Kuwait Finance House (KFH) has initiated a comprehensive “Leadership Cultural Training Programme” as a cornerstone of its post-acquisition strategy. The ongoing programme, themed “Bringing Our Values to Life,” is designed to cultivate a unified corporate culture and empower employees to embody the group’s new brand values.

This strategic initiative marks a pivotal moment in the Group’s transformation, following a historic acquisition that has established KFH as one of the largest Islamic banking entities in the world. The programme is tailored to align all staff, beginning with leadership, with the core principles and ambitious vision of the newly integrated organization.

The training programme is focused on embedding KFH’s core values of being Open, Brave, and Imaginative, while upholding the foundational Islamic principles of integrity and transparency. The initiative aims to create a cohesive and dynamic work environment that will propel KFH Group towards its goals.

“As we embark on this transformative journey, fostering a shared culture is paramount to our success,” said Dr. Shadi Zahran, Group CEO of KFH – Bahrain. “This programme is more than just training; it’s an investment in our people and the future of our organisation. By empowering our team with a unified vision and a strong set of values, we are building a solid foundation for innovation, excellence, and sustainable growth. Our collective commitment to these principles will be the driving force behind our ambition to lead the global Islamic finance industry.”

Dana Bukhammas, the Group Head of Human Resources Transformation and Development, stated, “Transformation begins with people. When organizations prioritize the people agenda in their journey, they unlock new heights of success. We are dedicated to driving change by placing our people at the heart of everything we do. We take immense pride in our team and their remarkable ability to lead this transformation and realize our shared vision. Adding to our confidence, as part of KFH Group, we are proud to have received nine international awards from the Brandon Hall Group Excellence Awards 2025 in the Human Resources field, and one of them is the Golden Award for Employee Experience during the acquisition.

The Cultural Training Programme is being rolled out across the organisation, with all employees set to participate. This inclusive approach ensures that every member of the KFH team is a key participant in this new chapter of the bank’s history.

Kuwait Finance House (KFH) has announced the appointment of four distinguished Bahraini professionals to key leadership positions within the bank. These appointments underscore KFH’s unwavering commitment to nurturing local talent and empowering Bahraini leaders in the financial sector, aligning with the Kingdom of Bahrain’s vision to promote career advancement for its citizens.
The new appointees are Ms. Yosra Abdulla, Ms. Sara Zainalabedin, Mr. Mahmood Ghaleb Al Mahmood, and Mr. Mohamed Fathi.

Joining the Human Resources team, Ms. Yosra Abdulla has been appointed Head of Employee Experience and Engagement. With over 17 years of experience in strategic HR leadership, she has a proven track record in leading people-centric transformations and championing employee engagement.

Ms. Sara Zainalabedin has taken on the role of Head of Organisational Design & Workforce Planning. She brings over 17 years of diverse experience across Talent Management, Organisational Development, and HR Operations, and holds a CIPD Level 7 Certificate in HRM. She is in charge of driving impactful strategies that attract and develop talent in alignment with organisational goals.

Joining the Corporate Banking division, Mr. Mahmood Ghaleb Al Mahmood brings 23 years of extensive experience in the banking industry, holding a Master of Business Administration from DePaul University, with deep expertise in corporate and SME banking.

In his new role as Head of Cards and Acquiring within the Retail Banking Department, Mr. Mohamed Fathi has over 22 years of diverse experience across reputable financial institutions. He has a proven record of driving sustainable business growth through strategic card initiatives and data-informed marketing.
Dr. Shadi Zahran, Group CEO of KFH – Bahrain, commented on the new appointments, saying: “I am personally delighted to welcome our new leaders to the KFH team. The addition of such exceptional professionals as Yosra, Sara, Mahmood, and Mohamed is a significant step in our journey of growth and excellence. Their profound expertise and proven leadership in their respective fields are crucial as we continue to innovate and enhance our service offerings for our clients. This investment in top-tier Bahraini talent is fundamental to our strategy and reaffirms our commitment to playing a pivotal role in the Kingdom’s continued success.”

Dana Bukhammas, Group Head of HR Transformation & Development at KFH, also stated: “We are delighted to welcome Yosra, Sara, Mahmood, and Mohamed to the KFH family. Their collective expertise and leadership are invaluable to our organisation. These appointments are a testament to our strategic focus on investing in and empowering national capabilities. By attracting and developing the best Bahraini talent, we are not only strengthening our team but also actively contributing to the Kingdom’s vision for a prosperous future led by its own citizens.”

