Best Islamic bank 2025: Ahli United Bank
Ahli United Bank, a prominent institution in Bahrain, has been recognised by Euromoney as the country’s best Islamic bank for 2025, a testament to its successful transition and innovative advances within the financial sector.
In 2023, Ahli United Bank undertook a significant transformation, converting seamlessly into a fully operational Islamic bank by 2024. The well-executed strategy aligned with the ethical and financial needs of its customers, fostering a deeper connection with the community and reinforcing trust in the bank’s commitment to Islamic banking values.
An integral part of this transformation involved the reinvigoration of its branch network and the rollout of new services designed to comply with Shariah principles.
Digital innovation has been another cornerstone of Ahli United Bank’s strategy. The bank has integrated advanced digital tools that enhance user experience and accessibility, making Islamic banking more approachable and convenient for its clients.
The bank’s strategic financial activities, including various high-profile sales and exits in 2024, underscore its robust financial health and operational prowess.
Ahli United Bank’s efforts and outcomes in the past year clearly delineate its ambition and commitment to being at the forefront of Islamic banking, embodying both the traditional values and the innovative drive that marks a leader in this field.
Best Islamic fund manager 2025: GFH
GFH has established itself as a leading Islamic fund manager in the Middle East, demonstrating an impressive ability to identify and capitalise on dynamic investment opportunities since its inception in 1999.
With over $22 billion in assets raised and managed, the group operates across four key sectors: investment management, real estate development, commercial banking, and treasury and proprietary investments.
GFH is listed on major GCC stock exchanges, including Bahrain Bourse, Boursa Kuwait, Dubai Financial Market, and Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange, making it one of the most liquid stocks in the region.
In 2024, it demonstrated its resilience by deploying nearly $4 billion into recession-proof real estate sectors in the US and Europe, focusing on medical clinics and student housing.
GFH’s ability to adapt to changing market conditions is further reflected in its innovative investment banking approach, such as its successful sukuk issuance and the launch of cutting-edge AI-driven investment apps.
Additionally, GFH’s acquisition of top asset managers like Roebuck in the UK and Big Sky in the US expands its global footprint and strengthens its portfolio.
Best sukuk house 2025: Bank ABC Islamic
During 2024, Bank ABC Islamic firmly established itself as the best sukuk house in Bahrain through a record-breaking year in the debt capital markets, successfully closing 16 sukuk mandates and raising a total of $12 billion.
Demonstrating exceptional Islamic structuring expertise and a global footprint spanning five continents, the bank supported sovereigns, government-related entities, Islamic financial institutions and corporates across various sectors.
A standout achievement was acting as sole arranger for the first corporate sukuk issued by AerCap, the world’s largest commercial aircraft owner. This $500 million 5-year 144a/RegS sukuk was a landmark transaction, allowing AerCap to access deep liquidity pools in the MENA and Asia regions.
Other high-profile mandates included a $2.5 billion sukuk for the Republic of Turkey, a $500 million green sukuk for Warba Bank, and a $1 billion sustainable sukuk for Dubai Islamic Bank. These deals not only showcased the bank’s capacity to lead complex, cross-border transactions but also reinforced its pivotal role in advancing ESG-aligned Islamic finance.
Recognised for its structuring and execution, Bank ABC Islamic continues to drive innovation, value and leadership in the sukuk market, reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a key hub for Islamic finance.
Best Islamic digital bank 2025: Bahrain Islamic Bank
Bahrain Islamic Bank has asserted its position at the forefront of innovative Islamic digital banking, garnering the title of best Islamic digital bank in Bahrain.
Bahrain Islamic Bank introduced a streamlined digital onboarding experience in 2024, which has not only reduced the number of steps and the time required to onboard but has especially enabled GCC nationals to fully onboard themselves within a mere five minutes, setting a new industry standard.
Further emphasising its commitment to digital convenience, Bahrain Islamic Bank launched the pioneering account opening call feature via its mobile app in 2024 – an act that previously necessitated a branch visit. This development has notably boosted the bank’s account growth, showcasing the impact of digital accessibility on customer engagement and bank growth. Integration with the Benefit Pay platform marked another milestone for Bahrain Islamic Bank in 2024, allowing customers to transfer money using just mobile numbers.
Financially, Bahrain Islamic Bank has shown robust performance, with a 14% increase in total assets amounting to BD182 million ($484 million) in 2024, a testament to its successful strategy encompassing customer-centric products and digital transformation.
Lastly, Bahrain Islamic Bank’s dedication to community and empowerment is highlighted through the On Her Path initiative launched on Bahraini Women’s Day. This innovative programme offers a 10-month training module facilitated by 13 mentors from the bank.
These initiatives collectively highlight not only Bahrain Islamic Bank’s innovative approach towards digital Islamic banking but also its role as a change leader in the financial sector, making it a deserving recipient of Euromoney’s best Islamic digital bank award.
