Singapore Gulf Bank, the digital bank backed by Bahrain’s sovereign wealth fund Mumtalakat and privately-held Singapore-based investment firm Whampoa Group, has announced the appointment of Shaikh Salman Bin Isa Al Khalifa as an independent director on SGB’s board. 

 

The appointment underscores SGB's commitment to bridging traditional and digital finance while maintaining the highest standards of governance and financial expertise. 

 

Shaikh Salman, with his experience as Deputy Governor for the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB), brings extensive acumen to SGB's board as it prepares for its launch in November 2024. Shaikh Salman held previous roles at the Arab Monetary Fund and Bahrain Monetary Agency. 

 

In his new role, Shaikh Salman will guide SGB's strategic direction and ensure robust governance as SGB builds the world’s first integrated solution for the digital world. 

 

Edmund Lee, Founding Chairman of the Board of SGB, said: "We are honoured to welcome Shaikh Salman to our board. His expertise in finance and economics will be invaluable as we transform the landscape for banking accessibility and look to connect Asia and the Mena region."

 

SGB is the first fully licensed digital bank in Bahrain serving global investors, innovators, and institutions. Geared towards the digital economy, SGB facilitates seamless movement between digital and traditional finance and provides financial connectivity between Asia and Mena region.

 

On his appointment, Shaikh Salman said: "I’m pleased to join SGB at this transformative moment in global finance. Their plans to enable 24/7 real time settlements and introduce secure and seamless on/off ramp solutions will bring a new level of financial connectivity."

 

SGB is pioneering a new era of banking where everyone can easily access and manage digital assets alongside traditional assets within one integrated network. 

 

Underpinned by robust AML/KYC processes, SGB aims to be the vital link between mainstream financial services and the rapidly advancing digital asset economy, empowering the next billion users with access to the future of finance.-TradeArabia News Service