
Alinma Bank launches new platform powered by IBM Hybrid Cloud & AI technology to fuel innovation for digital banking
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: IBM and Alinma Bank announce that Alinma Bank, a leading financial institution in Saudi Arabia, has adopted IBM's advanced hybrid cloud and AI integration technologies. This move aims to enhance Alinma Bank's IT infrastructure and launch a pioneering Application Programming Interface (API) Platform. This development supports the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which focuses on digital transformation and innovation.
Alinma Bank has achieved a high level of maturity in adopting modern, agile integrations. Its centralized API repository currently serves as a mission-critical component within the Bank's IT architecture, supporting nearly all banking channels, from retail to B2B. This collaboration with IBM aligns with Alinma's 2025 Transformation Strategy, which aims to generate new revenue streams and provide corporate customers and fintech partners with seamless access to advanced digital solutions.
Through IBM Cloud Pak® for Integration, IBM API Connect®, Red Hat OpenShift on IBM Cloud, and IBM DataPower, Alinma's API platform delivers a secure, scalable infrastructure for fintechs and SMEs, enhancing user experience and broadening the bank's reach within the financial services sector. This centralized API marketplace will allow fintechs to access critical data easily, positioning Alinma as a leader in fintech innovation and enabling new revenue streams through paid API services that strengthen its role in Saudi Arabia's digital economy.
The platform's deployment streamlined the integration of key internal systems, including onboarding, pricing, and payment processes, with IBM's API Connect, the central solution in this architecture, simplifying complex setups to provide consistent, reliable services. Alinma has built a high-performance system that offers secure, compliant data access across all channels by integrating IBM's Cloud Pak for Integration, which combines traditional and modern styles. Furthermore, IBM's API Connect along with the scalable deployment capabilities of Red Hat OpenShift, enables Alinma to maintain a secure, centralized repository for critical financial data while ensuring compliance and consistency throughout its API lifecycle.
This robust collaboration will aid Alinma Bank meet their regulatory standards for data privacy and security while adapting to evolving demands in the fintech sector with modern, customer-centric services.
'IBM is a valuable, trusted partner in our journey to becoming one of the kingdom's most agile and responsive financial institutions,' said Yasser AlOufi, Chief Information Officer at Alinma Bank. 'As an innovation-driven bank, we are dedicated to delivering world-class offerings that empower our clients and partners to succeed. Our new API platform exemplifies this focus, providing corporate customers and fintech partners with competitive, secure, and accessible digital services that support their growth and resilience.'
'At IBM, we are honored to be a technology partner in Saudi Arabia's digital transformation, committed to providing solutions that meet our clients' needs and contribute to the nation's success,' said Fahad Alanazi, General Manager, IBM Saudi Arabia. 'For years, we have worked to do exactly that, and today, as we advance into an increasingly digital era, we are even more committed to ensuring that leading entities such as Alinma Bank are best placed to accomplish their future goals. Our collaboration on the API Monetization platform unlocks greater potential for Saudi fintechs and SMEs. We look forward to our continued partnership as Alinma paves the way for innovation in the Kingdom's financial services sector.'
About Alinma Bank
Alinma Bank is a market leader in dynamic and innovative Shariah-compliant banking and financial services. The bank delivers its services with the speed and convenience that customers require in their busy modern lives.
Founded in 2006, Alinma Bank has a strong track record of supporting the national economy and helping individuals and businesses achieve their goals and aspirations. As a full-service financial institution, the bank serves individuals, corporates, and SMEs alike with a comprehensive range of products and services, including auto, home, and personal financing, individual and corporate current accounts, saving accounts, card services, corporate financing, auto leasing, and much more.
About IBM
IBM is a leading provider of global hybrid cloud and AI, and consulting expertise. We help clients in more than 175 countries capitalize on insights from their data, streamline business processes, reduce costs and gain the competitive edge in their industries. More than 4,000 government and corporate entities in critical infrastructure areas such as financial services, telecommunications and healthcare rely on IBM's hybrid cloud platform and Red Hat OpenShift to affect their digital transformations quickly, efficiently and securely. IBM's breakthrough innovations in AI, quantum computing, industry-specific cloud solutions and consulting deliver open and flexible options to our clients. All of this is backed by IBM's long-standing commitment to trust, transparency, responsibility, inclusivity and service.
