Latest news with #NationalBankofBahrain
Bahrain This Week
a day ago
- Business
- Bahrain This Week
NBB Formalises Institutional Partnerships for EVOLVE 2025
The National Bank of Bahrain (NBB) recently hosted a networking event to mark the formalisation of institutional partnerships for the fourth edition of its EVOLVE summer internship programme. The event brought together representatives from participating academic institutions, charitable organisations and training providers, who were given an overview of EVOLVE's evolution, its role in developing Bahrain's future talent, and the collaborative efforts that have contributed to its success over the years. The gathering also saw the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the institutional partners. Partner entities supporting the programme include the Royal Humanitarian Foundation (RHF) and AlMabarrah AlKhalifia Foundation, alongside leading training providers including Emeritus Institute of Management, Bahrain Institute of Banking and Finance (BIBF), INJAZ Bahrain, Bahrain Fintech Bay, Marsh Academy, National Cybersecurity Centre, Mada Translation, American Health Association, and Mumtalakat Bahrain Holding Company. Among the schools, the Ibn Khuldoon National School (IKNS), Bahrain Bayan School, Al Hekma International School, Arabian Pearl Gulf (APG) Private School, Beacon Private School, Naseem International School, St. Christopher's School, British School of Bahrain, American School of Bahrain, Ahlia School, Shaikha Hessa Girls' School, and Sacred Heart School have joined EVOLVE. Meanwhile, the university segment is engaging students from the American University of Bahrain (AUB), Euro University, University of Strathclyde Bahrain, Ahlia University, British University of Bahrain, BIBF, and Bahrain Polytechnic. By partnering with national stakeholders across the education and training ecosystem, NBB continues to invest in future generations through valuable training opportunities that contribute to the Kingdom's broader development goals.
Bahrain This Week
a day ago
- Business
- Bahrain This Week
NBB Crowns First Luxury Villa Winner in Thara'a June Prize
The National Bank of Bahrain (NBB) is pleased to announce Mahmood Ali Zainal as the winner of the June Thara'a Prize Account draw, awarding a luxurious villa in the Al Naseem development in Diyar Al Muharraq. The official handover took place on 17th July, where the winner was celebrated for winning his stunning new home. The draw was conducted on 15th July in the presence of representatives from the Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MOIC), as well as internal and external auditors to ensure full transparency and compliance. Commenting on the occasion, Mr Subah Abdullatif Al Zayani, Chief Executive – Retail Banking at NBB, said, 'Thara'a reflects our commitment towards rewarding financial responsibility with life-changing prizes. Presenting a home to one of our loyal customers is a powerful reminder of the real value of saving, and we are proud to be a part of this special milestone in Mr. Zainal's life. We look forward to celebrating many more winners throughout the year. ' The Thara'a Prize Account continues to be a trusted choice for savers in Bahrain, offering them the opportunity to win 5 seafront villas and cash prizes of over USD 3,000,000 in raffle draws organised throughout the year.
Gulf Insider
2 days ago
- Business
- Gulf Insider
National Bank of Bahrain's Usman Ahmed: leadership outlook
Usman Ahmed, Group Chief Executive Officer of the National Bank of Bahrain, discusses the bank's role in supporting Bahrain's financial stability, its community focus, and how it's embracing digital innovation amid shifting scenarios in this exclusive interview. Now in its third edition, Business Leaders in the Middle East brings together sharp insights from across the region. These aren't mere interviews; they're windows into how leadership is evolving in a world shaped by rapid digital transformation. Technology touches nearly every industry now, and these leaders show us how to navigate change with purpose. The FinTech ecosystem in Bahrainhas flourished thanks to a progressiveregulatory framework. At NBB, We see great value in collaborating with FinTechs to enhance niche customer experiences and expand our offerings. We're exploring partnership models in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, using our commercial banking licences to offer banking as a service. Recently, we partnered with a FinTech to introduce digital ID verification on our retail app. FinTech involvement has broadened the industry's scope, and we remain committed to both partnerships and investing in best-in-class digital services for our customers. As Bahrain's largest domestic bank and a systemically important financial institution, NBB carries a responsibility that goes beyond serving customers, shareholders, and employees. Everything we do, whether it's product development, liquidity management, or resilience planning, supports not only our growth but also the soundness and stability of the broader financial sector. We view challenges as opportunities, always asking how we can better serve our customers and grow sustainably. Today's challenges are deeply tied to the broader environment, including geopolitical shifts. Being prepared for turbulence and adapting to rapidly changing