Abdulkarim Mohamed Alzakari

Abdulkarim Mohamed Alzakari was appointed Acting Chief Executive Officer of Khaleeji Bank, one of the leading Islamic banks in the Kingdom of Bahrain. Alzakari brings nearly 20 years of experience in the banking sector, with specialised expertise in risk management, finance, and credit within Islamic banking. He succeeds Sattam Algosaibi who stepped down from the role on March 31, 2026.

Alzakari holds distinguished academic and professional qualifications, including a Master of Business Administration from London Business School, and a Bachelor's degree in Financial Risk Management and Investment from City University – Cass Business School. He is also a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charterholder and holds the Professional Risk Manager (PRM) certification, in addition to advanced certifications in quantitative finance and risk management.

Career History

• Acting Chief Executive Officer, Khaleeji Bank (April 2026–present)
• Chief Financial Officer, Khaleeji Bank (2020–2026), where he played a key role in guiding major financial decisions and enhancing financial resource management and profitability
• Chief Risk Officer, Khaleeji Bank, leading major governance and operational transformations
• Head of Credit Review and Senior Manager of Risk Management, Kuwait Finance House-Bahrain (August 2007–September 2020)
• Position in Wealth Management, Merrill Lynch (2006)

What Alzakari could bring to Acting CEO at Khaleeji Bank: His appointment reflects the board's confidence in his deep institutional knowledge, having held multiple senior leadership roles within the bank since 2020. With expertise in risk management framework strengthening, financial optimization, and Islamic banking operations, combined with his advanced professional certifications and executive education, Alzakari is positioned to provide continuity while driving operational efficiency and innovation in an evolving banking landscape.