The Banking Executive Magazine - December 2025 Issue

PSD 2025 ISSUE 204 DECEMBER 2025 the BANKING EXECUTIVE 29 ABOUT THE U.S.–MENA PSD The U.S.–MENA Private Sector Dialogue is a long-running initiative designed to foster closer regulatory and banking cooperation between the USA and the Arab world. First established in 2006 by public and private sector stakeholders from both sides, the PSD has since held numerous gatherings aimed at strengthening mutual understanding. It operates as a policy-focused bridge between U.S. authorities (such as the Treasury and Federal Reserve) and MENA-region financial regulators, central banks, and banking executives. By institutionalizing this dialogue, the PSD provides a sustainable platform for tackling issues of common concern – from money laundering and sanctions compliance to financial innovation and inclusion – in a frank and collaborative set- ting. The vision behind the initiative is based on promoting the stability and integrity of the banking sector across both regions. Concretely, the UAB and its partners pursue several key objectives through the PSD framework. This initiative seeks to: • Promote robust AML/CFT standards and strengthen anti-corruption measures. • Support compliance with evolving regulations to safeguard the financial system against security threats. • Foster constructive engagement and communication between U.S. and MENA banking communities. • Strengthen collaboration among regulators, supervisors, and the private sector in addressing shared compli- ance challenges. By pursuing these goals, the U.S.–MENA PSD helps align regulatory expectations and best practices across ju- risdictions. It has become a “much-anticipated event” on the annual banking calendar, drawing a broad coali- tion of institutions – including the IMF and other international bodies – to collectively advance financial integrity and inclusion. In essence, the PSD functions as a trusted forum for policy discussions: it enables US and Arab bankers and regulators to share experiences, discuss emerging trends, and coordinate responses to financial crime and compliance risks. Over time, this dialogue has contributed to building greater trust between corre- spondent banking partners, improving the transparency and resilience of MENA banks, and ensuring that progress in AML/CFT is carried forward through joint efforts. The 2025 edition continued this tradition, rein- forcing the PSD’s importance as a driver of cross-border cooperation in an era of rapid change.