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UBS and Rand Merchant Bank have taken top spots as the leading mergers and acquisitions (M&A) financial advisers in the Middle East and Africa during the first quarter of 2025, according to the latest league table published by GlobalData, a data and analytics firm.
As per GlobalData’s Deals Database, UBS secured the top position in terms of deal value, advising on transactions totaling $1.6bn.
Rand Merchant Bank claimed the lead in deal volume, providing advisory services on three separate transactions—the highest number recorded in the region for the period.
GlobalData lead analyst Aurojyoti Bose said: “UBS advised on only one deal but a billion-dollar deal* and that helped it occupy the top spot by value in Q1 2025. In fact, it was the only adviser to surpass the $1 billion mark in total deal value during the quarter.
“Apart from leading by value, UBS also held the ninth position by volume during Q1 2025. Meanwhile, Rand Merchant Bank, apart from leading by volume, also occupied the third position by value in Q1 2025.”
HSBC secured the second spot in terms of total deal value, providing advisory services on transactions worth $906m. It was followed closely by Rand Merchant Bank with $802m in deal value, Clairfield International at $750m, and Goldman Sachs with $693m.
In terms of deal volume, Goldman Sachs claimed the second position, having advised on three separate transactions. While it matched Rand Merchant Bank in the number of deals, the total value of deals advised by Goldman Sachs was lower.
The third position in deal volume table was shared by six firms—Imara Holdings, Jefferies, KPMG, Lazard, PSG Capital, and PwC—each of which advised on two deals during the period.
GlobalData’s league tables are based on the real-time tracking of thousands of company websites, advisory firm websites and other reliable sources available on the secondary domain. A dedicated team of analysts monitors all these sources to gather in-depth details for each deal, including adviser names.
To ensure further robustness to the data, the company also seeks submissions of deals from leading advisers.
"UBS, Rand Merchant Bank top financial advisers in Middle East and Africa in Q1 2025" was originally created and published by Private Banker International, a GlobalData owned brand.
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