From NFC-powered teller machines to AI-driven financial assistants, the bank is shaping the future of ethical, seamless payments in the GCC
As Mena banks seek to combine digital speed with religious compliance, Kuwait’s Boubyan Bank is pushing the boundaries of what Islamic digital banking can achieve. In a region where mobile-first experiences and real-time transactions are becoming the new norm, the bank has differentiated itself through a portfolio of sharia-compliant digital payment solutions that rival the best in the sector.

Omni-channel depth
Boubyan Bank’s success lies in its ability to unify innovation across both customer-facing and backend systems. In 2024, the bank launched key upgrades to its omnichannel architecture, enabling customers to transition between mobile app, branch and call centre channels with uninterrupted service. This includes deep-linking for app-based onboarding, QR-enabled instant card issuance and real-time payment alerts. These systems now support everyday services ranging from international remittances to murabaha-based digital financing.

Meanwhile, Boubyan Bank’s AI-powered assistant Musaed has evolved beyond chatbot status to become an integrated digital concierge. In addition to executing transactions, Musaed now facilitates Ramadan gamified campaigns, job interview services and interactive banking summaries, all accessible via WhatsApp or the bank app. This conversational interface enhances customer engagement while streamlining the user experience.

Payments with purpose
Within its core platforms, Boubyan Bank has doubled down on inclusive, digitally native payment tools. The Retail App’s PayMe feature remains one of Kuwait’s top-rated peer-to-peer transfer systems, while the Business App caters to SMEs through tools such as eRent for landlords and ePay Mandoob for delegated staff payments. The bank’s wearable payment technology, multi-currency card offerings and support for salary advances via app all add to its holistic ecosystem.

Importantly, these services are built on ethical finance principles. The bank continues to expand features such as Digital Murabaha and its Salary-in-Advance tool, ensuring Islamic financing mechanisms are accessible through frictionless digital journeys. Boubyan Bank was also the first in the region to enable debit card issuance via NFC-equipped ATMs and interactive teller machines (ITM) while offering sharia-aligned credit split options through its Easy Payment Plan.

Dual recognition
Boubyan Bank’s fusion of Islamic values and digital convenience is setting a new benchmark for Islamic fintech in the GCC. Its multi-layered approach to customer-centric innovation spans AI, mobile and SME platforms, and has earned the bank recognition in two strategic categories – Best Digital Payments Platform and Excellence in Islamic Payment Innovation at the Mena Banking Excellence Awards 2025 – Retail, Digital & SME.

The bank is bridging liquidity gaps and scaling inclusion to advance Egypt’s banking priorities
As banking markets in the Gulf and wider Mena region double down on SME support, liquidity resilience and digitised trade finance, Egypt’s private banks are increasingly aligning with these regional imperatives. Among them, Commercial International Bank (CIB) Egypt is emerging as a strategic player, advancing financial inclusion and digital innovation in one of the region’s most complex economies.

Driving digital ecosystems
In 2024, CIB Egypt accelerated its transformation agenda through a unique fusion of traditional banking excellence and digital infrastructure. At the centre is the bank’s e-Supply Chain Finance (e-SCF) platform, which as Egypt’s first digital trade financing solution of its kind, enables corporate buyers and SME suppliers to streamline invoice exchange, credit requests and early payments via a unified interface. The platform supports transactions in both local and foreign currencies and caters to a wide range of working capital needs, from purchase orders to warehouse inventory financing.

With a 108% year-on-year increase in total bookings and a 60% rise in transaction volumes, the platform is reshaping how credit flows through Egyptian value chains. By year-end 2024, total SCF loan bookings had surpassed £E6bn ($117.8m), with more than 40 companies onboarded. These outcomes reflect both market demand and CIB Egypt’s ability to bridge liquidity gaps without compromising supplier health or buyer performance.