Visit www.ibm.com for more information.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Web Release
3 hours ago
- Web Release
IBM Sets the Course to Build World's First Large-Scale, Fault-Tolerant Quantum Computer at New IBM Quantum Data Center
IBM Sets the Course to Build World's First Large-Scale, Fault-Tolerant Quantum Computer at New IBM Quantum Data Center IBM unveiled its path to build the world's first large-scale, fault-tolerant quantum computer, setting the stage for practical and scalable quantum computing. Delivered by 2029, IBM Quantum Starling will be built in a new IBM Quantum Data Center in Poughkeepsie, New York and is expected to perform 20,000 times more operations than today's quantum computers. To represent the computational state of an IBM Starling would require the memory of more than a quindecillion (10^48) of the world's most powerful supercomputers. With Starling, users will be able to fully explore the complexity of its quantum states, which are beyond the limited properties able to be accessed by current quantum computers. IBM, which already operates a large, global fleet of quantum computers, is releasing a new Quantum Roadmap that outlines its plans to build out a practical, fault-tolerant quantum computer. 'IBM is charting the next frontier in quantum computing,' said Arvind Krishna, Chairman and CEO, IBM. 'Our expertise across mathematics, physics, and engineering is paving the way for a large-scale, fault-tolerant quantum computer — one that will solve real-world challenges and unlock immense possibilities for business.' A large-scale, fault-tolerant quantum computer with hundreds or thousands of logical qubits could run hundreds of millions to billions of operations, which could accelerate time and cost efficiencies in fields such as drug development, materials discovery, chemistry, and optimization. Starling will be able to access the computational power required for these problems by running 100 million quantum operations using 200 logical qubits. It will be the foundation for IBM Quantum Blue Jay, which will be capable of executing 1 billion quantum operations over 2,000 logical qubits. A logical qubit is a unit of an error-corrected quantum computer tasked with storing one qubit's worth of quantum information. It is made from multiple physical qubits working together to store this information and monitor each other for errors. Like classical computers, quantum computers need to be error corrected to run large workloads without faults. To do so, clusters of physical qubits are used to create a smaller number of logical qubits with lower error rates than the underlying physical qubits. Logical qubit error rates are suppressed exponentially with the size of the cluster, enabling them to run greater numbers of operations. Creating increasing numbers of logical qubits capable of executing quantum circuits, with as few physical qubits as possible, is critical to quantum computing at scale. Until today, a clear path to building such a fault-tolerant system without unrealistic engineering overhead has not been published. The Path to Large-Scale Fault Tolerance The success of executing an efficient fault-tolerant architecture is dependent on the choice of its error-correcting code, and how the system is designed and built to enable this code to scale. Alternative and previous gold-standard, error-correcting codes present fundamental engineering challenges. To scale, they would require an unfeasible number of physical qubits to create enough logical qubits to perform complex operations – necessitating impractical amounts of infrastructure and control electronics. This renders them unlikely to be able to be implemented beyond small-scale experiments and devices. A practical, large-scale, fault-tolerant quantum computer requires an architecture that is: · Fault-tolerant to suppress enough errors for useful algorithms to succeed. · Able to prepare and measure logical qubits through computation. · Capable of applying universal instructions to these logical qubits. · Able to decode measurements from logical qubits in real-time and can alter subsequent instructions. · Modular to scale to hundreds or thousands of logical qubits to run more complex algorithms. · Efficient enough to execute meaningful algorithms with realistic physical resources, such as energy and infrastructure. Today, IBM is introducing two new technical papers that detail how it will solve the above criteria to build a large-scale, fault-tolerant architecture. The first paper unveils how such a system will process instructions and run operations effectively with qLDPC codes. This work builds on a groundbreaking approach