Finance

Digital banks in UAE, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia are posing significant challenges and opportunities for traditional banks in the region. While the prevalence of cash payments remains high, recent government policies, regulatory initiatives, and the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic are spurring rapid changes in the payments landscape. According to a survey conducted by McKinsey, 90% of payment practitioners believe that the shift toward digital payments will be permanent. Nonbank payment providers are predicted to emerge victorious by 60% of survey respondents, highlighting the importance of traditional banks prioritizing digitizing customer journeys and investing in fintech to remain relevant in this dynamic space.