As part of its preparations to transition into a Shariah-compliant bank, the Training & Talent Development team at Gulf Bank has launched the second phase of its employee training program on Islamic Banking principles, reaffirming the Bank’s commitment to embedding Shariah-compliant practices across all key departments, in line with the requirements of the Central Bank of Kuwait.

Gulf Bank announced the launch of the second phase of its comprehensive Islamic Banking training program for employees, reaffirming its commitment to supporting the Bank’s strategic transformation into a fully Shariah-compliant financial institution and embedding Islamic banking principles across its core functions.

The program forms part of Gulf Bank’s broader Strategy 2030 roadmap, which aims to position the Bank as a leading Islamic financial institution that delivers innovative, customer-centric solutions aligned with evolving market needs and the highest professional standards.

Building on the success of the first phase, the second phase focuses on strengthening practical and applied capabilities while developing specialized expertise across key business areas including Retail Banking, Corporate Banking, Risk Management, Treasury, Finance, and other core functions.

The expanded program is designed to equip employees with the knowledge and skills required to effectively apply Islamic finance principles and solutions across their respective roles, further enhancing Gulf Bank’s readiness for its planned transition to Islamic banking.

The training is being delivered in collaboration with the Kuwait Institute of Banking Studies and the Bahrain Institute of Banking and Finance, with the objective of establishing a strong institutional knowledge base in Islamic banking and increasing awareness of the key distinctions between conventional banking services and Shariah-compliant solutions.

Through practical case studies and specialized learning modules, participants will gain hands-on exposure to Islamic finance applications, including corporate banking products, Shariah-compliant financing structures, transaction documentation, and client advisory solutions that support customers throughout the transition journey.

Mr. Hamed Al-Tamimi, Acting Chief Human Resources Officer at Gulf Bank stated:

“This program reflects Gulf Bank’s continued investment in its people as a key driver of our strategic transformation. By enhancing our employees’ capabilities in Islamic banking, we are building the expertise required to support our transition, strengthen our core business, and unlock new opportunities for sustainable growth.”

Mr. AlTamimi reaffirmed: “Our ambition extends beyond conversion. We aim to create integrated ecosystems that embed Islamic finance solutions across sectors such as housing, trade, and SME financing, while continuing to meet the changing needs of our customers and the wider market.”

It is worth noting that Gulf Bank received initial approval from the Central Bank of Kuwait on 18 August 2025 to transition into a Shariah-compliant bank, in accordance with the provisions of Law No. (32) of 1968 on Currency, the Central Bank of Kuwait and the Organization of the Banking Business as amended, and based on the outcome of the Feasibility Study of conversion, which was conducted by a specialized international consultancy firm, following the successful completion of all required technical, legal, and regulatory assessments submitted to the Central Bank of Kuwait.