Amman, September 2024: Jordan Ahli Bank was recently awarded the title of ‘Best Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Strategy and Framework in the Banking Sector in Jordan for 2024’ as part of the renowned annual International Finance Awards. Granted by the illustrious British business and finance publication, International Finance Magazine, this distinguished accolade recognizes the bank’s steadfast commitment to global best practices and standards.   International Finance Magazine presented Jordan Ahli Bank with this award following a rigorous evaluation process. The bank submitted detailed reports demonstrating its efforts within the award category and underwent a thorough analysis of its performance in the Jordanian market, successfully passing all the necessary stages to earn this recognition.   On this occasion, Jordan Ahli Bank CEO/General Manager, Dr. Ahmad Al-Hussein, expressed his pride in securing this distinct award, stating, “Driven by our firm belief that responsible practices are the key to a prosperous future, Jordan Ahli Bank is dedicated to implementing a strategy that strengthens our efforts to address global environmental challenges, promote social equity and ensure good governance.”   He added, “This acknowledgment highlights Jordan Ahli Bank’s leadership in this field, both within the banking sector and beyond. It stems from our pledge to advance sustainable development and good governance, as well as offer services and solutions that benefit all segments of society, contribute to their financial inclusion and support them in achieving their goals. Furthermore, it serves as motivation for us to continue the path we’ve started, leaving a positive imprint on our institution, the environment and the community.”   Recently, Jordan Ahli Bank unveiled the first locally issued Sustainability Bond in Jordan in collaboration with the International Finance Corporation, a member of the World Bank Group. Proceeds from the bond issuance will support vital green and social projects, including green SMEs and women-owned or women-led enterprises.   The Sustainability Bond reflects Jordan Ahli Bank’s keen interest in fostering partnerships with global organizations to establish a responsible and sustainable banking sector, contributing to positive social and environmental impacts while delivering long-term value to investors and stakeholders. It also underscores the bank’s adherence to international best practices and transparency, aligning with Jordan’s Economic Modernization Vision and internationally recognized green and social bond principles.   International Finance Magazine is a trusted source of information for C-level executives, senior decision-makers and leaders across key markets in Europe, the Middle East, Asia-Pacific, Africa and Latin America. The magazine’s awards span various categories, namely Banking, Finance, Insurance, Real Estate, Leadership, Technology, Telecom, Utilities, Transportation, Healthcare and Brokerage. To meet the needs of its readers, the magazine launched International Market Metrics in 2016 to extend specialized corporate training in key markets on crisis communication, risk management and banking regulations.

Amman, August 2024: Jordan Ahli Bank has recently joined the Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financials (PCAF), a collaboration between financial institutions worldwide facilitating harmonized assessments and disclosures of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions financed by loans and investments. By becoming a member of PCAF, Jordan Ahli Bank is taking a significant step towards improving the transparency and accountability of its environmental impact reporting, in alignment with the Paris Agreement, while supporting the bank’s broader strategy to embed sustainability into its financial operations. As part of this commitment, the bank aims to measure and disclose GHG emissions associated with bank loans and investments, positioning itself as a leader in responsible banking. Through its affiliation with PCAF, Jordan Ahli Bank conforms to a network of like-minded institutions, enhancing its ability to provide transparent and consistent reports on its financed emissions to stakeholders. This partnership also corresponds with its objective of transitioning towards a low-carbon economy and empowering national efforts in this regard. “This partnership with PCAF is an important milestone for Jordan Ahli Bank, equipping us with an industry-standard methodology that paves the way for sustainability in Jordan’s banking sector. By participating in this global initiative, we can better assess our portfolio’s carbon intensity and emissions and bolster our risk management strategy, while advancing our mission to promote shared prosperity and address climate risks,” stated Jordan Ahli Bank CEO/General Manager, Dr. Ahmad Al-Hussein.

