Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, March 2026 – Trade Bank of Iraq – Saudi Arabia has announced the appointment of Abdullah Hamzi as Chief Operating Officer (COO), reinforcing its leadership team as it strengthens its operational footprint in the Kingdom. In this role, Abdullah will lead enterprise-wide operations, governance, and regulatory execution, focusing on building a robust and scalable operating model aligned with Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) frameworks, while driving operational excellence and sustainable growth.
Sharing his perspective on the new role, Abdullah Hamzi stated that his focus will be on strengthening governance, enhancing operational efficiency, and advancing digital capabilities to support a high-performing and future-ready banking environment.
Prior to joining Trade Bank of Iraq, Abdullah Hamzi served as Acting Chief Executive Officer at National Bank of Iraq – Saudi Arabia, where he led overall strategic direction, regulatory alignment, and operational performance. His leadership was instrumental in strengthening governance frameworks, driving digital transformation, and aligning operations with Saudi Vision 2030 priorities.
Earlier, he held the position of Head of Operations and Trade at National Bank of Iraq – Saudi Arabia, where he led cross-functional banking operations, managed payment systems, and ensured regulatory compliance with SAMA requirements. He also contributed to national-level initiatives as a member of the Banking Operations Officers Committee (BOOC), driving operational excellence across the sector.
Before this, Abdullah served as Vice President – Head of Operations and Safety & Security at Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) in Saudi Arabia, where he managed core banking operations, regulatory reporting, and audit readiness, while collaborating with technology teams to enhance operational platforms and system efficiency.
He also held leadership roles at the National Bank of Bahrain as Head of Operations, overseeing treasury, payments, trade finance, and compliance functions, and spent over 14 years with Emirates NBD, where he progressed through multiple roles including Operations Manager, Payments Team Leader, and Treasury Operations Specialist, building deep expertise in banking operations, treasury, and financial systems.
Abdullah began his career at The Saudi Investment Bank as Treasury Operations Supervisor, developing a strong foundation in treasury settlements, compliance, and financial operations.
About Trade Bank of Iraq – Saudi Arabia
The Trade Bank of Iraq (TBI) was established in July 2003 as an independent governmental entity under the General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers, with the objective of facilitating the import and export of goods and services to and from Iraq, supporting the country’s economic development and reconstruction. With a paid-up capital of USD 3 billion, TBI is recognized as one of the leading banks in the Middle East in trade and investment financing.
The bank’s Saudi Arabia branch focuses on providing banking services to companies and financial institutions, facilitating cross-border commercial transactions, and strengthening trade ties between Saudi Arabia and Iraq. It also supports investors by enabling banking access and financial connectivity across both markets.
Read Also : When HR “Produces Nothing”: A Response to Jennifer Sey’s Anti-HR Vision
The Fine Balance: Navigating Work, Life, and Mental Wellbeing
Mind the Leadership Gap – From Learning to Real-World Impact
How the Adecco Group is empowering its employees for the future of work
