QNB Group gets license for new digital bank ezbank in Saudi Arabia

SAMA's Mandate: Open Banking is Not Compliance, It's Competitive Necessity! Saudi Arabia's financial future is clear, and the architecture is being dictated by SAMA’s Open Banking Framework. While this regulatory clarity is essential to provide the necessary trust and security for consumers, it highlights a strategic tension: The value of Open Banking lies in the data, and the natural resistance from large, incumbent banks to fully explore and expose that data is the final hurdle to true market transformation. The Strategic Reality for KSA’s Financial Leaders: 1- The SAMA Shield: The Central Bank has provided the blueprint for security, standards, and compliance (AIS, PIS). This removes the technical excuse for inertia. Any resistance now is purely a business model choice. 2- The Hidden Asset: Customer data is no longer a monopoly; it is a shared utility for innovation. Banks holding back their data are not protecting an asset; they are stifling their own growth by preventing FinTech partners from building new revenue streams on their behalf. 3- The Irreversible Pivot: The market, fueled by Vision 2030, is moving from a pipeline model (bank as sole producer) to a platform model (bank as infrastructure provider). The winner will be the institution that embraces co-creation, not the one that tries to guard the gate. The era of Open Banking in Saudi Arabia demands a mindset shift from control to collaboration. The time for viewing this as a reluctant compliance exercise is over. It is an opportunity to lead the region's financial evolution. #OpenBankingKSA #SAMA #FinTech #SaudiVision2030 #DigitalTransformation #BankingStrategy #Leadership

💰 Saudi Arabia is becoming one of the fastest-growing Fintech hubs in the Middle East. From e-payments to open banking, the Kingdom is redefining how we save, invest, and transact. Innovation is not the future — it’s happening now. #Fintech #SaudiVision2030 #DigitalEconomy #Innovation #SaudiArabia

What if I told you that savings truly are a superpower? 79% of retail payments in Saudi Arabia are now digital—surpassing Vision 2030 targets ahead of schedule. This digital revolution isn't just about convenience; it's creating unprecedented opportunities for financial empowerment. The challenge? Most Saudis still struggle to save consistently. Traditional banking makes it complex, and cultural pressures around spending can derail even the best intentions. But here's what's changed: technology now allows us to automate the one habit that transforms financial futures—saving 10% of income from day one. When you combine open banking visibility with automated saving and micro-investing from just SAR 100, you're not just managing money. You're building a financial foundation that aligns with our values while leveraging the digital infrastructure our Kingdom has built. The real superpower isn't the technology—it's the financial discipline it enables, starting with your very first paycheck. What's the biggest barrier stopping you from saving consistently? Let's discuss below. #FinTech #SaudiVision2030 #DigitalBanking #FinancialEmpowerment #OpenBanking This is not investment advice. Content is educational and for awareness only.

QNB Group gets Egypt approval to launch Digital Bank ezbank Read more : https://lnkd.in/g8JTem9g #QNBGroup #EZBank #DigitalBanking #FintechInnovation #BankingTransformation #FinancialInclusion #DigitalFinance Bijoya A Ghosh | Sudhir Nair | Nehal Shukla

💳 𝐁𝐢𝐠 𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐒𝐚𝐮𝐝𝐢 𝐀𝐫𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐚! 🇸🇦✨ Visitors can now open a local bank account during their stay — making payments easier, faster, and more secure. 💰⚡ This initiative by the Saudi Central Bank – SAMA Bank (SAMA) allows account setup using a Visitor ID, promoting greater financial convenience and inclusion for all visitors. 🌍 #Finance #Banking #Vision2030 #EconomicGrowth #TravelEas #Neom #PIF

QNB Group, the largest financial institution in the #MiddleEast and #Africa, announced the #license approval has been received for a digital-first banking entity, ezbank, from the Central Bank of Egypt. Read more: https://lnkd.in/ekr_V3NB QNB Group #FintechNewsSaudiArabia #QNBGroup #ezbank #CBE #License #Qatar #Egypt #GCC #DigitalBanking #SaudiArabiaFintechNews

𝗕𝗮𝗵𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝘂𝗹𝗳’𝘀 𝗤𝘂𝗶𝗲𝘁 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵 𝗣𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲 Bahrain is quietly emerging as the GCC’s most advanced FinTech ecosystem, built on clarity, collaboration, and a national push toward a cashless economy. With 58% digital payment adoption, the highest in the region, and a 5.4% CAGR driving revenues to BHD 437 billion by 2025, Bahrain is outpacing peers like the UAE (45%) and Saudi Arabia (40%). Behind these numbers lies intent. A low-cash economy, 95% financial inclusion, and one of the region’s most open regulatory sandboxes have made Bahrain a launchpad for innovation in payments, lending, and digital identity. Government-backed initiatives, eKYC frameworks, and high smartphone penetration have positioned Bahrain not only as a participant in digital finance but also as its quiet architect in the Gulf. The next wave of banking innovation may not emerge from the largest markets, but from the most connected ones. Insights like these are drawn from IBSi Galaxy, our global FinTech intelligence platform https://lnkd.in/d4H7iUaT #DigitalPayments #FinTechInnovation #Bahrain #GCCBanking #CashlessEconomy #BankingTransformation #FinancialInclusion #CedarIBSi #IBSiGalaxy #FinTechEcosystem

A deep dive into the Saudi Arabian payments landscape reveals some interesting trends. 🇸🇦 According to FXC Intelligence, a surprising 71% of licensed companies offer cross-border payment services – a testament to the country’s growing global connectivity. While banks and EMIs lead the charge, the relatively low adoption among payment institutions (just 13%) suggests potential for growth. As Saudi Arabia continues to invest in tourism and attract international visitors, the need for robust and accessible cross-border payment options will only increase. Key takeaways: Strong bank representation in cross-border payments. Growing role of digital wallets. Opportunity for payment institutions to expand their offerings. Explore the full analysis here: [https://lnkd.in/dWSju77Q] What are your predictions for the future of payments in Saudi Arabia? #SaudiArabia #Fintech #Payments #CrossBorder #MarketTrends

QNB Group, the largest financial institution in the #MiddleEast and #Africa, announced the #license approval has been received for a digital-first banking entity, ezbank, from the Central Bank of Egypt. Read more: https://lnkd.in/ekr_V3NB QNB Group #FintechNewsQatar #QNBGroup #ezbank #CBE #License #Qatar #Egypt #GCC #DigitalBanking #QatarFintechNews

Under Vision 2040, the Central Bank of Oman (CBO) has become a driving force in the country’s shift towards a “smart, cashless economy,” promoting innovation, security, and regional integration across the financial sector. In the October issue of Central Bank Payments News, we catch up with Ali Al Jabri, Acting Deputy CTO for Payment Systems at CBO, for an exclusive conversation facilitated with the support of ProgressSoft Corporation. In our wide-ranging conversation, Al Jabri describes how CBO is: 👉 Modernising the National Payment System, from the RTGS system and ACH to the Mobile Payment Clearing and Settlement System and more 👉 Strengthening regional financial integration through the GCC’s AFAQ platform, GCCNET, and Buna 👉 Building strategic partnerships with technology and solution providers to foster innovation, enhance resilience, and ensure regulatory alignment 👉 Preparing for the next phase of instant payments beyond PTP transactions and planning for a regional cross-border instant payment rail Find out more in this month’s issue! https://lnkd.in/g9v6sc8D Not yet a subscriber? See our website for annual subscription options. #oman #payments #centralbanks #instantpayments #crossborderpayments