CFI Financial Group
CFI Financial Group is an international brokerage group offering online access to foreign exchange, equities, commodities, indices, exchange-traded funds and contracts for difference.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
CFI Financial Group is a privately held international brokerage brand that developed from Credit Financier Invest SAL, a Lebanese financial company established in 1998. The CFI group itself was formed in Beirut in 2015 by Hisham Mansour and Eduardo Fakhoury as part of the parent company’s international expansion. Its business is centered on online trading and investment services for retail and other clients, with products spanning foreign exchange, stocks, commodities, indices, exchange-traded funds and contracts for difference. The company’s geographic development has been characterized by a combination of regional expansion, local licensing and acquisitions. In 2017, it moved its headquarters from Beirut to Dubai, reinforcing the United Arab Emirates as the group’s principal administrative and commercial base. It expanded into Jordan in 2018 and obtained both local and international permissions connected with the Jordan Securities Commission, while also opening an office in London. A Mauritius presence followed in 2019. The group later entered Egypt through the acquisition of El Mahrousa, a local brokerage, in November 2022. CFI has continued to build a multi-jurisdictional operating structure. A Dubai entity regulated by the United Arab Emirates Capital Market Authority began operating in January 2024. The group launched operations in South Africa in December 2024 after approval from the Financial Sector Conduct Authority, and opened an Azerbaijani office in Baku in February 2025 following the acquisition of AzFinance Investment Company. Its Bahrain subsidiary received a Category 2 Investment Business Firm licence from the Central Bank of Bahrain in July 2025, followed by the opening of a Manama office. The group also received authorization to operate in Brazil as a securities brokerage and subsequently launched operations in Colombia after local regulatory approval. CFI states that it serves clients in more than 100 countries through a network of regulated and authorized entities. Its business model combines trading technology, market access and locally licensed brokerage operations. Depending on the relevant entity and jurisdiction, clients may receive access to listed securities, foreign exchange, commodities, indices, ETFs and leveraged CFD products. Regulatory permissions and product availability vary by market, and the group’s international structure includes entities in both heavily regulated financial centers and jurisdictions with lighter regulatory regimes. Brand building is an important part of CFI’s expansion strategy. The company has sponsored or partnered with sporting organizations and events including the Nissan e.dams Formula E team, the Lebanon men’s national basketball team, the Jordan Basketball Federation, AC Milan, Paris Saint-Germain, the EuroLeague Final Four, Etihad Arena and the Egyptian Basketball Federation. It has also used high-profile ambassadors, including Lewis Hamilton and Maria Sharapova. In the social-impact area, CFI partnered with the King Hussein Cancer Foundation and Center in 2023, supporting a medical unit for underprivileged patients and matching certain client donations. The group has also faced regulatory criticism. Italy’s CONSOB warned in 2016 that CFI had provided investment services to Italian residents without the required authorization. In 2022, the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission imposed a €150,000 fine on CFI’s Cyprus branch for anti-money-laundering and counter-terrorist-financing breaches. In 2025, Oman’s Financial Services Authority revoked the licence of CFI Financial LLC, citing anti-money-laundering non-compliance and activity outside the scope of its authorization. These matters illustrate the compliance challenges associated with operating a cross-border brokerage business. CFI remains active and continues to expand its regulated footprint.
