Khaleeji Bank Taps Razi Almerbati as New CEO for Strategic Growth

Abdelrahman Amr

Last updated 29-06-2026

3 min

Khaleeji Bank will appoint Razi Almerbati as CEO from 17 August 2026.

He replaces acting chief Abdulkarim Mohamed Alzakari after an interim period.

Almerbati brings 21 years’ experience and previously led GFH Capital.

He also held investment and board roles across the GFH Group.

The move signals a push for stability and growth in Bahrain’s Islamic banking sector.

Khaleeji Bank in Bahrain is preparing for a leadership change this summer, with Razi Almerbati set to step in as Chief Executive Officer from 17 August 2026. He will take over from Abdulkarim Mohamed Alzakari, who has been serving as acting CEO since April.

Leadership transitions in banks are always a big moment — not just for staff, but for investors and the wider market too. In startup circles across MENA, we often say that the right leadership can make or break the next chapter of growth. I’ve seen young founders agonise over CEO hires; in banking, the stakes are arguably even higher.

Almerbati is not new to the scene. He brings 21 years of experience in the banking sector, and that’s no small feat in a region where financial services have been evolving at breakneck speed. Before this appointment, he served as CEO of GFH Capital in Saudi Arabia. He also held the position of Head of Investment Placement and Relationship Management at GFH Bank, formerly known as GFH Financial Group. That background suggests he knows his way around both investment strategy and client relationships — a combination that, frankly, can be spot on for an Islamic lender operating in a competitive market.

His links to the wider financial ecosystem do not stop there. Almerbati is currently a board member at Esterad Investment Company in Bahrain. In addition, he sits on the boards of several subsidiaries within the GFH Group. That kind of cross-board presence can be a double-edged sword, but it often signals strong regional networks and deep market trust.

On the flip side, stepping into the top job always comes with pressure. Khaleeji Bank has had a period of interim leadership since April, and stability at the top will be crucial. I reckon the bank’s board will be looking for continuity as much as fresh momentum — well… I mean, who wouldn’t?

For Bahrain’s banking sector, which continues to position itself as a hub for Islamic finance, this appointment feels significant. Experienced hands at the helm can help institutions navigate regulation, investor expectations and shifting economic headwinds without too much faff.

At Arageek, we’re always chuffed to bits to see regional financial leaders building careers that stretch across borders. It signals maturity in the ecosystem. That said, the real test for Almerbati will only begin once he officially takes the reins in August. Steering a bank is not a sprint; it’s definitely a marathon — and one where every decision matters.

The coming months will show how this next chapter unfolds for Khaleeji Bank and whether this leadership shift delivers the stability and growth stakeholders will be watching for so closely.

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