Seamless experiences
In parallel, the bank has continued to reinforce its leadership in SME banking. Its SME loan book expanded by 44% in 2024 to reach £E12.4bn, while deposits rose by 51% to £E90.8bn. Trade finance activity also grew by 36%, underscoring CIB Egypt’s role in supporting cross-border business. Relationship-led services, bolstered by a workforce of more than 400 and a digital-first infrastructure that now powers 93% of transfers online, have enabled the bank to offer seamless experiences across all SME segments.

Product innovations such as ‘Flash Cash’ for small businesses and gender-inclusive lending platforms have further advanced financial accessibility. Loans to women-led businesses reached £E2.5bn, accounting for nearly 15% of the SME portfolio. Meanwhile, new credit risk guarantee agreements with the European Bank for Reconstruction & Development (EBRD), Dutch Entrepreneurial Development Bank (FMO) and US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) have unlocked more than $140m in SME lending capacity, particularly for underserved sectors.

Scaling impact
Beyond finance, CIB Egypt has leveraged partnerships with insurers, development institutions and fintechs to offer a full SME value proposition. Whether providing payment terminals to mobile businesses or enabling East African exports for local manufacturers, the bank has combined digital scale with contextual service. The e-SCF platform, meanwhile, continues to serve as a digital anchor for onboarding new customers, enriching procurement strategies and driving down financing costs.

These efforts have earned CIB Egypt the accolades of Best SME Bank – Egypt and Excellence in Supply Chain Financing at the Mena Banking Excellence Awards 2025 – Retail, SME & Digital.

The bank’s 2024 transformation has delivered instant credit access, AI-powered rewards and app-based card issuance as a strategy to streamline digital access
As the GCC banking sector accelerates digitisation, institutions are investing in mobile ecosystems to improve engagement, simplify credit access and meet rising consumer expectations. For Islamic banks in particular, the challenge lies in aligning sharia-compliant services with seamless, technology-driven experiences that meet international digital standards.

Qatar-based Dukhan Bank’s 2024 digital strategy was built around its mobile banking app, which was rebuilt using Flutter, Google’s cross-platform framework. The app now supports a full range of banking services including fund transfers, cardless withdrawals and instant digital card issuance. Additional services include Western Union remittances and lifestyle functions such as branch locators, prayer times and donation tools. Together, these features reflect both global functionality and Islamic banking priorities.

Instant access to finance
The app integrates real-time, pre-approved financing features, allowing customers to access finance or apply for credit cards in a few taps. This is enabled by Dukhan Bank’s partnership with Mastercard’s Digital First programme, making it the first bank in Qatar to offer instant issuance of prepaid digital cards. These cards are compatible with Apple Pay, Fitbit Pay and Garmin Pay, and are supported by numberless physical card options for added security.

Loyalty powered by data
The DAwards rewards platform offers the highest Avios redemption rate among Qatari banks. Customers can redeem points across flights, hotel bookings, car hires and e-vouchers. Cashback programmes have also evolved from flat welcome offers to personalised rewards tailored to spending behaviour. New customers receive up to 15% cashback, with future offers adjusted using AI-led analytics.

Digital infrastructure upgrades
In parallel, Dukhan Bank has rolled out Smart Kiosks to allow 24/7 printing of debit, credit and prepaid cards without branch visits. This initiative, along with the wider mobile banking enhancements, reflects a shift towards self-service infrastructure. These moves are backed by strong financials, with the bank posting a QR1.3bn ($366.1m) profit in 2024 and closing a $800m sukuk that attracted $2.6bn in demand.

Dukhan Bank’s combination of intelligent personalisation, digital infrastructure and accessible finance has earned it the Best Digital Transformation Initiative award at the Mena Banking Excellence Awards 2025 – Retail, Digital & SME.

Backed by rapid expansion, lifestyle-linked products and app-led engagement, the bank is redefining how mobile-first banks compete at scale across the Mena region
As the Mena banking industry pivots towards hyper-personalisation and mobile-first services, digital-only banks are no longer seen as niche challengers but as core innovators. Bahrain’s Ila Bank, launched in 2019 as the region’s first cloud-native mobile bank, has since proven fully digital models can drive both customer satisfaction and measurable impact. This is particularly notable in markets historically reliant on branch-led banking.

