NBB Wins MEED's MENA Banking Excellence Awards in 2025

Biz Bahrain

11-05-2025

The National Bank of Bahrain (NBB) has once again reinforced its leadership within the Kingdom's banking landscape by securing two major accolades at the MEED MENA Banking Excellence Awards 2025. The Bank was named Best Retail Bank – Bahrain, and received top honours for Best Payment Ecosystem Integration for its flagship corporate banking platforms NBB DigiCorp and DigiConnect. Commenting on the occasion, Usman Ahmed, Group Chief Executive Officer at NBB said, 'This recognition across two major categories reaffirms our commitment to serve the Kingdom's diverse financial needs with distinction. Whether by pioneering digital experiences for families, playing a pivotal role in empowering SMEs, or reimagining the corporate banking ecosystem through technology, NBB continues to set new benchmarks for excellence and impact in Bahrain's banking sector.' Ed James, Head of Content & Analysis at MEED added, 'NBB has demonstrated an outstanding determination to banking brilliance across key areas. With DigiCorp and DigiConnect, NBB's bold approach to streamlining client's treasury and ERP connectivity sets a strong example of innovation in action. In retail banking, the Yalla Family Banking proposition and Bahrain's first net-zero carbon branch solidify NBB's leadership in the market. Meanwhile, through different initiatives, the Bank has strengthened its role as a key enabler of the growth of the Kingdom's entrepreneurial ecosystem.' The Best Retail Bank – Bahrain award recognises NBB's achievements in delivering a holistic retail banking experience driven by digital innovation, exceptional customer service, and alignment with its ESG principles. The Bank launched a new youth-focused product and enhanced its digital banking capabilities with services that include instant account opening, credit card applications, and personal finance acquisition through an app-based journey. NBB also inaugurated its carbon-free branch in Madinat Khalifa, Bahrain's first sustainable building to achieve the USGBC's esteemed LEED Platinum certification, advancing its sustainability agenda. Additionally, its broader efforts in making social housing more accessible for citizens and providing attractive financing solutions for energy-efficient vehicles further underscore its commitment to responsible banking. Among the Bank's standout product introductions was the Yalla Family Account, allowing parents to open accounts for their children via the NBB Digital Banking App and manage spending via a specialised dashboard. The comprehensive solution helps children learn financial discipline and develop saving habits in a safe environment. The Points by NBB loyalty platform continued to grow its market reach with cashback, raffle entries, vouchers, air mile redemptions, and donation options. The Best Payment Ecosystem Integration award recognised the impact of NBB DigiCorp and DigiConnect, digital corporate banking platforms serving large corporations and SMEs. These solutions simplify payments, working capital management, and reporting, with streamlined workflows and mobile app support for seamless transactions. Since launch, these platforms have driven notable growth in corporate client acquisition, transaction value, and transaction volume, owing to its intuitive design and robust mobile capabilities. Built on a scalable infrastructure, DigiCorp enables real-time treasury rate calculations, API connectivity and seamless host-to-host integration via DigiConnect reducing manual processes and improving operational efficiencies.
The MEED awards reflect NBB's strategic focus on innovation, customer-centricity, and operational excellence, delivering measurable impact across key growth segments. The Bank remains committed to strengthening Bahrain's financial landscape through its purpose-driven strategy.