Islamic Banker of the Year Award to be announced at the WIBC

The award, which recognizes the industry's most outstanding achievements, will be handed out at a gala dinner and awards ceremony hosted by JP Morgan during the 14th Annual WIBC at the Gulf Hotel, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain.

David McLean, Managing Director, WIBC states: "For more than a decade, the Islamic Banker of the Year Award has recognized ground-breaking achievements by the executive leaders of the international Islamic industry. The award has achieved a greater significance in the current climate, with the industry surging into its next phase of development"

McLean also states that the award will be a boost in industry credentials to major banks tackling formidable challenges in the Islamic sector including sustainable and profitable growth, escalating competitive pressures and global aspirations. The award is traditionally awarded to an established Islamic banker who has made notable contributions to the Islamic services industry (during the fiscal year?). Key selection criteria will include the strategy, innovation and leadership as in spearheading the launch of institutions or re-positioning landmark institutions or launching new products or services or driving substantial wholesale Islamic transactions and international involvement and complexity.

"The Islamic Banker of the Year Award is one of the most prestigious awards in Islamic Finance. It recognizes the outstanding efforts of a truly exceptional individual who has helped develop our industry. Ernst and Young is proud to have been associated with the award since its inception." stated Sameer abdi, Head of Ernst and Young's Islamic Financial Services Group.

The award is supported by the Central Bank of Bahrain and uses a peer-based voting system amongst a select group of industry leaders. Ernst & Young, the official auditors for the event, applies a series of criteria developed in collaboration with the WIBC to ascertain the final winner. Previous winners include many industry founders and visionaries including Sheikh Saleh Kamal, Prince Mohammed Al Faysal, and more recently by Adnan Yousif, Atif Abdul Malik and Husein Al Meeza.

Additionally two prestigious awards, The Institutional Excellence Award and The Industry Leadership Award will also be presented at the WIBC.