Bahrain Sees Spike in Financial Licenses as Global Firms Eye Regional Hub

  • 04/07/2025

Manama: Bahrain’s financial sector is experiencing a significant boost, with the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB) confirming it has issued 16 new financial institution licenses between early 2024 and mid-2025 and is currently processing 52 additional applications. Nearly 75% of these applications come from international companies, highlighting Bahrain’s growing appeal as a regional launchpad for digital-first financial services.

Of the newly licensed institutions, two are wholesale banks, and more banking license applications are under review. Sectors covered by the applications include wholesale banking, investment services, payments, insurance, and crypto-asset services, reflecting a push towards market diversity and innovation.

The CBB estimates that these new market entrants will create over 850 jobs initially, with more employment opportunities expected as the firms expand.

HE Khalid Humaidan, Governor of the CBB, emphasized that this surge demonstrates the regulator’s commitment to maintaining financial stability while fostering growth. He credited Bahrain’s strong regulatory framework, a unified oversight model that streamlines supervision across all financial sub-sectors, and close collaboration between government and industry for this success.

“This underscores Bahrain’s unique position as a gateway for regional and global financial growth,” Humaidan said.

The announcement came during FS Horizons: Doubling Down on Digital, an event co-hosted with the Bahrain Economic Development Board to showcase the Kingdom’s progress in digital banking, payments infrastructure, and workforce readiness, reinforcing Bahrain’s reputation as a competitive hub for financial innovation in the region.

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