Masraf Al Rayan, Qatar's second-largest bank by market value, is eyeing a debut in the debt capital markets this year after inviting bankers to pitch for arranger roles on a potential U.S. dollar-denominated benchmark sukuk issue.
The sharia-compliant institution is expected to raise funds before end-April, three of the sources said, speaking on condition of anonymity as the deal is not yet public knowledge.
Benchmark size is traditionally understood to mean upwards of $500 million.
Masraf Al Rayan is "very close" to mandating arrangers for the upcoming sukuk issue, two sources said.
The lender did not respond to a request for comment by Reuters.
Masraf Al Rayan joins a growing pipeline of potential Gulf issuance as borrowers want to obtain funds from the dollar debt markets before a possible increase in interest rates by the U.S. Federal Reserve later this year.
Among Gulf names recently completing deals or linked with upcoming offerings are the emirate of Ras al-Khaimah, Emirates NBD, Islamic Development Bank and Sharjah Islamic Bank.
In January, Masraf Al Rayan reported a 21.2 percent rise in fourth-quarter net profit, helped by lending growth.