Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain: Khaleeji Bank, one of the leading Islamic banks in the Kingdom of Bahrain, has announced the appointment of Mr Abdulkarim Mohamed Alzakari as Acting Chief Executive Officer. This step reflects the Board of Directors’ confidence in his leadership capabilities and extensive banking expertise, and comes as part of the Bank’s commitment to ensuring continuity of institutional performance and advancing its growth and development trajectory.

Mr Alzakari brings nearly 20 years of experience in the banking sector, with specialised expertise in risk management, finance, and credit within Islamic banking. He joined Khaleeji Bank in 2020 and has since held several senior leadership roles, most recently serving as the Bank’s Chief Financial Officer. In this capacity, he played a key role in guiding major financial decisions with professionalism and efficiency, enhancing financial resource management and achieving advanced levels of profitability, while maintaining a strong financial position and ensuring long-term stability.

He also contributed significantly to supporting growth initiatives and strengthening stakeholder confidence through a balanced and sustainable financial approach. In addition to his pivotal role in developing financial and operational strategies, he oversaw several key functions, including Human Resources, Business Development, and Strategy.

During his tenure as Chief Risk Officer, Mr Alzakari led key transformations that enhanced institutional performance and strengthened governance and risk management frameworks within the Bank. His deep expertise in risk management enabled him to align strategic objectives with the highest standards of governance and financial stability.

Mr Alzakari holds distinguished academic and professional qualifications, including a Master of Business Administration from London Business School, and a Bachelor’s degree in Financial Risk Management and Investment from City University – Cass Business School. He is also a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charterholder and holds the Professional Risk Manager (PRM) certification, in addition to advanced certifications in quantitative finance and risk management. He has also participated in executive programmes at leading global institutions.

On this occasion, Mr Yousif Abdulla Taqi, Chairman of Khaleeji Bank, commented: “We are confident in Mr Abdulkarim Mohamed Alzakari’s ability to lead the Bank in the next phase, given his extensive banking experience, clear strategic vision, and strong track record of achievements within the Bank. He has played a prominent role in strengthening the Bank’s risk management framework and enhancing institutional performance, and we are confident that his leadership will support the continued achievement of the Bank’s objectives and further strengthen its position in the banking sector.”

For his part, Mr Abdulkarim Mohamed Alzakari expressed his appreciation for the confidence placed in him by the Board of Directors, stating: “I extend my sincere thanks and appreciation to the Board for their trust, and I look forward to working with the Khaleeji Bank team to build on the Bank’s achievements and drive its journey towards broader horizons of growth and innovation. We will continue to focus on enhancing operational efficiency and developing our services and products to meet our customers’ aspirations and keep pace with the rapidly evolving banking landscape.”

Khaleeji Bank affirmed that this appointment is in line with its strategy to strengthen institutional stability and ensure continued strong performance by relying on experienced national talent, supporting its future direction and reinforcing its position as a leading banking institution in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

Khaleeji Bank is one of the prominent Islamic banks in the Kingdom of Bahrain, committed to meeting its customers’ aspirations by offering a comprehensive range of Sharia-compliant banking services, alongside community initiatives aimed at supporting education, empowering youth, and promoting sustainable development in the Kingdom.