Gulf International Bank Participates as Strategic Partner at Bahrain FinTech Forum

Gulf International Bank (GIB) participated as a Strategic Partner at the Bahrain Association of Banks (BAB) Annual Forum, which this year focused on "FinTech: Opportunities and Challenges for Bahrain’s banking industry.  The Forum was held at the Gulf Hotel in Manama under the patronage of the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB) and was inaugurated by its Governor, His Excellency Rasheed Al Maraj. 

Having launched Bahrain’s first fully digital bank, “meem”, earlier in the year, GIB has been among the pioneering banks in the Kingdom in terms of FinTech innovation. Taking part in the Forum, which discussed the future of the banking industry amid FinTech developments, was Mr. Ali Achkar, Head of Strategy and Center of Excellence at GIB. Speaking on the panel addressing “The Relationship Between Banks and FinTechs,” Mr. Achkar shared GIB’s experience and views on Fintech innovation by banks more broadly.

GIB also participated in the Forum’s exhibition, where members of its "meem" team were on hand to share with attendees and customers the power and ease of GIB’s e-banking and mobile digital services.

Other topics addressed at the Forum was the need for further investment in  technology, how to foster a stronger FinTech ecosystem, legal and regulatory frameworks and the human resources gap that exists in this area

In line with its commitment to further FinTech development, GIB is continuing to build its digital banking platform. Today, through “meem”, the Bank already offers a 24/7 service model on its innovative mobile app and web banking portal that allows customers to open and manage their accounts and conduct everyday transactions through  online channels. It also offers a range of digital support services such as a video contact centre, e-mail, web chat and social media, making banking with ,”meem”  simple and user friendly.