Arab Banking Corporation (B.S.C.) (BAX:ABC) said on September 8, 2020 it was in preliminary talks to buy BLOM Bank Egypt S.A.E. of BLOM Bank SAL (BDB:BLBD), pitting it against Dubai's Emirates NBD, which is also a potential bidder. Blom has hired CI Capital Partners LLC to advise on a sale that could fetch $250 million to $300 million as the Lebanese lender tries to boost its capital, Reuters reported in August, 2020, citing two sources familiar with the deal. Blom had approached potential bidders including Dubai's biggest bank, Emirates NBD Bank PJSC (DFM:EMIRATESNBD), the sources said.

Emirates NBD confirmed on August 13, 2020 it was interested.