History
CFI Financial Group traces its corporate roots to Credit Financier Invest SAL, a Lebanese financial company founded in 1998. The CFI brand was established in Beirut in 2015 by Hisham Mansour and Eduardo Fakhoury to support the company’s international brokerage expansion. Rather than remaining a Lebanon-focused operation, the group developed a network of offices and regulated entities intended to serve clients across the Middle East, Europe, Africa, Asia and Latin America. A major structural change occurred in 2017, when CFI relocated its headquarters to Dubai. The move placed the group closer to the Gulf’s financial markets and gave it a base for broader regional development. In 2018, CFI expanded into Jordan and became one of the early international brokerage groups to secure both local and international licences associated with the Jordan Securities Commission. That year it also opened a London office, establishing a presence in a major global financial center. In 2019, it added an office in Port Louis, Mauritius. The group’s expansion later relied partly on acquisitions and partly on new regulatory approvals. In November 2022, CFI entered Egypt by acquiring El Mahrousa, a local brokerage. In 2024, it established a Dubai operation regulated by the United Arab Emirates Capital Market Authority and launched operations in South Africa after approval from the Financial Sector Conduct Authority. Its South African office was established in Cape Town. In February 2025, the acquisition of AzFinance Investment Company enabled CFI to open an office in Baku and enter Azerbaijan. CFI continued adding regulated coverage in the Gulf and Latin America. In July 2025, its Bahrain subsidiary obtained a Category 2 Investment Business Firm licence from the Central Bank of Bahrain, and the group later opened a Manama office. It received Brazilian authorization to operate as a Corretora de Títulos e Valores Mobiliários, allowing local access to equities and fixed-income products. The group also launched operations in Colombia following authorization by the Superintendencia Financiera de Colombia. By 2026, CFI was described as holding approximately 15 licences or authorizations across its international network. The group’s operating model is based on online access to several financial markets. Depending on the relevant legal entity and jurisdiction, its offering includes foreign exchange, equities, commodities, indices, ETFs and CFDs. CFI reports serving clients in more than 100 countries. The legal and regulatory structure is fragmented across jurisdictions, meaning that product access, leverage, investor protections and client eligibility can differ materially from one CFI entity to another. Marketing and sponsorships have been used to increase consumer recognition of the brand. CFI has associated itself with Formula E, basketball organizations, AC Milan, Paris Saint-Germain, the EuroLeague Final Four and Etihad Arena. It has also appointed internationally recognized sporting figures as ambassadors, including Lewis Hamilton in 2024 and Maria Sharapova in 2025. In 2023, the group partnered with the King Hussein Cancer Foundation and Center to support a medical unit for underprivileged patients and introduced a matching initiative connected with client donations. CFI’s history also includes regulatory and compliance disputes. In October 2016, Italy’s CONSOB warned that CFI was operating without the authorization required to provide investment services to Italian residents. In May 2022, the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission fined the group’s Cyprus branch €150,000 for breaches involving anti-money-laundering and counter-terrorist-financing controls. In September 2025, Oman’s Financial Services Authority revoked the licence of CFI Financial LLC, citing anti-money-laundering non-compliance and the marketing of non-Omani securities beyond the entity’s authorized scope. The group remains active, with international growth continuing alongside regulatory scrutiny.
- 2026
Latin American expansion
[1]CFI receives Brazilian authorization and launches operations in Colombia.
- 2025
Leadership transition and Azerbaijan expansion
[1]CFI acquires AzFinance Investment Company, opens in Baku and appoints Ziad Melhem as group CEO.
- 2025
Bahrain licence and Manama operation
[1]The group receives a Category 2 investment business licence in Bahrain and opens a Manama office.
- 2024
Expansion into South Africa
[1]CFI launches a Cape Town operation after approval from South Africa’s Financial Sector Conduct Authority.
- 2022
Entry into Egypt
[1]CFI enters Egypt through the acquisition of El Mahrousa.
- 2019
Mauritius office opens
[1]The group opens an office in Port Louis, Mauritius.
- 2018
Expansion into Jordan and the United Kingdom
[1]CFI expands into Jordan and opens a London office.
- 2017
Headquarters move to Dubai
[1]CFI relocates its headquarters from Beirut to Dubai.
- 2015
CFI Financial Group is established
[1]Hisham Mansour and Eduardo Fakhoury establish CFI in Beirut as part of Credit Financier Invest’s international expansion.
- 1998
Credit Financier Invest SAL is founded
[1]The Lebanese financial company that later developed the CFI brokerage group is established.
Products and positioning
A globally expanding, multi-jurisdictional online brokerage combining regional market expertise, local regulatory coverage and access to multiple traded asset classes.
Trading service
Foreign exchange
CFI provides online foreign-exchange trading through its brokerage network. Availability, leverage, client eligibility and investor protections depend on the entity serving a particular market and the permissions granted by that jurisdiction’s regulator.
