In this interview with Abdulla Kanoo, Co-Founder and Co-Chief Executive Officer at ARP Digital we are exploring Bahrain’s growing role as a fintech hub, ARP Digital and NBB redefine investment opportunities with the GCC’s first Bitcoin-linked Structured Investment.

What approach or strategy did the ARP Digital and NBB together adopt in introducing the GCC’s first Bitcoin-linked Structured Investment?

 Our collaboration with the National Bank of Bahrain (NBB) in introducing the first Bitcoin-linked Structured Investment in the GCC marks a significant step forward. At ARP Digital, we aim to bridge the gap between traditional finance and digital assets within a secure, regulated environment. This investment product provides our clients with an opportunity to gain exposure to Bitcoin’s potential, while also ensuring capital preservation—a critical balance for the emerging digital market in the region.”

 The partnership with NBB allows us to leverage their expertise and credibility, reinforcing our commitment to transparency and security. We wanted to create a unique offering that enables accredited investors in the region to explore digital assets confidently, with the backing of trusted institutions.”

How has Bahrain as a market evolved in terms of the digital transformation occurring in other markets across the Middle East?

Bahrain has embraced digital transformation proactively, positioning itself as a financial technology hub. With forward-thinking regulatory support from the Central Bank of Bahrain, we’re seeing a shift towards fintech innovation that is bringing new possibilities. Bahrain is becoming a gateway for digital assets in the Middle East, and ARP Digital is proud to be at the forefront of this transformation.

Absolutely, Bahrain’s regulatory landscape is encouraging fintech and crypto innovation while ensuring safeguards. This evolution aligns well with our vision at ARP Digital, where we strive to develop secure and compliant investment products that address the needs of our clients in this rapidly evolving space.

How does this Bitcoin-linked Structured Investment align with the broader strategy for your wealth management clients?

For ARP Digital, this product is an important part of our strategy to offer secure, diversified investment opportunities. Many of our wealth management clients seek exposure to digital assets but require assurances around security and regulatory compliance. The Bitcoin-linked Structured Investment provides that balance, allowing clients to participate in Bitcoin’s growth while preserving their capital.

Our clients are increasingly interested in digital assets, but they need products that suit their risk profile. This investment aligns perfectly with ARP Digital’s commitment to offering innovative financial products tailored to the specific needs of high-net-worth individuals in the GCC.

How does this product position ARP Digital within the regional market as a leader in digital asset investments?

Introducing this product with NBB establishes ARP Digital as a pioneer in the GCC’s digital finance space. We’re setting a benchmark for regulated and secure digital asset investments, reinforcing our reputation as a trusted partner for high-net-worth individuals and institutions looking to explore this asset class.

By launching this first-of-its-kind product in the GCC, ARP Digital is leading the way in bridging traditional and digital finance. Our commitment to innovative, secure, and compliant products is helping to set a new standard in the region.

How do you envision the future of digital asset investment products, especially in the context of Bahrain’s ambition to be a fintech hub?

We anticipate that digital asset products will become increasingly sophisticated, meeting the demand for new, diversified investment options. Bahrain’s regulatory framework is encouraging fintech growth, making it an ideal location for developing secure and innovative digital asset products. ARP Digital is excited to continue creating solutions that contribute to this vision.

Digital assets are here to stay, and Bahrain’s forward-looking approach positions it well as a regional leader. We see enormous potential for Bahrain to be a fintech hub, and ARP Digital aims to be a key player in offering secure, innovative digital solutions to meet evolving market needs.

How do you see emerging technologies such as blockchain and AI playing a deeper role among financial institutions, and are legacy banks adapting to these changes?

Emerging technologies like blockchain and AI are transforming financial institutions by enabling greater efficiency, security, and transparency. We’re seeing legacy banks adapt by embracing these technologies to better serve their clients and stay relevant in a changing landscape.

Partnerships like ours with NBB demonstrate that legacy banks are open to collaboration and innovation in digital finance. Blockchain, AI, and digital assets aren’t just trends—they’re foundational shifts in the way finance operates, and ARP Digital is committed to leading these advancements.