These strategic hires reflect KFH’s ongoing efforts to invest in national talent, ensuring the bank’s leadership is composed of highly experienced professionals who will drive innovation and growth while upholding the bank’s core values.

Kuwait Finance House B.S.C. (c) has announced the handover of the BD (500,000) MyHassad Grand Prize to the lucky winner, Mr. Ganesh Ravi Pillai. The prize handover ceremony took place at the Bank’s Headquarters in Seef District, in a special occasion that brought together the winner and a number of the bank’s employees.

Mr. Pillai expressed his joy and gratitude, saying, “I am truly honored and delighted to win the MyHassad Grand Prize. My journey with the Bank has always been rewarding and I look forward to continuing my banking journey with KFH and exploring further opportunities.”

Meanwhile, Mr. Mohamed Zakout, Deputy Group Chief Executive Officer – Retail Banking at KFH, stated, “This handover marks the conclusion of our MyHassad scheme for the first half of the year. Work is now in progress to unveil what Kuwait Finance House B.S.C. (c) has in store for our valued customers under the KFH banner, reflecting our commitment to continuously enhance our customer experience and enhancing the level of services provided to meet their aspirations, strengthening its position as a leading financial institution.”

The MyHassad Savings Account continues to be one of the most rewarding savings schemes in the Kingdom, having awarded more than (19,000) prizes to its customers to date. Customers can easily open an account with just a few clicks through the KFH Mobile Application or by visiting there nearest KFH branch distributed across a network of (19) branches, enabling them to start their journey toward saving and winning.

Abdul Aziz Al Ajlan Sons Co. for Commercial and Real Estate Investment – Ajlan & Bros has successfully completed its maiden syndicated unsecured USD 300 million 7 years term Murabaha facility with a group of regional and Saudi banks.

The new facility will enable Ajlan Group to further diversify the pool of banks and funding sources which will be used to finance the Group’s expansion initiatives.

Gulf International Bank – Saudi Arabia (GIB), First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) and Kuwait Finance House B.S.C. (C) Bahrain, acted as Mandated Lead Arrangers for the new facility. GIB also acted as the Sole Coordinator and Facility Agent.

Chairman of Ajlan & Bros, Ajlan Abdulaziz Al Ajlan, commented: “The Securing of the USD 300 million financing through a syndicated facility, which was subscribed by leading regional banks, is a testament to the appeal and confidence in Saudi market and in the Ajlan Group expansion plans in key strategic sectors aligned with Vision 2030”

GIB – Saudi Arabia CEO, Khaled Abbas commented on this occasion “We are honored to have successfully led this landmark transaction for Ajlan & Bros. The strong backing and participation of leading regional banks highlights the growing investor confidence and appetite for USD-denominated syndications for Saudi family -owned enterprises- particularly during this dynamic phase of economic transformation and growth in the Kingdom. We are grateful for the trust the Company has placed in GIB during this debut offering and remain dedicated to delivering tailored financing solutions to diversify and optimize their sources of funding in support of sustainable long-term growth.”

Kuwait Finance House has announced the launch of its 2025 Summer Internship Program, welcoming 26 ambitious interns as part of the Bank’s strategic mission to support and empower young Bahraini talent.

Spanning six months, the comprehensive internship programme is designed to provide hands-on professional training across a wide range of departments within the Bank. The programme began with a detailed induction, granting interns valuable exposure to the best practices at KFH. Following the induction, interns were assigned to various departments across the organization, where they are now actively contributing under the guidance of mentors.

“We are proud to introduce our 2025 Summer Internship Programme, which welcomes 26 talented and motivated interns embarking on their journey of professional development and meaningful contribution,” said Dana Bukhammas, Group Head Human Resources Transformation & Development. “This initiative underscores our commitment to supporting young Bahraini talent, sharpening their professional skills, and preparing them for future success in the workforce. These internships represent an important first step into the Islamic banking sector, and we believe our interns have the potential to make a lasting impact in their fields. We look forward to witnessing their growth and the positive contributions they will bring to our organization.”

The programme places strong emphasis on developing foundational professional skills, including communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and critical thinking. Through real-world experience and continuous mentorship, KFH aims to transform these young talents into future leaders in the Islamic banking industry.

KFH remains committed to creating impactful opportunities for the Kingdom’s youth, integrating sustainable talent development into the core of its CSR agenda.