Amman, August 26, 2024: Jordan Ahli Bank has announced the first locally issued Sustainability Bond in Jordan, valued at USD 50 million, in collaboration with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group. This bond represents a significant milestone in the bank’s journey towards sustainable and responsible finance, aimed at funding projects that generate positive environmental and social impacts.   Aligned with the Kingdom’s Economic Modernization Vision, the International Capital Market Association’s Green Bond Principles and Social Bond Principles and the Central Bank of Jordan’s Green Finance and Inclusion Strategies, this bond exemplifies Jordan Ahli Bank’s adherence to international best practices and transparency.   Proceeds from the bond issuance will be directed toward vital green and social projects. These include supporting green SMEs, as well as women-owned or women-led SMEs.   The Sustainability Bond highlights Jordan Ahli Bank’s keen interest in forging instrumental partnerships with global organizations to foster a robust and responsible banking sector, advance sustainable investments in the Kingdom and positively impact society and the environment while delivering long-term value for investors and stakeholders.   “This bond, issued together with the IFC, marks a significant step forward in our commitment to sustainable and responsible finance, which is a crucial growth area for both Jordan Ahli Bank and the wider banking sector. It aligns seamlessly with Jordan’s strategic goals for economic modernization and sustainable development, supporting green businesses – especially SMEs – and enhancing social inclusion. Throughout the issuance process, we are dedicated to ensuring the funds are used responsibly and transparently, in line with our sustainability goals. By financing these impactful projects, we aim to contribute to a more sustainable and prosperous future while creating long-term value for our stakeholders,” commented Jordan Ahli Bank CEO/General Manager, Dr. Ahmad Al-Hussein.   “Innovative private sector investments are needed to help Jordan’s banking sector transition toward sustainable finance and tackle pressing climate challenges,” said Khawaja Aftab Ahmed, IFC’s Regional Director for the Middle East, Pakistan and Afghanistan. “This investment, fully aligned with Jordan’s Economic Modernization vision (EMV) and World Bank Group Country Climate and Diagnostic Report (CCDR), will help Jordan Ahli Bank boost its green lending, expand access to finance for underserved small and medium businesses, including women-owned ones, and contribute to Jordan’s growing assets market.”

Amman, June 2024: Jordan Ahli Bank has signed a new partnership agreement with Network International Jordan – the leading local provider of digital commerce services in the Middle East and Africa – to add Qawn Business app to Network International Jordan’s network and its point-of-sale (POS) terminals and payment acceptance devices.   Through this partnership, Qawn seeks to establish a system enabling micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) to accept the widely used CliQ instant payment service in Jordan via Qawn Business, available at over 30,000 POS terminals and payment acceptance devices. It also offers the capability to transform any mobile phone or Android device into a payment device using a special app feature, enhancing payment acceptance and providing customers with greater payment options.   Qawn Business also lends a sales and payment acceptance service via QR codes through CliQ, in addition to other key features that enable merchants to promote their products to attract customer interest and keep them informed of the latest updates and offers, while managing their financial and commercial transactions with ease and convenience.   “At Jordan Ahli Bank, we are dedicated to advancing digital banking solutions and contributing to the development of a cashless society. Through our collaboration with Network International Jordan, Qawn Business is positioned to transform business management by providing a smooth and secure payment method across Jordan. We look forward to more initiatives together that place us at the forefront of current innovators revolutionizing the fintech domain in the Kingdom,” commented Jordan Ahli Bank Chief Innovation Officer, Nidal Khalifeh.   In turn, Network International Jordan Regional Managing Director for the Levant, Yazan Al Kharouf, stated, “We continuously strive to foster strategic partnerships with our local partners, merging our digital services to provide effective digital solutions that cater to the needs of SMEs. Notably, we offer non-traditional payment options such as CliQ, which enables instant money transfers to merchants and business owners. This underscores our strategy to digitalize the e-payments sector and promote digital financial inclusion, thus benefiting the economy and market dynamics at large.”

In celebration of the birth of Her Royal Highness Princess Iman bint Al Hussein, Jordan Ahli Bank proudly joins the ‘Congratulations to Al Hussein’ (نبارك للحسين) initiative by offering scholarships to Jordanian students.   To mark the joyous arrival of the newest member of the Hashemite family, Princess Iman bint Al Hussein bin Abdullah II, Jordan Ahli Bank has announced the launch of ten full scholarships to support orphaned students. These scholarships are presented as donations to the Al Aman Fund for the Future of Orphans. Established by Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah in 2003, the Al Aman Fund aims to assist orphans who have spent most or all of their childhood in orphanages, as well as those supported by registered orphan care associations, providing them with a brighter future and the best educational opportunities.   On this wonderful occasion, the Jordan Ahli Bank family extends heartfelt congratulations to His Majesty King Abdullah II, Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II, his wife Princess Rajwa Al Hussein, and the entire esteemed Hashemite family on the birth of His Majesty’s first granddaughter and the eldest daughter of the Crown Prince. May God bless her with abundant health and happiness, and may she be a source of endless joy for her parents.