​​​​BBK, Bahrain’s pioneer in retail and commercial banking, has announced the commencement of its pioneering Fintech Management Trainee Programme in a move towards further developing the FinTech ecosystem in the Kingdom of Bahrain, and setting the foundation for the Bank’s digital transformation journey.

The Programme, which welcomed a number of bright, local talent into the BBK offices, will take place over 3 months and include 10 intensive courses, tech talks, panels and exercises designed to develop the digital skill set of the country’s youth while shaping a new FinTech culture in the Kingdom. It will explore topics such as Data Science & Analytics, DevOps, Cloud Computing, Blockchain, User Interface and User Experience Design, Agile Project Management, Information and Cyber Security, Card Processing, Machine Learning and IOT among others.

​Mr. Reyadh Sater, Chief Executive of BBK commented: “Financial technologies are transforming the way we bank in Bahrain and across the globe and this revolution has seen a demand for new industry roles such as data analysts, innovation experts, designers, AI and machine learning specialists. Simply, we need a new generation of bankers that are equipped with the skills to meet the changing needs of customers in today’s fast paced digitized economy.”

Mr. Hassan Burshaid, General Manager Human Resources &Administration Group said “Bahrain recognized some time ago that the creation of a pool of local fintech talent was a vital element in fintech success, and that Bahraini youth would be the main driver for FinTech growth in the Kingdom. As such, initiatives such as BBK’s Fintech Management Trainee Programme have been rolled out to harness the youths’ digital skills. At BBK, we are dedicated to developing Bahraini talent through innovation, Agile-thinking and in the application of new technologies. We are nurturing a new generation of Bahraini bankers to not only support the Bank, but also the region’s digital transformation towards a cashless society”, Mr. Burshaid added.

Mr. Sater concluded: “It is through the implementation of programmes such as the BBK Fintech Management Trainee Programme that we aim to further develop the Kingdom’s growing banking sector and equip Bahrainis with skills which are applicable not only in the current economy but beyond and into the foreseeable future”.