Ila Bank’s strategy has centred on removing friction across the customer journey. Its mobile platform, rebuilt over 154 releases since launch, including 47 in 2024, now enables everything from three-minute digital onboarding to eight-currency cards and seamless local and international transfers. With tools such as Hassala automated saving pots, Jamiyah social saving solution and Al Kanz prize-linked accounts, the bank has reframed saving as an intuitive and rewarding experience.

Expanding ecosystem
In 2024, Ila Bank introduced a series of enhancements including a flexible Easy Payment Plan, Samsung Wallet integration and monthly payout options for fixed deposits and Islamic investments. The launch of the Ila Rewards programme has brought customisation to the forefront, enabling users to toggle between cashback, air miles and lifestyle redemptions. The bank has also introduced a digital gateway for investing in government securities, eliminating paperwork and offering real-time updates with zero custody fees.

Wider impact
Beyond features, Ila Bank’s scale and demographic reach have grown significantly. The bank now serves more than a third of Bahrain’s bankable population and had processed 14.4% of the country’s Fawri+ bank transfers by May 2024. Customer onboarding rose by 530% in 2023, with notable traction among previously underserved groups. Customers aged 50 and above, traditionally less engaged with mobile banking, grew by 679% in just one year. The bank’s app maintains a 4.8 rating on the Apple Store and 4.5 on Google Play.

Regional momentum
Following strong performances in Bahrain and Jordan, a key milestone was the launch of the Bank ABC app in Egypt leveraging Ila’s digital capabilities. Ila Bank also has plans for further expansions into Algeria and Tunisia. This regional push aligns with its mission to expand access to secure, mobile-first banking services in markets with limited digital penetration. Backed by parent group Bank ABC, Ila Bank is building a retail footprint that pairs agile product development with large-scale ambition.

Recognised for reshaping the consumer banking landscape, Ila Bank has been named Mena Retail Bank of the Year at the Mena Banking Excellence Awards 2025 – Retail, Digital & SME for its bold reinvention of retail finance in the digital age.

The bank is setting a new standard for retail banking in Kuwait through integrated payment innovation, streamlined lending and the country’s most expansive SME banking platform
Across the Gulf, banks are navigating a sharp pivot toward digitalisation, financial inclusion and SME growth as national development strategies accelerate. National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) has emerged as a market leader by translating these priorities into a cohesive retail banking strategy; one that combines fintech-driven innovation, digital-first lending and deep-rooted SME support.

NBK has positioned its mobile app at the core of its banking ecosystem, with digital financial transactions increased sixfold in the past five years maintaining 91% customer satisfaction rate.

Reimagining payments
NBK has reshaped contactless banking with full wallet integration with Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, Fitbit and more, across its 20+ debit, credit and prepaid cards. Real-time P2P transfers are enabled via Quick Pay and QR payments. Regionally, the bank has launched AFAQ, the GCC’s unified payment system, for cross-border transfers and WAMD for instant domestic transactions. Its acquisition of uPayments has enabled bank-agnostic gateways and frictionless SME checkout experiences.
SMEs benefit from commercial cashback cards, tailored debit solutions and relationship management via WhatsApp. Initiatives such as Business Banking Plus and a Virtual Relationship Officer hub combine scale with personalised service.

Lending redefined
NBK’s digital loan journey from application to repayment now takes just two days, with projected growth of over 20% in the coming year driven by customer demand for speed and convenience. Its loan portfolio spans personal, SME and green finance, with products including electric vehicles (EV) and energy-efficient home loans.

Retail at every touchpoint
NBK’s multi-channel strategy offers seamless customer access. The bank runs with specialised branches for high-net-worth and underbanked segments. Flagship products such as the 247 cashback Visa Platinum Prepaid Card and the Al Jawhara Saver range, including the country’s first prize-linked junior account, show NBK’s focus on full lifecycle engagement.

