Bahrain Association of Banks has appointed Zeeba Askar as the new Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately.

Announcing the appointment, “The Board of Directors of the Bahrain Association of Banks (BAB) has announced the appointment of Mrs. Zeeba Askar as the new Chief Executive Officer of the Association.”

In her new role, Askar brings over 25 years of leadership experience across the financial sector. She most recently served at Infracorp Bahrain as the Chief Investment & Sustainability Officer, and prior to that, at the Bahrain Institute of Banking and Finance (BIBF) as the Head of the Banking and Finance Centre. She also held key positions with Ithmaar Bank, Seera Investment Bank, Eskan Bank, and Ahli United Bank.

This is Askar’s second stint with BAB, as she previously served as Deputy Chair of the Sustainable Development Committee for over three years until 2021.

Welcoming her back to the leadership team, Yasser Alsharifi, Chairman of BAB, said, "Askar's distinguished track record in driving strategic transformation and leading financial institutions and professional associations aligns closely with the Board’s vision to appoint high-caliber professionals capable of advancing the Association’s strategic direction and executive plans. The appointment also reinforces BAB’s position as a key strategic partner to the Kingdom’s banking sector and further amplifies the impact of its specialized initiatives and programmes."

Adding, “We are fully confident in Mrs. Askar’s ability to play a pivotal role in executing the Association’s ambitious strategy, which seeks to enhance competitiveness and sustainability across Bahrain’s banking industry, address the imperatives of digital transformation, and support national efforts to strengthen Bahrain’s position as a premier regional financial center.”

Askar added, “It is a great honor to assume this role at such a critical juncture in the Bahrain Association of Banks’ journey. I'm looking forward to working collaboratively with the Association’s team to formulate and advance strategic plans that strengthen its role in supporting the banking sector and ensuring its continued alignment with the evolving dynamics and opportunities of the global financial landscape.”

On the academic front, Askar holds a bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Finance, and an Executive MBA in Management from the University of Bahrain. She also holds key licenses, including CFA Institute Charterholder, CFA Charter, GRI Certified Sustainability Professional, and is a qualified Certified Public Accountant (CPA) from the American Institute of CPAs® as well as a member of The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants®.

The new CEO succeeds Dr. Waheed Al Qassim, who served as the CEO of BAB since 2015.

Extending wishes to the outgoing CEO, Alsharifi said, “Sincere thanks to CEO Dr. Waheed Al Qassim for his outstanding service. His tenure was marked by significant achievements and institutional advancement that strengthened BAB’s role as a platform for dialogue between banks and regulators and laid a solid foundation for future progress.”