB) successfully navigated a highly volatile year for the Egyptian pound by combining robust growth in client foreign exchange activity with a comprehensive hedging proposition and substantial liquidity provision.
During a period characterized by significant macroeconomic shifts and currency fluctuations in Egypt, CIB solidified its position as a leading financial institution by supporting its diverse client base across corporate, financial institution, SME, and retail segments. The bank’s ability to maintain deep liquidity and offer sophisticated risk management instruments proved essential in helping market participants manage currency exposure amidst ongoing economic adjustments.
Client foreign exchange volumes experienced a remarkable expansion over the course of the year, surging by 32% year-on-year to reach $12.6 billion in 2025. This substantial increase in transactional flow reflected heightened demand for foreign currency liquidity and risk mitigation tools among Egyptian businesses and individuals as they adapted to evolving market dynamics. The growth spanned multiple customer categories, demonstrating CIB’s broad reach across the domestic economy, from large-scale corporate entities and financial institutions to small and medium-sized enterprises and everyday retail customers.
Demand for CIB’s foreign exchange services extended well beyond traditional spot transactions, highlighting a growing sophistication among Egyptian market participants in managing currency volatility. Throughout the year, the bank executed approximately $250 million of foreign exchange forwards, providing clients with the ability to lock in future exchange rates and secure budget certainty in an unpredictable environment. In addition to forwards, CIB actively utilized options and structured products tailored to meet the specific risk management requirements of its clients, enabling them to protect their balance sheets and operational cash flows against adverse currency movements.
Beyond its advisory and transactional capabilities in the derivatives space, CIB demonstrated exceptional trading acumen and agility as market conditions shifted dynamically throughout the year. The bank’s trading desks successfully managed liquidity provisions, ensuring that clients maintained access to reliable foreign exchange execution even during periods of heightened market stress and fluctuating liquidity conditions. This operational resilience underscored the depth of CIB’s treasury operations and its capacity to absorb shocks while continuing to serve as a dependable liquidity provider within the Egyptian financial sector.
