The National Bank of Bahrain (NBB) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Bahrain Development of Small and Medium Enterprises Society (BDSMEs) to strengthen support for the Kingdom’s SME ecosystem and drive long-term business growth.
The agreement sets a framework for collaboration aimed at enabling SMEs across Bahrain to scale and succeed. Under the partnership, NBB will offer BDSMEs members a comprehensive suite of banking services, including account opening, payment solutions, digital banking, merchant services, corporate and prepaid cards, and trade finance.
The initiative is designed to enhance service delivery, improve SME customer experience, and provide tailored financial solutions that address the sector’s evolving needs.
Subah Abdullatif Al Zayani, Chief Executive of Retail Banking at NBB, asserted that the partnership reflects a customer-first approach focused on addressing SME challenges through practical, high-impact financial solutions. She noted that the bank aims to support both daily operations and long-term growth, helping entrepreneurs achieve their ambitions.
MP Ahmed Sabah Al-Salloom said that the agreement between NBB and BDSMEs marks a key step in empowering business owners and creating a supportive environment for SME growth. He added that it reflects the Society’s commitment to building strategic partnerships with leading financial institutions in Bahrain.
He noted that the collaboration will give entrepreneurs greater access to advanced banking services, supporting business expansion and commercial activity. He also emphasized that investing in SMEs is an investment in Bahrain’s economic future, enabling innovation, sustainability, and long-term success.
The NBB-BDSMEs MoU is expected to increase SME account activations and drive uptake of value-added services such as point-of-sale solutions, foreign exchange, and trade finance. It also aligns with NBB’s strategy to expand its SME client base and support sustainable revenue growth. The partnership reinforces NBB’s role as a key partner to Bahrain’s SME sector and a driver of economic development in the Kingdom.