The bank’s strategic execution has earned it five honours at the Mena Banking Excellence Awards 2025 – Retail, Digital & SME: Best Retail Bank – Kuwait, Best SME Bank – Kuwait, Best Contactless Payment Experience, Best Payment Solution for SMEs and Best Loan Offering.

Mena Retail Banker of the Year: Mohammed Al-Othman
Few bankers in the region have shaped the future of retail banking quite like Mohammed Al-Othman. As CEO of consumer and digital banking at NBK and chairman of Kuwait National Electronic Banking Services Company (KNET), Al-Othman has fused scale, technology and strategic foresight to modernise Kuwait banks and change what customers expect from their financial institutions.
At the heart of his vision is Weyay, Kuwait’s first fully digital bank. Born from a bold bet on digital-native banking, Weyay has not only captured the Gen Z segment, it has set the standard for what branchless banking can deliver. Under Al-Othman’s leadership, NBK has also deployed more than 150 mobile features, launched Kuwait’s first cashback commercial card for SMEs and reimagined flagship propositions such as Al-Jawhara with new savings tiers and prize mechanics.

Yet his impact extends beyond product. By modernising NBK’s global contact centre with the latest technology into a revenue contribution channel and pushing for wallet and QR integration through KNET, Al-Othman has laid the groundwork for Kuwait’s broader cashless transition. He leads a team of more than 1,800 and oversees Kuwait’s largest retail banking network – a scale matched by his appetite for change.

The Mena Retail Banker of the Year award recognises not just innovation, but influence. Al-Othman’s leadership has delivered measurable gains for NBK and set a precedent for retail banking transformation across the Mena region.

By weaving environmental action into everyday finance, the bank is crafting a new narrative for Islamic digital banking in the region

In a region where sustainable banking is becoming a strategic lever for differentiation, the UAE’s Ruya has taken a bold leap by embedding environmental conservation directly into its customer savings model. The bank’s launch in 2024 of the NatureProtect initiative reflects a broader ambition to align Islamic financial values with real-world action, positioning itself as both a digital challenger brand and thought leader in ethical Islamic banking.

Purpose meets product

NatureProtect means that for every AED 1,000 ($272.30), Ruya conserves a square foot of primary forest for 10 years. This linkage between deposits and conservation is more than symbolic as it is operationalised within the Ruya app, where users can track their ‘Forest Conservation’ balance alongside their financial one. In doing so, Ruya ensures sustainability is not just a corporate message but a customer experience.

The environmental returns from NatureProtect are equally tangible. By safeguarding primary forests – vital carbon sinks and biodiversity hotspots – Ruya is helping mitigate emissions and support global climate action. These outcomes are verified through partnerships with internationally recognised conservation organisations, lending credibility and impact to every customer contribution.

Customer-led innovation

Ruya’s vision of environmental stewardship is not just corporate; it is deeply participatory. According to internal survey data, 85% of customers said the NatureProtect programme influenced their decision to bank with Ruya. This early traction is underpinned by the 60,000 customers and within the first year of the initiative’s launch. NatureProtect has successfully driven not just engagement but loyalty, particularly among younger and sustainability-conscious demographics.

Building systems, not slogans

Behind the scenes, Ruya has tackled key challenges to make NatureProtect viable, from forging partnerships with reputable conservation organisations to addressing customer education around green banking. The result is a solution that balances environmental integrity with business growth.

In-app education and campaigns have helped bridge awareness gaps, while internal alignment has ensured environmental goals have not come at the cost of financial performance. This approach has not only ensured operational feasibility but also established a scalable blueprint for integrating corporate social responsibility (CSR) into core banking operations.

A model for future banking

NatureProtect is helping shift expectations around what a digital bank can achieve, not just through product innovation but through purpose-led business design. The initiative has already influenced other institutions in the region to consider similar programmes, further amplifying its impact. By connecting financial behaviour with environmental responsibility, Ruya is demonstrating a scalable, values-driven path for digital banks – one that blends profit with purpose.

These achievements have seen Ruya Bank recognised with the Best CSR Initiative award at the Mena Banking Excellence Awards 2025 – Retail, Digital & SME.

