BBK has recorded BD188 million in sustainable finance assets and slashed its paper consumption by 39 per cent, according to its newly released 2025 Sustainability Report.
The report highlights the bank’s progress in embedding environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles across its retail and corporate operations, alongside a BD2.4m capital injection into community investments.
A major environmental milestone was the launch of BBK’s Sustainable Finance Framework, which helped drive the BD188m portfolio into renewable energy, energy efficiency, and sustainable infrastructure projects.
The bank also expanded its greenhouse gas emissions tracking to include Scope 3 financed emissions and issued its first Climate Risk Position Statement.
“Over the past year, we strengthened governance practices, enhanced information security, invested in our people, expanded digital capabilities, and introduced our Sustainable Finance Framework,” BBK Group chief strategy and transformation officer Mohamed Alaali said.
“These efforts reinforce our commitment to building trust, delivering long-term value, and supporting the communities we serve.”
On the corporate governance front, independent directors now represent 60pc of the board, which includes three female directors. The bank also maintained its ISO/IEC 27001 certification for its Information Security Management System, recording a 100pc employee acknowledgement rate for its Code of Conduct.
The bank’s nationalisation rate reached approximately 95pc in 2025, with women comprising 42pc of the total workforce.
During the year, BBK successfully integrated the retail banking operations personnel previously managed by HSBC Bahrain. Human resources initiatives also saw 20 employees graduate from the Women in Leadership programme alongside the rollout of the third edition of its GROW talent programme, driven by AI platform Lumofy.
Digital milestones earned the bank several accolades, including being named ‘Best Retail Bank in Bahrain 2025’ by Global Banking and Finance Review for the third consecutive year, and ‘Most Trusted Digital Banking Services Provider in Bahrain 2025’ by World Business Outlook. This followed the automation of its customer services and the establishment of a dedicated AI innovation centre.
Locally, the lender engaged 640 Bahraini suppliers and maintained its BD1m Platinum sponsorship of the Crown Prince’s International Scholarship Programme. It further upgraded its support for the Isa Bin Salman Education Fund and sustained 50 scholarships across the University of Bahrain and Bahrain Polytechnic.
On the healthcare front, BBK commenced construction on its new health centre in Galali, marking its second major funded medical facility following the BBK Health Centre in Hidd.
avinash@gdnmedia.bh
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