Securities brokerage
Stocks and securities
The group offers access to equities and other securities through its regulated brokerage entities. Its Brazilian authorization specifically permits local clients to access equities and fixed-income securities, while the precise instruments and markets vary across CFI’s international operations.
Trading service
Commodities and indices
CFI’s multi-asset offering includes commodity and index exposure. These products may be offered as tradable instruments or derivatives depending on local regulation and the relevant CFI entity.
Investment product
Exchange-traded funds
Exchange-traded funds form part of CFI’s stated product range, giving clients access to diversified market exposures through exchange-listed investment vehicles or related trading products where permitted.
Derivative
Contracts for difference
CFI offers CFDs in jurisdictions where its relevant entities are authorized to do so. CFDs provide leveraged exposure to underlying assets but carry substantial risk, and their terms and availability differ by regulatory market.
Controversies
2025
Oman licence revocation
Oman’s Financial Services Authority revoked the licence of CFI Financial LLC, citing anti-money-laundering non-compliance and marketing of non-Omani securities beyond the entity’s authorized scope.
2022
CySEC anti-money-laundering fine
The Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission fined CFI’s Cyprus branch €150,000 for breaches involving anti-money-laundering and counter-terrorist-financing requirements.
2016
Italian regulator warning over cross-border services
Italy’s CONSOB warned that CFI had been providing investment services to Italian residents without the authorization required in Italy.
Marketing campaigns
- 2025EuroLeague Final Four partnership
Europe · International
CFI became the official online trading partner of the 2025 EuroLeague Final Four.
Outcome. The agreement gave CFI event-level visibility in European basketball.
- 2025Maria Sharapova global ambassador partnership
International
CFI named former tennis player Maria Sharapova a global brand ambassador.
Outcome. The appointment expanded CFI’s sports-led international marketing platform.
- 2024Lewis Hamilton global ambassador partnership
International
CFI appointed Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton as a global brand ambassador.
Outcome. The agreement increased the brand’s association with international motorsport and high-profile sports marketing.
- 2024Paris Saint-Germain partnership
International
CFI announced a partnership with Paris Saint-Germain extending through June 2026.
Outcome. The partnership positioned CFI alongside a globally recognized football club; specific commercial results were not disclosed.
- 2023King Hussein Cancer Foundation partnership
Jordan · International
CFI partnered with the King Hussein Cancer Foundation and Center to help fund a medical unit serving underprivileged patients. It also introduced a donation initiative under which the group matched certain contributions generated through client trading activity.
Outcome. The partnership connected CFI’s brand activity with healthcare philanthropy; the long-term financial outcome was not specified.
Brand decisions
2025
Acquisition of AzFinance Investment CompanyM&ABackground
CFI pursued expansion into Azerbaijan and the broader regional brokerage market.
Action taken
CFI acquired AzFinance Investment Company and opened an office in Baku.
Aftermath
The transaction established a local operating presence in Azerbaijan.
2025
Appointment of a group chief executiveStrategyBackground
CFI reorganized senior leadership as the group expanded its international network.
Action taken
Ziad Melhem became group CEO, while Hisham Mansour and Eduardo Fakhoury became chairman and vice chairman.
Aftermath
The founders retained senior governance roles while day-to-day group leadership moved to a chief executive.
2022
Acquisition of El MahrousaM&ABackground
CFI sought to establish a direct brokerage presence in Egypt.
Action taken
The group acquired Egyptian brokerage El Mahrousa.
Aftermath
The transaction supported CFI’s entry into the Egyptian market.
2017
Relocation of headquarters to DubaiStrategyBackground
CFI sought a stronger base for its Middle Eastern and international expansion.
Action taken
The group moved its headquarters from Beirut to Dubai.
Aftermath
Dubai became the group’s principal headquarters and an important platform for subsequent regional growth.
Recent events
CFI Financial Group appoints François Du Plessis as CEO of CFI South Africa[2]
Reported:
CFI Financial Group, a global online trading provider, appointed François Du Plessis as CEO of its South Africa business. Du Plessis brings extensive leadership experience in the online trading industry to the role.
Sources2 sources
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