From NFC-powered teller machines to AI-driven financial assistants, the bank is shaping the future of ethical, seamless payments in the GCC
As Mena banks seek to combine digital speed with religious compliance, Kuwait’s Boubyan Bank is pushing the boundaries of what Islamic digital banking can achieve. In a region where mobile-first experiences and real-time transactions are becoming the new norm, the bank has differentiated itself through a portfolio of sharia-compliant digital payment solutions that rival the best in the sector.

Omni-channel depth
Boubyan Bank’s success lies in its ability to unify innovation across both customer-facing and backend systems. In 2024, the bank launched key upgrades to its omnichannel architecture, enabling customers to transition between mobile app, branch and call centre channels with uninterrupted service. This includes deep-linking for app-based onboarding, QR-enabled instant card issuance and real-time payment alerts. These systems now support everyday services ranging from international remittances to murabaha-based digital financing.

Meanwhile, Boubyan Bank’s AI-powered assistant Musaed has evolved beyond chatbot status to become an integrated digital concierge. In addition to executing transactions, Musaed now facilitates Ramadan gamified campaigns, job interview services and interactive banking summaries, all accessible via WhatsApp or the bank app. This conversational interface enhances customer engagement while streamlining the user experience.

Payments with purpose
Within its core platforms, Boubyan Bank has doubled down on inclusive, digitally native payment tools. The Retail App’s PayMe feature remains one of Kuwait’s top-rated peer-to-peer transfer systems, while the Business App caters to SMEs through tools such as eRent for landlords and ePay Mandoob for delegated staff payments. The bank’s wearable payment technology, multi-currency card offerings and support for salary advances via app all add to its holistic ecosystem.

Importantly, these services are built on ethical finance principles. The bank continues to expand features such as Digital Murabaha and its Salary-in-Advance tool, ensuring Islamic financing mechanisms are accessible through frictionless digital journeys. Boubyan Bank was also the first in the region to enable debit card issuance via NFC-equipped ATMs and interactive teller machines (ITM) while offering sharia-aligned credit split options through its Easy Payment Plan.

Dual recognition
Boubyan Bank’s fusion of Islamic values and digital convenience is setting a new benchmark for Islamic fintech in the GCC. Its multi-layered approach to customer-centric innovation spans AI, mobile and SME platforms, and has earned the bank recognition in two strategic categories – Best Digital Payments Platform and Excellence in Islamic Payment Innovation at the Mena Banking Excellence Awards 2025 – Retail, Digital & SME.

The bank is bridging liquidity gaps and scaling inclusion to advance Egypt’s banking priorities
As banking markets in the Gulf and wider Mena region double down on SME support, liquidity resilience and digitised trade finance, Egypt’s private banks are increasingly aligning with these regional imperatives. Among them, Commercial International Bank (CIB) Egypt is emerging as a strategic player, advancing financial inclusion and digital innovation in one of the region’s most complex economies.

Driving digital ecosystems
In 2024, CIB Egypt accelerated its transformation agenda through a unique fusion of traditional banking excellence and digital infrastructure. At the centre is the bank’s e-Supply Chain Finance (e-SCF) platform, which as Egypt’s first digital trade financing solution of its kind, enables corporate buyers and SME suppliers to streamline invoice exchange, credit requests and early payments via a unified interface. The platform supports transactions in both local and foreign currencies and caters to a wide range of working capital needs, from purchase orders to warehouse inventory financing.

With a 108% year-on-year increase in total bookings and a 60% rise in transaction volumes, the platform is reshaping how credit flows through Egyptian value chains. By year-end 2024, total SCF loan bookings had surpassed £E6bn ($117.8m), with more than 40 companies onboarded. These outcomes reflect both market demand and CIB Egypt’s ability to bridge liquidity gaps without compromising supplier health or buyer performance.

