Staying Ahead: Bank of Bahrain & Kuwait's Yaser Alsharifi
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.
People are my top priority – our employees and our customers. BBK is a strong, successful institution, and change can be challenging when things are going well. I focused on understanding what drives our employees, identifying their pain points, and creating a workplace they can truly be proud of. That internal alignment lays the foundation for exceptional customer experiences and, ultimately, enduring value for our stakeholders.
BBK has traditionally promoted leaders from within, so joining as an external hire meant I had to earn trust quickly. I made it a priority to invest in relationships, formally and informally. Thankfully, the team was welcoming, and we hit the ground running. Their professionalism ensured the bank never missed a beat. That consistency gave us a solid foundation to evolve and innovate without disrupting what already works well.
This was a strategic fit. BBK has long had deep roots in Bahrain, serving individuals, SMEs, large corporations, and government-related entities. But Bahrain isn't just home to citizens, it's a vibrant, diverse expat community as well. HSBC's portfolio allowed us to strengthen our presence across both segments. We saw it as a natural extension of our mission: to serve the entire community with reliable, high-quality banking services.
We are working to make the transition as smooth as possible. We are not just inheriting customers; we are welcoming new relationships. Many of HSBC's retail staff will join BBK, so familiar faces will stay. We have prioritised seamless system integration and service continuity. We are also developing solutions that reflect global transaction needs, especially for customers who value HSBC's international reach. BBK already offers comparable products, and we are committed to enhancing them in ways that feel natural and genuinely useful.
BBK is deeply rooted in the local community, and this bond influences how we operate, both digitally and in our physical branches. We take pride in offering services that are friendly, reliable, and tailored. As a smaller institution, we are agile. We adapt quickly, respond to change, and work hard to earn and retain customer loyalty.
Our core values – trust, discretion, and professionalism – are non-negotiable. These are not abstract ideals; they are evident in every interaction, especially as we welcome new clients transitioning from HSBC.
We are transforming our decision-making by using data and analytics to guide every move because, without measurement, there is no progress. Technology drives this evolution. Our goal is to become Bahrain's most responsive bank across all touchpoints. That includes embedded finance, smarter digital channels, and AI that personalises services without compromising security. We are building a bank that understands your needs before you even ask.
We focus on three core areas. First, we are exploring digital assets, an emerging space where we are working closely with regulators and partners to learn how to serve our customers safely.
Second, we are expanding embedded finance. This involves teaming up with fintech, telecom and retail companies to deliver seamless, intuitive services wherever customers are. To support this, we are investing in digital tools like API ready systems that make these partnerships effective.
Third, we see tremendous potential in AI. From enhancing customer support and boosting productivity to detecting fraud, AI enables us to serve more intelligently.
Our goal is to support customers throughout their financial journey, whether they are starting a savings account, buying a home or launching a business. We are also committed to helping SMEs thrive. They power the economy, and by equipping them with smarter tools for payroll, reconciliation and growth, we help turn their big ideas into lasting success.
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'Subsequent to the quarter end, the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB) has approved the transfer of HSBC Bank Middle East, Bahrain Branch's retail (consumer) banking operation to BBK and we have identified that completion of the transfer will take place by the fourth quarter of 2025. We are thrilled to welcome HSBC Bahrain's retail customers and employees to the BBK family and commit to a seamless integration. This transaction represents a key achievement in our pursuit of strategic objectives, enhancing our market reach and shareholders' value. The milestone aligns with BBK's broader vision of strengthening its foothold in the banking sector by leveraging strategic opportunities that support the Bank's long-term ambitions'. 'The bank successfully closed a US$500 million, 3-year Club Loan Facility, which shall support Bank's strategic initiatives, business expansion, and refinance the 2023 facility. 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