A foundation of dedicated service
BBK, formally known as Bank of Bahrain and Kuwait B.S.C, was established on 16th March 1971 in accordance with the Amiri decree and started operations a year later.
The shareholding is a unique structure where the general public and quasi-government institutions in Bahrain hold 50%, while the other half is held by nine banks and investment companies from the State of Kuwait.
In 1972, the Bank began operations with a capital of BD 1 million (US$ 2.5 million). Today, it has grown to become one of the largest commercial banks in Bahrain, with a capital base of BD 102 million (US$ 270 million).
The bank has a strong regional presence. In addition to the 21 domestic branches that it has in Bahrain, it also has a branch in the State of Kuwait, as well as two branches in the Republic of India and a representative office in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. In Kuwait, the inauguration of the newly - constructed, multi-storey branch building in the Sharq district of Kuwait City was attended by the Governors of the Central Bank of Kuwait and the Bahrain Monetary Agency, Bank of Bahrain and Kuwait board members, senior government officials and distinguished guests. The branch started to implement an ambitious new business strategy to increase its market share of the competitive corporate and retail markets. To support this strategy, the Board approved a KD 12.5 million subordinated loan to strengthen the branch's capital base and attract increased loan and trade business from major corporations. On the retail side, the Bank launched a new Executive loan product, expanded the ATM network, and introduced a new e-banking service for retail customers. The Central Bank of Kuwait approved the Bank's application to launch certificates of deposit up to KD 100 million, which will be used to boost the branch's deposit base and improve its liquidity ratios.
In the last few years, the Bank has established a number of subsidiaries in the areas of brokerage, financial services and credit cards.
BBK takes pride in being able to provide a full range of lending, deposit, treasury and investment services to various sectors of the domestic and regional markets, using state-of-the-art technology. The Bank plays a major role in financing infrastructural and industrial projects in Bahrain and the Gulf, creating products and services that cater to the needs of individual borrowers, depositors and investors.