Seamless experiences
In parallel, the bank has continued to reinforce its leadership in SME banking. Its SME loan book expanded by 44% in 2024 to reach £E12.4bn, while deposits rose by 51% to £E90.8bn. Trade finance activity also grew by 36%, underscoring CIB Egypt’s role in supporting cross-border business. Relationship-led services, bolstered by a workforce of more than 400 and a digital-first infrastructure that now powers 93% of transfers online, have enabled the bank to offer seamless experiences across all SME segments.

Product innovations such as ‘Flash Cash’ for small businesses and gender-inclusive lending platforms have further advanced financial accessibility. Loans to women-led businesses reached £E2.5bn, accounting for nearly 15% of the SME portfolio. Meanwhile, new credit risk guarantee agreements with the European Bank for Reconstruction & Development (EBRD), Dutch Entrepreneurial Development Bank (FMO) and US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) have unlocked more than $140m in SME lending capacity, particularly for underserved sectors.

Scaling impact
Beyond finance, CIB Egypt has leveraged partnerships with insurers, development institutions and fintechs to offer a full SME value proposition. Whether providing payment terminals to mobile businesses or enabling East African exports for local manufacturers, the bank has combined digital scale with contextual service. The e-SCF platform, meanwhile, continues to serve as a digital anchor for onboarding new customers, enriching procurement strategies and driving down financing costs.

These efforts have earned CIB Egypt the accolades of Best SME Bank – Egypt and Excellence in Supply Chain Financing at the Mena Banking Excellence Awards 2025 – Retail, SME & Digital.

The bank’s 2024 transformation has delivered instant credit access, AI-powered rewards and app-based card issuance as a strategy to streamline digital access
As the GCC banking sector accelerates digitisation, institutions are investing in mobile ecosystems to improve engagement, simplify credit access and meet rising consumer expectations. For Islamic banks in particular, the challenge lies in aligning sharia-compliant services with seamless, technology-driven experiences that meet international digital standards.

Qatar-based Dukhan Bank’s 2024 digital strategy was built around its mobile banking app, which was rebuilt using Flutter, Google’s cross-platform framework. The app now supports a full range of banking services including fund transfers, cardless withdrawals and instant digital card issuance. Additional services include Western Union remittances and lifestyle functions such as branch locators, prayer times and donation tools. Together, these features reflect both global functionality and Islamic banking priorities.

Instant access to finance
The app integrates real-time, pre-approved financing features, allowing customers to access finance or apply for credit cards in a few taps. This is enabled by Dukhan Bank’s partnership with Mastercard’s Digital First programme, making it the first bank in Qatar to offer instant issuance of prepaid digital cards. These cards are compatible with Apple Pay, Fitbit Pay and Garmin Pay, and are supported by numberless physical card options for added security.

Loyalty powered by data
The DAwards rewards platform offers the highest Avios redemption rate among Qatari banks. Customers can redeem points across flights, hotel bookings, car hires and e-vouchers. Cashback programmes have also evolved from flat welcome offers to personalised rewards tailored to spending behaviour. New customers receive up to 15% cashback, with future offers adjusted using AI-led analytics.

Digital infrastructure upgrades
In parallel, Dukhan Bank has rolled out Smart Kiosks to allow 24/7 printing of debit, credit and prepaid cards without branch visits. This initiative, along with the wider mobile banking enhancements, reflects a shift towards self-service infrastructure. These moves are backed by strong financials, with the bank posting a QR1.3bn ($366.1m) profit in 2024 and closing a $800m sukuk that attracted $2.6bn in demand.

Dukhan Bank’s combination of intelligent personalisation, digital infrastructure and accessible finance has earned it the Best Digital Transformation Initiative award at the Mena Banking Excellence Awards 2025 – Retail, Digital & SME.

Backed by rapid expansion, lifestyle-linked products and app-led engagement, the bank is redefining how mobile-first banks compete at scale across the Mena region
As the Mena banking industry pivots towards hyper-personalisation and mobile-first services, digital-only banks are no longer seen as niche challengers but as core innovators. Bahrain’s Ila Bank, launched in 2019 as the region’s first cloud-native mobile bank, has since proven fully digital models can drive both customer satisfaction and measurable impact. This is particularly notable in markets historically reliant on branch-led banking.

