For more than nine decades, Arab Bank has been a pillar of Middle Eastern finance. Across operations spanning four continents, the bank combines deep regional roots with a global reach, serving its customers across retail, corporate and institutional segments. “Our strength lies in being able to serve clients across geographies with the same focus on trust, innovation and impact,” says Randa Sadik, CEO of Arab Bank. “We are building on our heritage, while making bold investments in the future of banking.”
In the first half of 2025, Arab Bank reported net income of $535.3m, up 6% year-on-year, while assets rose 9% to $75.2bn — an impressive performance that reflects a forward-looking growth strategy. Two elements at the heart of this strategy are network banking and digital transformation. The bank has been investing significantly in upgrading its technology and security platforms, from mobile-first services to advanced data analytics. API banking and AI-powered tools are being deployed across business lines, offering faster, more personalized experiences. The bank’s digital banking platform “Reflect” is gaining momentum, while its Banking-as-a-Service proposition “Omnify” has been building good traction to embed Arab Bank financial API services with Fintechs and large corporate clients.
“Digital is no longer a channel — it is core to how we interact with customers,” says Sadik. The bank’s fully integrated mobile apps and digital portals are being extended to SMEs and Corporate clients with a robust cross-border value proposition, supporting trade finance and treasury services.
Next generation banking
For Arab Bank, the future lies beyond banking, while continuously raising the bar in refining its customer-centric design and approach to better serve its customers. To maintain its digital relevance in the years to come, the bank focuses on cementing solid and seamless integrations between its digital touchpoints and the wide range of ecosystem parties that will contribute in integrating new value-add services into its consumer and corporate offering.
“AI will be a core component of the design of our new products and digital journeys. We’ll be leveraging agentic AI to make our processes near-instant, around the clock, with the necessary guardrails and human in the loop,” says Sadik. “Our next generation digital engagement platform will embed conversational AI to provide consistent and personalized voice-based interaction with our customers that goes beyond general product and service enquiries.”
In the world of payment, near-real time execution is the new norm, domestically and cross-border. Payment has been core to banking services and will be subject to major modernization to meet the needs of the bank’s individual customers and corporate clients.
Making the future happen
The bank’s continuous transformation and simplification of customer journeys is widening financial access, particularly for younger and underbanked segments. “Inclusion is a priority for us,” Sadik says. “By leveraging digital tools, we are making banking more accessible, secure and relevant to the next generation.”
This focus on people extends across both customers and employees. A defining feature of Arab Bank’s longevity is its focus on talent that the bank is developing through structured graduate programmes, career mobility schemes and digital learning tools, designed to equip Arab Bank personnel with the skills needed for a fast-changing financial ecosystem.
“Banking is ultimately a people business,” Sadik explains. “Technology is an essential enabler, but it is our people who build trust in the way we design our digital solutions and engage with our customers, solving problems and operating as one organization to deliver true value to customers every day.”
Arab Bank has also placed sustainability at the center of its operations. The bank has developed frameworks for financing renewable energy, green buildings and social projects, while embedding environmental and social considerations into its risk management processes.
“Our role goes beyond financial intermediation,” says Sadik. “We are committed to supporting the region’s transition to a more sustainable and resilient economy.” The bank has entered into agreements with international development institutions to co-finance green projects and continues to align its policies with global ESG standards. At the same time, Arab Bank is working to reduce its own footprint through energy-efficient branches and digital-first operations. It promotes governance best practice and social responsibility, from financial literacy initiatives to community development programmes.
Looking Ahead
Ultimately, what distinguishes Arab Bank is the combination of longstanding presence, broad connectivity, customer focus, continuous innovation and a resilient business model. “Over the decades, we have built deep local knowledge in every country where we operate,” says Sadik. “That history has translated into strong relationships and a high level of trust with our customers, many of whom have been with us for generations.”
At the same time, few institutions can match Arab Bank’s geographic spread, from North Africa and the Levant to Europe and Asia. That network provides customers with a partner that is both global and local, equally capable of structuring complex cross-border deals and delivering retail banking at scale.
Together with a diversified, forward-looking business model these qualities underpin Arab Bank’s ambition to grow and evolve as a trusted banking partner for both individuals and corporations. “We are not just reacting to change — we are helping to shape it,” says Sadik. “Whether through digital innovation, sustainable finance or investing in our people, we are determined to build a bank that is fit for the future and true to its values.”
KEY DATA
First half of 2025
Total assets: $75.2bn
Post-tax net income: $535.3m
Capital adequacy ratio: 17.1%
Loan-to-deposit ratio: 72%