BBK launches the Youth Advisory Council (YAC) to empower youth and advance innovation

13 Apr 2026

BBK, a leader in retail and corporate banking in the Kingdom of Bahrain, has announced the launch of the Youth Advisory Council (YAC), a new initiative aimed at bringing youth perspectives more directly into the Bank’s strategic thinking and future planning.

The move reflects BBK’s continued efforts to invest in emerging talent, strengthen its culture of innovation and create meaningful channels that enable young voices to contribute to the Bank’s long-term development. It also aligns with the objectives of Bahrain Economic Vision 2030, which places strong emphasis on empowering youth as active contributors to national progress and prosperity.

The Council brings together a carefully selected group of internal and external young talents, forming a distinctive structure that operates in the capacity of an advisory body operating under the BBK Spark (Innovation Management Office). This integrated approach enables the incorporation of diverse, real-world perspectives directly into the Bank’s strategic ecosystem.

The initiative is also expected to serve as a vital link between youth and the Bank’s executive management, creating a more direct and constructive exchange of ideas that can support the decision-making process and contribute to a more future focused institutional outlook. By combining informed analysis with the ambitions and perspectives of youth, the Council is designed to support more dynamic thinking across the Bank and reinforce BBK’s readiness to the opportunities and challenges ahead.

This Council is a testament to BBK’s approach to innovation, which is grounded in harnessing internal capabilities while remaining open to perspectives from the wider community. It also reinforces BBK’s position as a forward-looking financial institution that recognizes the importance of youth in shaping the future of the banking and financial services sector.

Commenting on the launch, Mr. Mohamed Alaali, Group Chief Strategy & Transformation Officer at BBK, said: “The establishment of the Youth Advisory Council affirms BBK’s belief that youth play a central role in sustainable development and represent a powerful force for progress within any institution that seeks to lead and evolve. We have strong confidence in the ability of youth to contribute high quality ideas and to play a meaningful role in enhancing the Bank’s services and products.”

Mr. Alaali further added, “Our commitment to listening to youth perspectives stems from a strategic approach that seeks to bring together the value of experience and the energy

of young minds. Through this balance, we aim to help shape a financial future that is resilient, sustainable and aligned with global developments in corporate growth and social responsibility.”

Ms. Eman Deabil, Head of Strategy and Innovation at BBK, commented: “At BBK, youth represent a vital source of fresh thinking and practical insight that can help shape the future of modern banking. We look forward to the Council serving as a dynamic platform for the exchange of ideas and for reinforcing a stronger culture of innovation across the Bank.”

Ms. Deabil further noted that the Council is expected to help turn challenges into opportunities by giving young people an active role in shaping the roadmap for future products and services, thereby supporting BBK’s efforts to remain at the forefront of innovation in the banking sector.