By Akshay Sardana, VP of Strategy & International Development, Continental Group

Wealth management has undergone a transformative shift. It is no longer confined to the realms of mere asset accumulation and now embraces a holistic approach that addresses the diverse and evolving needs of clients at every financial stage. With the growing recognition that each client’s financial journey is unique – shaped by their life goals, aspirations, and challenges – wealth management isn’t just about managing money anymore; it’s about creating a tailored financial blueprint that adapts to the client’s changing needs over time. Today’s wealth management landscape offers a compelling opportunity for financial institutions to reimagine their role.

Meeting clients where they are

At the heart of modern wealth management lies the principle of personalization. Clients today expect more than cookie-cutter solutions. They are looking for strategies that truly align with their personal goals and circumstances. Whether they’re focused on growing their wealth, preparing for retirement, or managing complex tax situations, the emphasis is now on creating financial plans that are as unique as the individuals themselves.

This tailored approach begins with a deep understanding of the client’s financial situation. It’s not just about crunching numbers – it’s about having meaningful conversations to uncover what matters most to them. This depth of insight allows wealth managers to create financial plans that are both solid and adaptable, ready to evolve as life changes.

Take, for instance, a client whose primary objective is ensuring their family’s financial safety. For them, insurance becomes more than a product – it’s a cornerstone of their financial strategy. It offers peace of mind, acting as a safety net against unforeseen events. Integrating such protection isn’t always straightforward, but with the right expertise, it can seamlessly complement their broader wealth plan, reinforcing their sense of security.

Insurance often gets sidelined in wealth management discussions, yet it’s a quiet powerhouse in protecting and preserving wealth. Beyond offering peace of mind, it acts as a crucial safety net against life’s unexpected turns. Navigating its intricacies, however, isn’t always straightforward. This is where having the right expertise – especially through well-aligned partnerships – can transform a complex task into a seamless part of a client’s financial strategy.

Navigating complexity with trust and expertise

Incorporating these varied financial elements isn’t just about ticking boxes – it’s about delivering a seamless experience where every aspect of a client’s wealth is interconnected. Whether it’s guiding a client through turbulent markets or helping them plan a legacy that spans generations, the goal remains the same: creating strategies that are both resilient and deeply personal.

Take multi-generational wealth transfer as an example. It’s not just about passing down wealth; it’s about doing so in a way that respects family dynamics, minimizes tax burdens, and ensures long-term sustainability. Such intricate planning requires more than just surface-level expertise. It calls for a collaborative approach where wealth managers, legal experts, and tax specialists work in harmony, each bringing their unique insights to the table. This kind of collaboration ensures that clients receive well-rounded, informed advice tailored to their specific needs.

But expertise alone isn’t enough. Today’s clients are savvy. They want transparency. They need to know that every decision made on their behalf is clear, ethical, and in their best interest. This is why trust is everything. It’s built through open, honest conversations where clients feel fully informed about their options. When clients trust that their advisors are not only skilled but also acting with integrity, that’s when true long-term partnerships are forged. In wealth management, this trust is what sets apart good service from exceptional, ensuring clients feel secure and confident in every step of their financial journey.

The role of education and adaptability

A critical part of building this trust is education. Clients today are more informed than ever, and they expect clarity in every aspect of their financial journey. When we demystify complex concepts – be it investment strategies, tax implications, or insurance options – we empower clients to make decisions with confidence. Transparency in this process isn’t just about ticking regulatory boxes; it’s about fostering a genuine, lasting partnership where clients feel truly understood.

But trust doesn’t stop at education – it extends to how we handle change. The financial world moves quickly, and so do our clients’ lives. Whether it’s a shift in market conditions, change in government regime, or a personal life event, being able to adapt is crucial. Flexibility is what allows us to keep our clients’ plans on track, ensuring their financial goals remain within reach despite the uncertainties. This adaptability isn’t about reacting; it’s about anticipating, staying one step ahead, and guiding clients through both calm and turbulent times with confidence.

When you’re managing the intricate financial needs of any client, the stakes are high. And, so, it is becoming increasingly clear that the future of wealth management lies in collaboration between innovative institutions. It will be about blending expertise with transparency, ensuring every decision is informed and every plan resilient. Financial institutions have a unique role in this journey – not as isolated service providers, but as part of a collaborative ecosystem.

