We have invested heavily in improving our governance standards to world class levels.  Why? Not only to comply with regulatory requirements, of course, but also because we believe that ‘Governance Matters.’ Governance is the framework through which authority is exercised, decisions are made, and accountability is enforced within an organization. At its core, governance is not merely about compliance, it is about stewardship.

Good governance enables:

1. Trust and Legitimacy: Strong governance builds trust among stakeholders—investors, employees, customers, regulators, and the broader public. It assures them that the organization operates ethically, transparently, and in their best interests.
   
   
2. Strategic Clarity and Oversight: Governance sets the boundaries within which strategy is formed and executed. A well-functioning board ensures that management is challenged constructively, risks are weighed wisely, and the long-term vision remains intact.
   
   
3. Risk Management: Good governance aims to protect organizations from internal and external threats, be it financial misreporting, regulatory breaches, or reputational damage. It places checks and balances to mitigate these risks before they escalate.
   
   
4. Performance and Sustainability: Research consistently shows that companies with strong governance outperform over the long term. They allocate capital more efficiently, innovate responsibly, and are better positioned to adapt to market shifts and societal expectations.
   
   
5. Values and Culture: Governance is the transmission belt between values and behavior. The board shapes corporate culture, which in turn drives daily decisions across the organization. Without principled governance, organizations drift toward short-termism at the expense of shared prosperity.
   
   
6. Resilience in Crisis: In times of turbulence, whether economic, political, or environmental, organizations with sound governance are more likely to navigate the storm and emerge stronger. They act faster, more cohesively and with greater moral clarity.
   
   

Over the last decade, ahli bank board of directors led the national governance reform in Jordan by requesting a detailed 3rd party ‘governance audit’ conducted by Deloitte. It was then followed by a review by Deloitte of all the board functions including compliance, audit and risk management. Deloitte then benchmarked ahli bank’s governance and control function standards to world class organizations and identified many gaps that needed to be closed. As of the last assessment conducted by Deloitte in 2023, we have achieved the highest level of governance maturity (classified as ‘intelligent’) and scored 4.5 out of 5 on our risk, audit, and compliance functions.

Our governance work continues, because it is continuous and is never perfect. However, our intention is to continue in maturing sustainable, world class governance standards that enable an institutional, value driven framework of strategic execution, oversight and accountability.