The case focuses on the ill-fated relationship between the LIA, Libya’s new sovereign wealth fund, and Goldman Sachs, and the ultimately disastrous $1.2 billion derivatives (elephant) trades the LIA entered into in early 2008 on Goldman’s advice. The analysis deals with basic derivative instruments, terminology and concepts (e.g., leverage, counterparty risk) as well as valuation issues both intui

Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank had experienced huge success before the 2008 financial crisis caused a spectacular downturn. Grasping the gravity of the situation, a new CEO engages in a successful turnaround. The case highlights the role of leadership, creating a culture of collaboration, and implementing new systems in accomplishing this.

The case describes the efforts of Emirates Bank’s HR team to build a performance-oriented culture in order to facilitate growth. To introduce basic HR processes, resistance to change from the established management hierarchy must be overcome. More recently, business segmentation of the bank and an impending merger raise new challenges for the direction of HR.

The case focuses on the recruitment and retention challenges of Emirates Bank and its HR team as the organisation expands from 900 staff to more than 5500. It highlights the challenges of managing expatriates and locals in the context of nationalisation, and those of changing a culture of traditionally managing retention through salary rises alone.