Bahrain · Banking & Payments

ila Bank

Open a full bank account in minutes with just an ID and a selfie - no branch visit - on Bahrain's pioneering digital-only bank.

What it helps with

Opening an account without a branchID and a selfie.
Holding several currenciesMulti-currency accounts.
A card for online shopping todayInstant virtual card.

About ila Bank

ila Bank, launched in 2019 by Bank ABC, was Bahrain's first digital, mobile-only bank, built from the ground up as an app-first product rather than a digital add-on to an existing branch network. It offers completely digital onboarding, instant virtual cards, multiple foreign-currency accounts on one card, and a current account that pays daily-calculated interest - while still being backed by Bank ABC, an international bank with over 40 years of history in Bahrain.

Key Features

Fully Digital Onboarding: Open an account within minutes using just two forms of ID and a selfie.
Instant Virtual Card: Get a virtual debit card immediately for online transactions while your physical card is issued.
Multi-Currency Accounts: Hold several foreign-currency accounts linked to a single card with low-fee transfers between them.
Full Card Control: Freeze, unfreeze, reissue or set your PIN entirely within the app.

How to Get Started

Download the ila app from the App Store or Google Play.
Complete the digital onboarding process with your ID and a selfie.
Fund your account through the app's supported payment channels.
Use the app to manage your accounts, cards and transfers.

Before you use it

Sign-up: Onboarding needs a valid CPR card and passport; visitors without a CPR cannot open an account.
Limits: There are no branches, so large cash deposits need another bank.

English available Local ID needed

Frequently Asked Questions

Does ila Bank work with a foreign bank card in Bahrain?: Not reliably - a foreign card may be declined. Check the notice above, or plan to use a local payment method.
Is ila Bank available in English?: Yes, ila Bank has an English-language interface.
Do I need a local phone number to use ila Bank?: No, an international phone number generally works for ila Bank.
Do I need local ID or residency for ila Bank?: Yes, ila Bank requires local ID or residency status.
Where can I use ila Bank?: iOS · Android
How much does ila Bank cost?: No branch fees; card and FX fees per tariff