Ila Bank’s strategy has centred on removing friction across the customer journey. Its mobile platform, rebuilt over 154 releases since launch, including 47 in 2024, now enables everything from three-minute digital onboarding to eight-currency cards and seamless local and international transfers. With tools such as Hassala automated saving pots, Jamiyah social saving solution and Al Kanz prize-linked accounts, the bank has reframed saving as an intuitive and rewarding experience.

Expanding ecosystem
In 2024, Ila Bank introduced a series of enhancements including a flexible Easy Payment Plan, Samsung Wallet integration and monthly payout options for fixed deposits and Islamic investments. The launch of the Ila Rewards programme has brought customisation to the forefront, enabling users to toggle between cashback, air miles and lifestyle redemptions. The bank has also introduced a digital gateway for investing in government securities, eliminating paperwork and offering real-time updates with zero custody fees.

Wider impact
Beyond features, Ila Bank’s scale and demographic reach have grown significantly. The bank now serves more than a third of Bahrain’s bankable population and had processed 14.4% of the country’s Fawri+ bank transfers by May 2024. Customer onboarding rose by 530% in 2023, with notable traction among previously underserved groups. Customers aged 50 and above, traditionally less engaged with mobile banking, grew by 679% in just one year. The bank’s app maintains a 4.8 rating on the Apple Store and 4.5 on Google Play.

Regional momentum
Following strong performances in Bahrain and Jordan, a key milestone was the launch of the Bank ABC app in Egypt leveraging Ila’s digital capabilities. Ila Bank also has plans for further expansions into Algeria and Tunisia. This regional push aligns with its mission to expand access to secure, mobile-first banking services in markets with limited digital penetration. Backed by parent group Bank ABC, Ila Bank is building a retail footprint that pairs agile product development with large-scale ambition.

Recognised for reshaping the consumer banking landscape, Ila Bank has been named Mena Retail Bank of the Year at the Mena Banking Excellence Awards 2025 – Retail, Digital & SME for its bold reinvention of retail finance in the digital age.

The bank is setting a new standard for retail banking in Kuwait through integrated payment innovation, streamlined lending and the country’s most expansive SME banking platform
Across the Gulf, banks are navigating a sharp pivot toward digitalisation, financial inclusion and SME growth as national development strategies accelerate. National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) has emerged as a market leader by translating these priorities into a cohesive retail banking strategy; one that combines fintech-driven innovation, digital-first lending and deep-rooted SME support.

NBK has positioned its mobile app at the core of its banking ecosystem, with digital financial transactions increased sixfold in the past five years maintaining 91% customer satisfaction rate.

Reimagining payments
NBK has reshaped contactless banking with full wallet integration with Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, Fitbit and more, across its 20+ debit, credit and prepaid cards. Real-time P2P transfers are enabled via Quick Pay and QR payments. Regionally, the bank has launched AFAQ, the GCC’s unified payment system, for cross-border transfers and WAMD for instant domestic transactions. Its acquisition of uPayments has enabled bank-agnostic gateways and frictionless SME checkout experiences.
SMEs benefit from commercial cashback cards, tailored debit solutions and relationship management via WhatsApp. Initiatives such as Business Banking Plus and a Virtual Relationship Officer hub combine scale with personalised service.

Lending redefined
NBK’s digital loan journey from application to repayment now takes just two days, with projected growth of over 20% in the coming year driven by customer demand for speed and convenience. Its loan portfolio spans personal, SME and green finance, with products including electric vehicles (EV) and energy-efficient home loans.

Retail at every touchpoint
NBK’s multi-channel strategy offers seamless customer access. The bank runs with specialised branches for high-net-worth and underbanked segments. Flagship products such as the 247 cashback Visa Platinum Prepaid Card and the Al Jawhara Saver range, including the country’s first prize-linked junior account, show NBK’s focus on full lifecycle engagement.

