Mumtalakat and ARP Group Plan AI-Native Wholesale Bank in Bahrain

Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company, the sovereign wealth fund of the Kingdom of Bahrain, and ARP Group announced a partnership to establish an artificial intelligence-native wholesale bank in Bahrain, according to a statement released during the Gateway Gulf 2026 forum in Manama.

The proposed institution is designed to serve institutional clients with both regional and international banking needs, positioning Bahrain as a hub for next-generation financial infrastructure in the Gulf. The announcement was made at one of the region's prominent business and investment gatherings, signaling the strategic importance both partners place on the venture.

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Mumtalakat manages Bahrain's sovereign assets across a diversified portfolio, while ARP Group brings its own institutional expertise to the arrangement. The combination of sovereign backing and private-sector capabilities is intended to underpin the credibility and capitalization of the new bank from its inception.

The concept of an AI-native bank — one built from the ground up around artificial intelligence rather than retrofitting legacy systems — reflects a broader trend among Gulf financial institutions seeking to leapfrog traditional banking infrastructure. Wholesale banks focused on institutional clients typically handle large-scale transactions, corporate lending, and capital markets activity rather than retail deposits.

Further details on licensing timelines, capital commitments, and the bank's planned service offerings were not disclosed in the initial announcement. Continue reading at All Financial Services & Investing.