Despite the pandemic, which led to the cancellation of many major events around the world, Mena’s leading international bank, Bank ABC, under the esteemed patronage of the Central Bank of Bahrain, is ready to return with the fourth edition of its annual MEA Fintech Forum, to discuss some of the most relevant subjects that concern financial services today in our region. 

 

Themed “Banking Beyond Digital” the Forum will be held on an interactive, state-of-the-art virtual event platform on November 24 and 25. The two-day agenda will include engaging discussions on some of the most pressing subjects of our times including post-pandemic recovery, low-touch economy, Bank of the future, cashless payments and sustainability. 

 

Rasheed Al Maraj, Governor of the Central Bank of Bahrain, said: “The Central Bank of Bahrain is committed to creating a market environment conducive for innovation, collaboration and sustained economic growth. We are pleased to continue our support to Bank ABC’s initiative of the MEA Fintech Forum, which has significantly advanced Bahrain’s FinTech agenda and encouraged the business and financial services community to look at their operations differently. We look forward to another engaging and successful conference this year.”

 

Sael Al Waary, Deputy Group CEO, Bank ABC, said: "2020 has been an exceptionally challenging year and has further accelerated the critical role digital will play in financial services as we move ahead. We’re excited to host this Forum, once again bringing together leading thinkers, technologists and those who are shaping tomorrow’s financial services industry to discuss pertinent subjects such as economic recovery, regulation in the digital age, cyber security and the e-commerce ecosystem."

 

As the fight against the Pandemic continues and the world economy shifts gears from “respond” to “recover,” the Forum aims to explore how disruptive technologies such as artificial intelligence can be harnessed to enhance operational efficiency and meet the ever-changing needs and expectations of the customer.

 

“We firmly believe that change should not be feared but embraced, and digital innovation and disruption is here to facilitate a fundamental shift in the industry and improve people’s lives. Through this interactive event, we facilitate collaborative discussion between world-leading industry experts, regulators and regional financial services providers to explore the potential of FinTech, and address economic growth, sustainability and financial inclusion,” Al Waary added.

 

The MEA Fintech Forum underlines Bank ABC’s commitment to Bahrain and the region and supports Bahrain’s vision to become a leading FinTech hub. More regional banks, financial institutions, big tech and leading consultancy’s are expected to take part in the Forum this year. Bank ABC Group including the digital, mobile-only bank, ila and digital payments provider AFS, are engaged in the development of new FinTech-led financial services and global ecosystems. 

 

Bank ABC is a leading player in the Mena region’s banking industry and provides global innovative Wholesale Banking coverage and products that include Corporate and Financial Institutions coverage, Transaction Banking (Trade Finance and Cash Management), Project and Structured finance, Syndications, Treasury and Financial Markets products and Islamic Banking. It also provides retail banking services through its network of retail banks in Jordan, Egypt, Tunisia and Algeria and in Bahrain through the digital mobile-only bank ila.   – TradeArabia News Service