The bank’s strategic execution has earned it five honours at the Mena Banking Excellence Awards 2025 – Retail, Digital & SME: Best Retail Bank – Kuwait, Best SME Bank – Kuwait, Best Contactless Payment Experience, Best Payment Solution for SMEs and Best Loan Offering.

Mena Retail Banker of the Year: Mohammed Al-Othman
Few bankers in the region have shaped the future of retail banking quite like Mohammed Al-Othman. As CEO of consumer and digital banking at NBK and chairman of Kuwait National Electronic Banking Services Company (KNET), Al-Othman has fused scale, technology and strategic foresight to modernise Kuwait banks and change what customers expect from their financial institutions.
At the heart of his vision is Weyay, Kuwait’s first fully digital bank. Born from a bold bet on digital-native banking, Weyay has not only captured the Gen Z segment, it has set the standard for what branchless banking can deliver. Under Al-Othman’s leadership, NBK has also deployed more than 150 mobile features, launched Kuwait’s first cashback commercial card for SMEs and reimagined flagship propositions such as Al-Jawhara with new savings tiers and prize mechanics.

Yet his impact extends beyond product. By modernising NBK’s global contact centre with the latest technology into a revenue contribution channel and pushing for wallet and QR integration through KNET, Al-Othman has laid the groundwork for Kuwait’s broader cashless transition. He leads a team of more than 1,800 and oversees Kuwait’s largest retail banking network – a scale matched by his appetite for change.

The Mena Retail Banker of the Year award recognises not just innovation, but influence. Al-Othman’s leadership has delivered measurable gains for NBK and set a precedent for retail banking transformation across the Mena region.

By weaving environmental action into everyday finance, the bank is crafting a new narrative for Islamic digital banking in the region

In a region where sustainable banking is becoming a strategic lever for differentiation, the UAE’s Ruya has taken a bold leap by embedding environmental conservation directly into its customer savings model. The bank’s launch in 2024 of the NatureProtect initiative reflects a broader ambition to align Islamic financial values with real-world action, positioning itself as both a digital challenger brand and thought leader in ethical Islamic banking.

Purpose meets product

NatureProtect means that for every AED 1,000 ($272.30), Ruya conserves a square foot of primary forest for 10 years. This linkage between deposits and conservation is more than symbolic as it is operationalised within the Ruya app, where users can track their ‘Forest Conservation’ balance alongside their financial one. In doing so, Ruya ensures sustainability is not just a corporate message but a customer experience.

The environmental returns from NatureProtect are equally tangible. By safeguarding primary forests – vital carbon sinks and biodiversity hotspots – Ruya is helping mitigate emissions and support global climate action. These outcomes are verified through partnerships with internationally recognised conservation organisations, lending credibility and impact to every customer contribution.

Customer-led innovation

Ruya’s vision of environmental stewardship is not just corporate; it is deeply participatory. According to internal survey data, 85% of customers said the NatureProtect programme influenced their decision to bank with Ruya. This early traction is underpinned by the 60,000 customers and within the first year of the initiative’s launch. NatureProtect has successfully driven not just engagement but loyalty, particularly among younger and sustainability-conscious demographics.

Building systems, not slogans

Behind the scenes, Ruya has tackled key challenges to make NatureProtect viable, from forging partnerships with reputable conservation organisations to addressing customer education around green banking. The result is a solution that balances environmental integrity with business growth.

In-app education and campaigns have helped bridge awareness gaps, while internal alignment has ensured environmental goals have not come at the cost of financial performance. This approach has not only ensured operational feasibility but also established a scalable blueprint for integrating corporate social responsibility (CSR) into core banking operations.

A model for future banking

NatureProtect is helping shift expectations around what a digital bank can achieve, not just through product innovation but through purpose-led business design. The initiative has already influenced other institutions in the region to consider similar programmes, further amplifying its impact. By connecting financial behaviour with environmental responsibility, Ruya is demonstrating a scalable, values-driven path for digital banks – one that blends profit with purpose.

These achievements have seen Ruya Bank recognised with the Best CSR Initiative award at the Mena Banking Excellence Awards 2025 – Retail, Digital & SME.