Al Salam Bank Wins ‘MENA Retail Bank of the Year Award’

Al Salam Bank has been named the ‘MENA Retail Bank of the Year’ for 2023, recognizing the Bank as one of the region’s leading financial institutions. The Award highlights the Bank’s dedication to clients, innovative ‘digital-first’ approach, and continued commitment to sustainable banking.
The MENA Banking Excellence Awards were developed to recognize the achievements of financial institutions in the fast-growing Middle East and North Africa markets, celebrated at the in-person MENA Banking Excellence Summit held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
The Bank’s tranche of innovative products and services have driven client engagement with a range of account options and a variety of card services, providing Al Salam Bank’s clients with unparalleled choices. The Wakala Account is a popular choice among investors, while the Danat Savings Scheme gives savers the chance to win a grand prize of BD 1,000,000 – the largest prize in the Kingdom.
Al Salam Bank’s digital-first mindset and people-centric approach are evident in all its client touchpoints. Its mobile application boasts features that enable users to transfer funds internationally, apply for salary advances, send and redeem e-gifts, and perform all conventional functions expected of a banking application. The Bank’s new investment tool, ‘Al Salam Invest,’ available within the mobile application, has been well received and offers shari’a-compliant investing exclusively for the Bank’s clients. Al Salam Bank has also been instituting automation, increasing digitalization, and reducing paper usage in all of its branches, in line with its aim of enhancing client experiences while also reducing its carbon footprint.
The Bank’s commitment to ESG practices extends to its business clientele. In 2022, Al Ruwad Banking Business Centers were opened to provide bespoke services for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), helping them to grow and flourish.
On this occasion, Mohammed Buhejji, Head of Retail Banking at Al Salam Bank, said: ‘We are honored to receive the ‘MENA Retail Bank of the Year Award.’ This recognition is a testament to the hard work and dedication of Al Salam Bank’s employees, who are committed to providing our clients with diverse and innovative shari’a-compliant products and services. We are delighted that our endeavors have been recognized and will continue to work diligently to meet our client’s ever-evolving needs and expectations.’
Background Information
Al Salam Bank
Al Salam Bank-Bahrain B.S.C (ASBB) is an Islamic bank headquartered in the Kingdom of Bahrain, and licensed and regulated by the Central Bank of Bahrain.
ASBB was established on 19 January 2006 in the Kingdom of Bahrain with paid-up capital of BD 120 million (US$ 318 million) and commenced commercial operations on 17 April 2006. The Bank was listed on Bahrain Bourse on 27 April 2006 and subsequently on the Dubai Financial Market (DFM) on 26 March 2008.
ASBB completed its merger with the Bahraini Saudi Bank (BSB) on 22 December 2011. On 2 February 2014, Al Salam Bank-Bahrain and BMI Bank B.S.C. (c) confirmed the conclusion of a business combination between the two institutions after obtaining the approval of their shareholders at their respective extraordinary general assembly meetings, and of 30 March 2014 BMI Bank became a wholly owned subsidiary of ASBB.
ASBB offers its customers a comprehensive range of innovative and unique Shari’a-compliant financial products and services through an extended network of branches and ATMs, utilizing the state-of-art technologies to meet various banking requirements. In addition to its retail banking services, the Bank also offers Corporate Banking, Private Banking, Asset Management and Treasury services. The Bank's high-caliber management team is comprised of highly qualified and internationally experienced professionals with proven expertise in key areas of banking, finance, and related fields.