to error correction featured on the cover of Nature that introduced quantum low-density parity check (qLDPC) codes. This code drastically reduces the number of physical qubits needed for error correction and cuts required overhead by approximately 90 percent, compared to other leading codes. Additionally, it lays out the resources required to reliably run large-scale quantum programs to prove the efficiency of such an architecture over others. The second paper describes how to efficiently decode the information from the physical qubits and charts a path to identify and correct errors in real-time with conventional computing resources. From Roadmap to Reality The new IBM Quantum Roadmap outlines the key technology milestones that will demonstrate and execute the criteria for fault tolerance. Each new processor in the roadmap addresses specific challenges to build quantum systems that are modular, scalable, and error-corrected: · IBM Quantum Loon, expected in 2025, is designed to test architecture components for the qLDPC code, including 'C-couplers' that connect qubits over longer distances within the same chip. · IBM Quantum Kookaburra, expected in 2026, will be IBM's first modular processor designed to store and process encoded information. It will combine quantum memory with logic operations — the basic building block for scaling fault-tolerant systems beyond a single chip. · IBM Quantum Cockatoo, expected in 2027, will entangle two Kookaburra modules using 'L-couplers.' This architecture will link quantum chips together like nodes in a larger system, avoiding the need to build impractically large chips. Together, these advancements are being designed to culminate in Starling in 2029. To learn more about IBM's path to scaling fault tolerance, read our blog here, and watch our IBM Quantum scientists in this latest video.


TECHx
12 hours ago
- TECHx
IBM Reveals Quantum Starling Launch by 2029
Home » Tech Value Chain » Global Brands » IBM Reveals Quantum Starling Launch by 2029 IBM has announced its roadmap to build the world's first large-scale, fault-tolerant quantum computer. The company revealed that the system, named IBM Quantum Starling, will be delivered by 2029. It will be hosted in a new IBM Quantum Data Center in Poughkeepsie, New York. The system is expected to perform 20,000 times more operations than current quantum computers. IBM reported that simulating a single IBM Starling state would require the memory of more than a quindecillion (10^48) top supercomputers. With Starling, users will explore quantum states far beyond what today's systems can handle. IBM also introduced a new Quantum Roadmap that outlines its plans to make practical and scalable quantum computing a reality. Arvind Krishna, Chairman and CEO of IBM, stated the company is paving the way for quantum computers that can solve real-world problems. A fault-tolerant quantum computer with hundreds or thousands of logical qubits could revolutionize industries. It may enable faster drug development, materials discovery, and more advanced optimization algorithms. IBM reported that: IBM Quantum Starling will use 200 logical qubits to perform 100 million operations. It will support the future IBM Quantum Blue Jay, which will run 1 billion operations using 2,000 logical qubits. A logical qubit stores quantum information using multiple physical qubits that correct each other's errors. This method helps reduce error rates and improves the system's reliability. Until now, building a fault-tolerant quantum computer without excessive engineering requirements was not possible. IBM's new architecture aims to change that. The company highlighted key features needed for a scalable system: Fault-tolerant structure Logical qubit preparation and measurement Real-time decoding and modular scalability IBM has also released two technical papers supporting its approach. The first paper details how qLDPC (quantum low-density parity check) codes reduce physical qubit requirements by 90%. The second paper explains how to decode quantum information efficiently using conventional computing systems. IBM's roadmap includes three new processors: IBM Quantum Loon (2025): Will test components for qLDPC, including long-distance qubit connectors. IBM Quantum Kookaburra (2026): A modular processor combining quantum memory and logic. IBM Quantum Cockatoo (2027): Will link Kookaburra modules using 'L-couplers,' enabling chip-to-chip quantum entanglement. These processors are designed to culminate in IBM Quantum Starling by 2029. IBM Quantum continues to push the boundaries of what quantum systems can achieve, focusing on practical, scalable, and error-corrected solutions.


