Alshowaikh Director, Corporate & Institutional Banking at BIsB

Mr. Faisal Alshowaikh, who has recently joined the BIsB, has been appointed as Director, Corporate & Institutional Banking.

A spokesman for the Bank has said that the new appointment is part in a series of placements aimed at enhancing the Bank's management team and attracting highly qualified Bahraini capabilities.

Mr. Alshowaikh has over 21 years of banking experience during which he held several senior positions in various financial institutions in London and Bahrain, including KPMG, Schlumberger, Sterling Software Inc., Bank of Bahrain & Kuwait (BBK),Gulf International Bank (GIB), Standard Chartered Bank, and most recently Arab Banking Corporation (ABC) where he was Vice President responsible for developing business for the bank in Saudi Arabia.

A graduate from the United Kingdom, he holds a BA Degree in Accounting and Finance from Manchester Metropolitan University and is also a fellow member of the Chartered Association of Certified Accountant.

In welcoming Mr. Alshowaikh, BIsB's Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Yousif Saleh Khalaf, has reaffirmed the Bank's commitment to attract well experienced Bahraini's such as Mr. Alshowaikh to BIsB.

Explaining the bank's three-year ambitious strategic plan, Mr. Khalaf said: "Our new strategy focuses on several initiatives at the foremost of which will be to enhance our infrastructure in terms of human resources and information technology".

"I am confident that with targeted capabilities, the Bahrain Islamic Bank will go a step further to continue its role as the leading Islamic bank in the Kingdom of Bahrain".

Faisal Alshowaikh expressed his satisfaction in joining the BIsB's family and his appreciation for the warmth welcome given to him. In his two decades of association with banking and finance, this is the first time that he has joined an Islamic bank. "Islamic banking has become not only a growing industry but also a real alternative to conventional banking", he said.

The Bahrain Islamic Bank is the first Shariah compliant commercial financial institution in Bahrain and the third of its kind in the Arabian Gulf Region. The Bank is a member of the International Association of Islamic Banks.

With a high percentage of more than 98% Bahrainization, the Bank is one of the leading Islamic and traditional banks providing employment opportunities for qualified Bahrainis.