By Hetarth Patel, VP – Growth Markets (MEA, Americas, APAC), WebEngage

The banking sector in the MENA region finds itself at a critical crossroads. On one hand, the macroeconomic environment is conducive to growth – favorable policies, rising consumer spending post-COVID, and a surge in demand for housing and auto loans. On the other hand, foundational banking metrics like the growth of Current Account Saving Accounts (CASA) tell a sobering story. This is more than just a balance sheet concern; it signals a deeper issue of customer engagement and trust.

Customers are increasingly holding cash or turning to alternative investment vehicles like fintech products. This shift raises an important question for banking leaders: how can banks retain relevance in a landscape where digital-first competitors are capturing customer mindshare and, more importantly, their funds?

The challenge is not limited to deposits. Consumer banking, despite the growth in financing, remains sluggish with segment growth hovering around 5-6%. This is a stark contrast to the growing appetite for personal loans, driven by lifestyle demands and a recovering economy. What’s missing is a cohesive strategy that marries digital transformation with deep customer engagement.

Digital transformation demands more

For years, digital transformation in banking has been synonymous with offering online services – primarily web-based portals for transactions and utility bill payments. While this was revolutionary in its time, the digital age demands more. The shift from internet to mobile banking is underway, evidenced by a 13% annual growth in mobile transactions. However, this shift is not translating into increased app adoption. A mere 10% of a bank’s customer base engaging with its app is a missed opportunity, one that speaks volumes about the current digital experience banks are offering.

Banking apps often suffer from uninspired interfaces, a lack of engaging content, and generic offers that fail to resonate with individual customers. For instance, consider a customer who spends significantly on travel. Instead of offering generic dining discounts, targeted travel-related offers could create a more relevant and engaging user experience. Similarly, nudges like reminders to pay credit card bills before incurring late fees, or velocity-based insights to offer small loans when account balances are low, reflect the potential for meaningful, personalized interactions.

Retention and engagement technologies have the power to transform this narrative. These tools are not about superficial engagement but about building meaningful relationships with customers at every touchpoint. Personalized reminders for upcoming festivals paired with relevant financial products, like promoting lower interest rates on loans during Ramadan, demonstrate how nuanced customer insights can drive engagement and loyalty.

A well-executed retention strategy can boost app subscriptions to nearly 10% annually, expand the digital user base by 20-30%, and even reverse the negative trends in internet banking usage. More critically, it can revitalize CASA, driving upto 5-8% increase in current account deposits – a lifeline for banks aiming to enhance their lending capabilities.

Customer journey mapping is key

The transformation mustn’t stop there. The absence of robust customer journey mapping in many banks today represents another missed opportunity. Understanding how customers interact with banking services, identifying friction points, and proactively addressing them can redefine the customer experience.

For example, consider the journey of a customer opening a secondary account with a bank. The account setup might be efficient, but without ongoing engagement – such as personalized updates on spending trends or tailored financial advice – the relationship risks going dormant. Post-onboarding interaction and targeted engagement are weak – and in some case, missing – links today.

The insurance arm of banking is equally ripe for disruption. Persistency ratios, particularly in auto insurance, hinge on timely and relevant engagement. Connecting with customers well before their Mulkiya renewal ensures brand recall and increases the likelihood of policy renewal with the same provider. Also, real-time service enhancements, like reducing wait times at hospitals or pharmacies through proactive system responses, can significantly improve the customer experience.

This principle applies across other insurance verticals as well – health, life, and critical illness. For expatriates, trust often resides with brands from their home countries. Local insurers have a dual challenge: building trust and educating potential customers. Here too, retention technology plays a pivotal role – analyzing churn patterns and enhancing real-time service delivery can drastically improve renewal rates and customer satisfaction.

Competing with fintechs through agility

In this race towards digital excellence, the aspiration for many traditional banks is clear: to compete with, and even outperform, fintechs. Brands like Halan and ValU are showing encouraging signs in the MENA region and have become benchmarks or sorts because of their retention strategies. However, calling oneself a neobank or launching a fintech arm is not enough. True fintech agility requires organizational transformation – embracing data-driven decision-making, fostering a culture of rapid iteration, and prioritizing customer-centric innovations.

The future of banking is one where customer relationships are not transactional but relational. Banks that invest in retention and engagement technologies will find themselves at the forefront of this evolution.