MANAMA — National Bank of Bahrain (NBB) announced Saturday that it is the first bank in the Kingdom of Bahrain to successfully complete the SWIFT Global Payments Innovation (SWIFT gpi) certification. SWIFT gpi is the latest initiative launched by SWIFT to improve the customer experience in the world of international (cross border) payments.

The bank continues to be a first mover in the adoption of technologies that make banking transactions more efficient and seamless. SWIFT gpi provides the customers with an array of benefits such as: faster payments, end-to-end tracking and confirmation of information when beneficiaries receive payment. At a later stage, NBB will provide customers with digital access to monitor payments providing greater visibility over the payment process.

Commenting, Nabeel Kazim, Head of Bank Operations at NBB, said “on behalf of NBB, I am proud to announce our achievement of SWIFT gpi certification, the latest in a series of initiatives launched by SWIFT to improve customers’ international payment experience. In line with our role as a key player at the forefront of the market, NBB is the first bank in the Kingdom of Bahrain to achieve this certification. As always, the overall customer experience comes first and we will continue to work towards developing further enhancements to our operational capabilities.”

Onur Ozan, Head of Middle East, North Africa and Turkey, SWIFT, said “on behalf of SWIFT, I would like to congratulate the National Bank of Bahrain on being the first bank in the country to be certified for and go live on SWIFT gpi. In doing so, it opens up a new corridor for gpi payments and supports the strong adoption of SWIFT gpi in this region. We look forward to see more banks in Bahrain embrace gpi in the near future.” — SG