scenarios is crucial. Another significant challenge is balancing innovation with legacy operations. We are rapidly investing in new technologies while still running a full-service bricks and mortar network. Unlike FinTechs, we have an extensive nationwide branch network in Bahrain and also have a presence in the UAE and Saudi Arabia. Whilst this multiplicity of channels offers our diverse customers in Bahrain the ability to choose from the best of both worlds, it comes with its associated challenges from an infrastructure perspective. However, we are proud of the role that the National Bank of Bahrain plays in the wider economy and optimise investments to serve all segments of society. This dual responsibility means we must serve all customer segments across both digital and traditional channels. It's a delicate balancing act but one that's central to our role in supporting a resilient, inclusive, and forward-thinking financial ecosystem in Bahrain and beyond. It all begins with a digital-first mindset. At NBB, we focus on serving customers efficiently and conveniently through mobile platforms. This requires not only technology but also internal capabilities, so we continuously up skill our teams, including AI training and internal innovation contests. We also partner with accelerators to support Bahrain's wider tech ecosystem. Our tech strategy revolves around three pillars: serving customers, running the bank, and protecting it. Across all, we prioritise agility, innovation, and staying ahead of the curve. The scale of personalisation enabled by technology has been surprising. What's fascinating is how its blurred sector boundaries; financial services are no longer delivered just by banks or fintechs. Today, you find them embedded in e-commerce platforms, delivery apps, and even telecom providers. Technology has expanded the landscape, allowing diverse industries to offer financial services through personalised, cross-sector value propositions. Watching this unfold has been remarkable, and the pace of change is accelerating. With AI, we can expect even greater hyper-personalisation in the years to come, reshaping how customers engage with services across the board. The key prediction is to expect the unexpected. Just 12 to 18 months ago, few would have anticipated AI's pivotal role in finance, and that unpredictability will persist. Another major trend is the acceleration of tokenisation. Fractional ownership and using tokens as alternative stores of value or mediums of exchange, whether for retail or corporate clients, will become increasingly significant. Quantum computing is also worth watching. While its real-world applications are still evolving, it holds vast potential to disrupt the sector. Tokenisation seems clearer in its scalability, but quantum computing could well be the next big surprise in financial innovation. Fortunately, since joining NBB, I haven't faced a crisis as massive as the COVID-19 pandemic. However, during the recent geopolitical tensions, we came close. The heightened uncertainty pushed us to activate elements of our crisis management playbook, evaluating business continuity, reassessing physical operations, and strengthening our balance sheet for liquidity and resilience. It was a valuable exercise in preparedness. While every day involves decision-making, it's the tough, unexpected moments that truly test leadership. Responding swiftly, and being ready to take on a crisis are qualities that leaders need to build long before facing a challenge. Engaging both the management team and wider organisation is vital; not just to reach the best decision, but to ensure execution buy-in. I focus on clearly explaining the 'why', listening carefully, and aligning decisions with our long-term vision and strategy. Day to day, prompt decision-making is essential. It's important not to become a bottleneck that slows down progress across the organisation. When we refreshed our organisational values, we identified four key traits. First, agility is essential in an unpredictable, fast-changing environment with new technologies and disruptors. Second, a mindset of innovation, both individually and collectively. Third, ownership – the ability to drive decisions and execution. The fourth trait, undeniably, is collaboration. These qualities underpin effective leadership. and go hand-in-hand with transparency and strong communication. The SME segment is vital for any economy, and at NBB, we are deeply committed to supporting it. We are upgrading our SME business model, designating specific branches across Bahrain as SME centres to provide dedicated services. We are also investing in technology, rolling out our revamped corporate online banking platform for SMEs. Additional relationship managers are being hired, and lending programmes are being revamped and expanded in partnership with Tamkeen, for both NBB and ourIslamic subsidiary, Bahrain Islamic Bank. We are also streamlining SME onboarding through digital platforms. Regionally, in the UAE, we have hired staff focused on SMEs, and in Saudi Arabia, we collaborate with financing companies that serve the sector, supporting them indirectly. Beyond business, NBB allocates up to 5% of net profits annually towards community initiatives, with key focus areas including social welfare, health, youth and education, and national initiatives. We partner