Manama – 11 June 2018: Bahrain Association of Banks (BAB) today announced that it will hold its annual industry Forum on 31st October 2018 at the Gulf Hotel addressing FinTech: Opportunities & Challenges for Bahrain’s banking industry. The forum will be under the patronage of Central Bank of Bahrain.
BAB is the leading banking industry association in the Kingdom of Bahrain, licensed by the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB), and is this year launching what will become an annual forum that will each year shine the spotlight on key issues currently shaping the sector. In line with the rapid development of Fintech, both in Bahrain and in regional and international markets, this year’s Forum will look at the impact of emerging financial technologies on Bahraini banks and the future of the industry both from the perspective of institutions and consumers.
The Forum expects to attract more than 300 participants including senior representatives from among BAB’s 52 members, regulators and related third party organizations. The Forum’s agenda consists of high-level keynote speakers, soon to be announced, and a number of panel sessions addressing Fintech in terms of: Education & Human Capital requirements, Legal & Regulatory considerations, Customer Readiness and Best Practices on the local, regional and international levels.
Commenting on the Forum, Mr. Adnan Ahmed Yousif, Chairman of BAB, President and Chief Executive of Al Baraka Banking Group, said, “In line with BAB’s role of championing the development of the industry and driving its evolution, we have ensured that this year’s Forum focuses on one of the industry’s most topical areas – the need and opportunity for banks to develop strategies to harness the power of Fintech. In cooperation with our members, we are working hard to ensure that the programme covers all areas critical for banks as they move to adapt, drive sustainable growth and better meet the needs of customers in today’s increasingly digital era. The theme of this year’s Forum also comes at a time when the Kingdom of Bahrain is not only working hard to continue to reinforce its position as a leading regional banking hub but establish itself as a major centre for Fintech innovation.”
Dr. Waheed Qassim, CEO of BAB, added, “For nearly four decades, BAB has been at the forefront of supporting industry growth and the furthering of Bahrain as a world-class financial jurisdiction. With the vast changes being ushered in due to the strong uptake and demand for digital financial products and services, Fintech is high on the agenda for global banks as well as banks in Bahrain and the region. We are delighted to be hosting this Forum, which we intend to make an annual event, with this year’s focus firmly on the opportunities and challenges facing our members with regard to the adoption of Fintech as well as the readiness and impact on customers.”
BAB, which was established in 1979, provides an open forum where banks can come together to collectively discuss and solve their shared problems. BAB is also actively engaged in promoting banking conferences, exhibitions and seminars, including its annual forum, that bring local, regional and overseas banking delegations to Bahrain and create business opportunities for all members.
For more information about the Forum, please contact FinMark Communications on +973 17749759 or email info@finmarkcoms.com.
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About BAB:
The Bahrain Association of Banks (BAB) was established by a Ministerial decree in 1979, and registered under the central bank of Bahrain in 2010.BAB brings together banking institution of all sizes and charters in kingdom of Bahrain and works towards enhancing Bahrain image as the financial hub of the Middle East.
The Association provides an open forum where banks can come together to collectively discuss and solve their shared problems. BAB is also actively engaged in promoting banking conferences, exhibitions and seminars that bring overseas banking delegations to Bahrain and create business opportunities for all members.
The Bahrain Association of Banks represents and advocates the interests of all the various licensed financial institutions in Bahrain and works closely with the Central Bank of Bahrain and other government authorities at the highest levels on issues of banking policy and regulation, as well as actively promoting Bahrain as an international financial centre.