Khaleej Times
12 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
UAE's large scale projects signal ambition towards a sustainable economy
The UAE remains buoyant and forward-thinking, with large-scale transformation initiatives signaling the government ambition to create a sustainable economy for citizens and visitors alike, an industry veteran said. 'The UAE's government is strategically deploying investment into sectors that promise long-term value creation, including infrastructure, tourism, clean energy, digital innovation, and advanced logistics — all of which are catalysts for sustainable economic growth,' Phil Malem, CEO Serco Middle East and +impact, said in an interview. In the UAE, non-oil GDP is being buoyed by increased private sector participation and a push toward becoming a global hub for innovation, trade and talent, he added. It is also noteworthy to look at Saudi Arabia, a country which is in the midst of one of the most ambitious economic diversification programmes in the world under Vision 2030. 'Projects like NEOM, Qiddiya, and the Red Sea Development are not just infrastructure investments; they represent a new economic model based on knowledge, creativity, and future-ready service ecosystems. These megaprojects demand not only advanced service delivery models but also strategic advisory capabilities, and partners who can think, design, and operate at scale. This is where our value proposition is strongest: in delivering outsourced services that are deeply integrated, culturally aligned, and capable of flexing across both the operational and advisory spectrum,' Malem said. Serco has a long established record in the aviation sector, and Malem believes that Dubai's announcement to fully transition airport operations to Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) over the next decade marks a pivotal moment in the future of global aviation. 'DWC is not just an airport expansion, it is the foundation of a new aviation ecosystem for the UAE. With a projected capacity of 260 million passengers annually, this is a bold redefinition of what global connectivity, passenger experience, and aviation infrastructure can look like. It will reshape air traffic flows, logistics strategies, and the entire passenger journey across the region,' Malem said. For us at Serco, this is a natural alignment with its capabilities and legacy. 'We have long been embedded in the region's aviation sector (supporting Dubai Airports and Sharjah Airport with multiple different services), from managing complex air traffic control operations to delivering end-to-end airport and passenger services. The DWC transformation presents an opportunity to rethink how airports are operated: how data, automation, and talent can be optimised to meet evolving passenger needs, safety standards, and sustainability goals. It also reinforces the need for a highly skilled, locally grounded workforce, which is why our investments in nationalisation, such as training Emirati air traffic controllers and operational leaders, will continue to scale in line with the country's ambitions,' Malem said. Public-private collaboration remains fundamental to the success of national transformation agendas in the region, the Serco Middle East CEO said. 'Given that many of the region's largest organisations are government-owned or backed, the ability of private sector partners to operate in true alignment with public sector goals is what determines long-term impact. Governments are not just looking for service providers, they are looking for partners who understand the national vision, share their values, and bring both global expertise and local commitment to the table. This is particularly critical in sectors like aviation, transport, defence, and citizen services, where the outcomes affect millions of lives and require long-term strategic thinking,' Malem said. Serco has invested significantly in building a pipeline of local talent, not through box-ticking, but through structured programmes that upskill, train, and provide meaningful, international-standard experience to Emirati and Saudi nationals. 'Collaboration, when built on trust and mutual purpose, becomes a multiplier. It allows us to move faster, operate smarter, and create shared outcomes. In this region, where ambition is high and transformation is constant, public-private partnerships, grounded in capability and integrity, are the engine that will power sustainable progress,' Malem said. As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly part of our day-to-day lives, the expectations around customer experience are evolving at an unprecedented pace. 'For companies operating in the UAE and across the GCC, the challenge is twofold: how do you harness cutting-edge technology like AI, while maintaining the empathy and understanding that truly great experiences are built on? I believe the answer lies in blending technological innovation with human insight, which is exactly what we've set out to do through our recently launched company, +impact, Serco's advisory business,' Malem said. Through +impact, Serco is focused on delivering measurable, purpose-driven outcomes. 'One of our core services at +impact is advisory within the customer experience space, and we bring deep expertise in behavioural insight, service design, and user experience, enabling us to map real customer journeys and design solutions that anticipate needs - not just respond to them. It allows us to embed empathy and innovation directly into service delivery, creating experiences that build trust, satisfaction, and long-term loyalty,' Malem said. But AI alone isn't enough. It must be paired with strong human understanding and strategic advisory capability. 'This is where I see this convergence of AI, data, design, and operational excellence as the future of service delivery. We are proud to make an impact across governments and organisations across the region as they lead the way in defining what exceptional, human-centred experiences look like in the digital age,' Malem said.