with organisations like the Zakat Fund and INJAZ Bahrain, support talent development in the tech sector, and run innovation-focused activities such as hackathons. In health, we fund awareness campaigns, infrastructure, and supplies. We also align with Bahrain's Vision 2030, ensuring our people, capabilities, and sponsorships contribute meaningfully to national development. It's essential to explain changes in the context of the bank's long-term strategy and vision. Organisational structures evolve to enhance focus, launch new business lines or better serve customers. We make sure that every change offers growth, learning, and mobility opportunities. Clear communication and a sincere purpose help ensure changes benefit both the organisation and individuals, while improving customer service. More Insights
Daily Tribune
20-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Tribune
Bahrain Set to Launch Digital Management System for Non-Profit Organizations
The Ministry of Social Development is preparing to launch a new electronic system designed to streamline the management of charitable and civil organizations across the Kingdom. Assistant Undersecretary for Community Development, Inas Mohammed Al Majed, confirmed that the new system—currently in its final stages of development—marks a significant step in upgrading the digital infrastructure that supports non-profit organizations. 'This initiative reflects the Ministry's commitment to building an advanced digital environment that keeps pace with Bahrain's broader digital transformation goals,' she said. The system aims to simplify procedures, speed up services, and enhance transparency by enabling organizations to manage their operations more efficiently through electronic documentation and monitoring tools. Al Majed emphasized that the platform was developed in close collaboration with civil society partners, showcasing a strong spirit of cooperation in supporting community development efforts. She also expressed appreciation for the support of the National Bank of Bahrain and the technical expertise of Otyaf eSolutions, the company implementing the project. 'This is not just a digital upgrade,' Al Majed noted. 'It's about making daily operations easier for associations and promoting accountability and good governance at all levels.' The launch follows a formal agreement signed between the Ministry, private sector companies, and civil society organizations. This partnership highlights the country's growing emphasis on public-private collaboration to support social progress through digital solutions. The Ministry confirmed it will continue to improve its digital services to ensure that non-profit groups can operate more effectively and stay connected with government systems, benefiting the broader Bahraini community.
Daily Tribune
20-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Tribune
NBB Builds Talent Partnerships Bahrain's Youth Pipeline Strengthens as NBB Rallies Education Powerhouses Behind EVOLVE
TDT | Manama The National Bank of Bahrain (NBB) has formalised new partnerships with a wide range of institutions for the 2025 edition of its flagship internship initiative, EVOLVE, reinforcing its role as a key driver of youth development in the Kingdom. At a dedicated networking event in Manama, NBB signed Memoranda of Understanding with several academic institutions, training providers, and national organisations, further embedding EVOLVE into Bahrain's long-term education and employment landscape. With its expanding partnerships, NBB is strengthening its social impact footprint, offering structured internship pathways that connect students with real-world learning experiences. The initiative stands out not only for its scale but also for its inclusive approach that spans both private and public sector institutions. Strategic Commitment Attendees were briefed on the programme's evolution, its contribution to national talent-building efforts, and its growing network of supporters. Among the partners onboarded are the Royal Humanitarian Foundation, AlMabarrah AlKhalifia Foundation, and major training entities such as: Bahrain Institute of Banking and Finance (BIBF) Bahrain Fintech Bay INJAZ Bahrain Emeritus Institute of Management National Cybersecurity Centre Corporate and specialist partners like Marsh Academy, Mada Translation, American Health Association, and Mumtalakat Holding Company also joined the initiative. NBB's move reflects an emerging model in Bahrain's corporate landscape, where banks and large institutions are taking on broader developmental roles in line with national strategies. Schools and Universities This year's EVOLVE cohort includes students from prominent schools such as: Ibn Khuldoon National School Bahrain Bayan School Al Hekma International School Sacred Heart School British School of Bahrain American School of Bahrain On the university front, participants include: American University of Bahrain Bahrain Polytechnic Ahlia University Euro University British University of Bahrain Collaborative Ecosystem By bringing together key players across education, training, and industry, the EVOLVE programme continues to align with Bahrain's vision to empower youth with future-ready skills and professional exposure. The EVOLVE 2025 edition demonstrates NBB's commitment to fostering a capable and competitive national workforce.
