Bank "Ila", the fastest-growing digital bank in the region and subsidiary to ABC Bank, won the "Best Banking App in the Middle East" award at the Best Digital Banks Awards for the year 2025 offered by the international Global Finance magazine in London. The bank also garnered 11 awards across Bahrain and the Middle East, achieving victory in all national categories, which enhances its status as one of the most innovative and customer-focused digital banks in the region.
Mr. Sayel Al Wa'ri, CEO of the ABC Group said: "We are proud to be honored by Global Finance magazine, one of the most prominent global institutions in the banking sector. This achievement reflects the strength of our strategy and the unique skills of our teams at Bank Ila and ABC. Our vision was to establish the leading digital bank in the Middle East, and these awards prove the significant progress we have achieved towards this goal. We will continue to focus on innovation, excellence, and delivering a modern banking experience that serves our customers and communities well.".
Since its launch in 2019 as the first fully cloud-based digital retail bank in the region, Bank "Ila" has continued to evolve its services through more than 140 app updates, all aimed at simplifying transactions and enhancing customer experience. Thanks to its ongoing focus on innovation, trust, and financial empowerment, the bank has seen nearly 40% growth in customer numbers since 2023, enhancing its leadership in digital banking within and beyond Bahrain.
Mr. Mohammed Al Ma'raj, CEO of Bank "Ila" and Head of Retail Banking and Digital Banking for the group at ABC said: "These awards embody the fruit of a clear vision, the exceptional efforts of our teams, and our trusted partnerships that work with us to push the boundaries of banking innovation. I extend my deepest thanks to Global Finance magazine for this recognition, and to everyone who contributed to this success from my team at Bank Ila and ABC. As we celebrate these achievements, we will continue our commitment to innovation and providing banking experiences that match the evolving aspirations of our clients.".
The awards received by Bank "Ila" at the Global Finance Awards for Best Digital Banks 2025:
Regional awards (Middle East)
- Best Mobile Banking App
- Best APIs for Open Banking Services (APIs)
National awards (Bahrain)
- Best Digital Bank for Individuals
- Best Fully Digital Bank
- Best Online Payment Solution
- Best Online Product Offers
- Best User Experience Design (UX)
- Best Mobile Banking App
- Best in Marketing and Social Media Services
- Most Innovative Digital Bank
- Best APIs for Open Banking Services (APIs)
The award ceremony, held in London on October 7th, 2025, was attended by senior executives from ABC and Bank "Ila", alongside elite financial institutions from around the world.
