The Central Bank of Bahrain announced a notable surge in financial institution licenses from early 2024 to mid-2025, with 16 new institutions approved and 52 license applications currently under advanced review.
This steady growth underscores Bahrain’s attractiveness as a premier destination for digital financial services, with international applications comprising about 75 percent of the total 68. These institutions are anticipated to create over 850 jobs initially, with additional opportunities as they expand, Bahrain News Agency (BNA) reported.
The new licenses include two wholesale banks, and further banking applications are under review. The Central Bank continues to collaborate closely with applicants to assist them in meeting licensing requirements.
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Unified model boosts compliance
Khalid Humaidan, governor of the Central Bank of Bahrain, stated: “This rise in licensing applications reflects the Central Bank’s institutional role and the effectiveness of Bahrain’s regulatory framework, which balances attracting innovation with ensuring financial stability. This achievement was made possible by close cooperation with our partners in the public and private sectors, confirming the integrated national efforts to expand regional and global growth in financial services.”
This success is founded on the Central Bank’s unified regulatory model, which provides licensed institutions with a single point of contact across financial services. This model further helps mitigate conflicting requirements, streamlines compliance, and offers consistent and effective oversight.
The announcement was made during the “Financial Services Horizons” forum, organized in partnership with the Bahrain Economic Development Board, where sector leaders discussed advancements in digital banking, payment infrastructure, and the development of national talent for digital transformation.
