Manama: The National Bank of Bahrain (NBB) has reinforced its position in the regional banking sector by winning two prestigious awards at the MEED MENA Banking Excellence Awards 2025. The Bank received the Best Retail Bank - Bahrain award, as well as the Best Payment Ecosystem Integration award, in recognition of the digital banking solutions provided through its advanced platforms, DigiCorp and DigiConnect.
According to Bahrain News Agency, Usman Ahmed, Group Chief Executive Officer at NBB, expressed pride in this achievement, affirming that the awards reflect the Bank's commitment to offering innovative banking solutions that meet the expectations of individuals and corporates, contributing to a qualitative transformation in the local banking sector through a focus on digital experience development, SME empowerment, and the enhancement of corporate banking through technology.
Ed James, Head of Content and Analysis at MEED, commended the Bank's performance, describing it as a model for banking innovation. He noted that the DigiCorp and DigiConnect platforms represent a breakthrough in integrating treasury systems with enterprise planning solutions, while the Yalla Family Account product and the Bank's environmental initiatives, such as launching the first carbon-free branch in the Kingdom, demonstrate NBB's leadership in delivering comprehensive and sustainable banking services.
The Best Retail Bank - Bahrain award reflects NBB's efforts to provide a holistic banking experience driven by innovation and service excellence, in line with its environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) principles. Key initiatives included the launch of a youth-focused banking product and the development of advanced digital services such as instant account opening, credit card applications, and personal financing through the mobile app. The Bank also inaugurated Bahrain's first carbon-neutral branch in Madinat Khalifa, the first building in the Kingdom to obtain LEED Platinum certification from the US Green Building Council (USGBC).
The bank supported national efforts to provide social housing and introduced accessible financing solutions for energy-efficient vehicles. It also launched the Yalla Family Account, enabling parents to open accounts for their children and manage daily spending through a dedicated dashboard in the NBB Digital Banking App. In parallel, the Points by NBB loyalty programme continued to expand its offerings, including cashback, raffles, vouchers, air mile redemption, and charitable donations.
In the Best Payment Ecosystem Integration category, NBB was recognised for DigiCorp and DigiConnect, which are designed to support financial operations of companies of all sizes. These platforms simplify payment processes, capital management, and reporting through user-friendly interfaces and flexible integration with smart devices. They have contributed to the expansion of the corporate client base and increased digital transaction volumes due to their innovative design and functionality.
DigiCorp features a flexible infrastructure capable of calculating treasury rates in real time, with direct system integration through APIs and DigiConnect, reducing manual intervention and improving operational efficiency.
These awards reflect NBB's ongoing commitment to implementing a forward-looking strategy focused on innovation, customer experience, and operational excellence, supporting growth in the financial market and contributing to the development of the banking sector in the Kingdom of Bahrain.