The Banking Executive Magazine - September 2025 Issue

ordan Jordan Wins Presidency OF ADVISORY BOARD OF ARAB BANKING ASSOCIATIONS It was convened under Jordan’s co- presidency, alongside the United Arab Emirates, of the MENA Finan- cial Action Task Force (MENAFATF) for 2025–2026 Jordan, represented by the Associa- tion of Banks, won the chairmanship of the Advisory Board of the Arab Banking Associations, during the meeting on Thursday in Beirut. According to a statement, Secretary- General of the Union of Arab Banks Wissam Fattouh, stressed that the election of Jordan reflects the "lead- ing" role played by the Association of Banks at the local and regional lev- els. He also highlighted the importance of collective work among inter-Arab bank associations to enhance consul- tation and exchange of expertise and unify positions in a way that con- tributes to creating "common" visions towards regional and international banking issues. Director General of the Association, Maher Mahrouq, stressed that the election of Jordan is an important in- dicator of the “prestigious reputation and distinguished position enjoyed by the Jordanian banking system, as well as the active role played by the Association of Banks at the regional and international levels, thanks to its extensive experience and long his- tory in the banking business.” He explained that the association will form an institutional platform for the exchange of knowledge and ex- pertise between member associa- tions, which will contribute to raising the level of institutional performance and developing "joint" policies and training programmes. Central Bank of Jordan (CBJ) Gover- nor and Chair of the National Com- mittee for Anti-Money Laundering and Counter- Terrorist Financing, Adel Sharkas, has presided over the first meeting of "regional" central bank governors. Sharkas underscored the importance of building “robust” anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist fi- nancing systems in the region, stress- ing that adequate financial and human resources are essential. The meeting was held on the side- lines of the 49th session of the Coun- cil of Governors of Arab Central Banks and Monetary Authorities, hosted by Tunisia under the Arab Monetary Fund framework. It was convened under Jordan’s co- presidency, alongside the United Arab Emirates, of the MENA Finan- cial Action Task Force (MENAFATF) for 2025–2026. The meeting marked the first meeting at this level within the group’s action plan, aimed at strengthening "effec- tiveness" at both regional and global levels. The event was attended by Financial Action Task Force (FATF) President Elisa De AndaMadrazo, MENAFATF President and Jordan’s representative Samia Abu Sharif, Vice-President and UAE representative Hamid Al Zaabi, and MENAFATF Executive Secretary Suleiman Al Jebrin. The timing of the meeting coincided with the launch of the third round of mutual evaluations in the region’s anti-money laundering and counter- terrorist financing (AML/CFT) frame- work, which also covers the prevention of arms proliferation fi- nancing. the BANKING EXECUTIVE 46 ISSUE 201 SEPTEMBER 2025