Association of Banks in Jordan

What Association of Banks in Jordan does

The Association of Banks in Jordan (ABJ) is a private non-profit professional industry association established in November 1978 in Amman, Jordan, and statutorily mandated under Article 95 of Banking Law number 28 of 2000 (with operating bylaws number 35 of 2005 issued on March 29, 2006) to serve as the official representative body for all banks operating in Jordan. ABJ represents the full universe of 20 commercial and Islamic banks in Jordan — including Arab Bank, Housing Bank for Trade and Finance, Capital Bank, Jordan Ahli Bank, Jordan Kuwait Bank, Arab Jordan Investment Bank, Jordan Islamic Bank, Bank Al-Etihad, and BLOM Bank Jordan — which collectively operate 869 branches, 53 offices, and 2,365 ATMs, employ approximately 22,996 people (35% female), and hold JD 69.85 billion in total assets equivalent to 184.4% of Jordanian GDP.

ABJ's service portfolio comprises industry research and publications (Major Banking Developments annual report, Monthly Banking Bulletin, Monthly Economic Reports, sectoral studies, Economic Sectors Studies), the JODIBOR Jordan Interbank Offered Rate benchmark published daily across six tenors, digital platforms (Allonboard, FinApp) plus shared electronic payment infrastructure (eFAWATEERcom, CliQ), the ABJ Influence Index, and the Al-Bonok specialist monthly magazine published since 1983. The association also delivers professional training programs covering GRI/IFRS sustainability standards, cybersecurity, compliance, and executive development, in partnership with Frankfurt School of Finance and Management, IFC, BAFT, GIZ, ILO, UN Women, and others. Governance is provided by a Board of Directors chaired by H.E. Mr. Bassem Khalil Al-Salem (CEO of Capital Bank) with board seats drawn from each member bank's CEO and a Central Bank of Jordan Deputy Governor; Dr. Maher Al-Mahrouq serves as Director General.

ABJ's revenue model is membership-based, with recurring dues from the 20 member banks funding its operations, training, events, research publications, and regulatory advocacy. The go-to-market is event-driven and relationship-led: ABJ engages member banks through scheduled training programs, industry events (annual Banking Summit, Green Finance Forum, executive dialogue sessions), committee meetings, and formal policy dialogue with the Central Bank of Jordan on SME financing, financial inclusion, sustainability disclosure, digital transformation, and sector stability. ABJ does not publicly disclose membership pricing and operates as a statutory lobby, standards body, research publisher, and benchmarking authority rather than a commercial vendor.

Name

Association of Banks in Jordan

Legal name

Association of Banks in Jordan

Website

https://abj.org.jo

Company type

Private

Founded year

1978

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Association of Banks in Jordan (ABJ) is a non-profit industry association, est. 1978, representing all 20 commercial and Islamic banks operating in Jordan. It provides research, training, the JODIBOR benchmark rate, digital platforms, and policy advocacy in coordination with the Central Bank of Jordan.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Banking Industry Association

NAICS

Offices of Bank Holding Companies (551111)

SIC

Miscellaneous Business Credit Institution (6159)

akta.pro primary industry

Shariah Governance, Compliance & Advisory (Shariah Boards, Audit, Fatwa) (FSABAGAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Islamic Treasury, Liquidity & Interbank (Commodity Murabaha, Sukuk Liquidity) (FSABAGAK), Islamic SME & Commercial Banking (FSABAGAB)

Keywords

• Banking industry association
• Membership dues
• Interbank benchmark rates
• Banking sector research
• Professional training programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Amman

HQ country

Jordan

HQ region

Middle East

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: ABJ generates revenue through membership fees from its 20 member banks operating in Jordan. The association uses these funds to support its operations, training programs, events, research publications, and advocacy activities for the banking sector.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Association of Banks in Jordan is a non-profit membership-based industry association that represents all 20 commercial and Islamic banks operating in Jordan. It provides member banks with industry research, the JODIBOR interbank benchmark rate, professional training programs, regulatory advocacy, electronic payment systems, digital platforms, and serves as the primary liaison between banks and the Central Bank of Jordan.

Product overview

The Association of Banks in Jordan (ABJ) operates as a unified banking association platform providing research, training, and digital services to member banks. The portfolio includes digital platforms (Allonboard and FinApp), benchmark financial products (JODIBOR), electronic payment systems (eFAWATEERcom and CliQ), publication products (Al-Bonok Magazine, Monthly Banking Bulletin, Economic Reports), training programs, and the Green Finance Forum. These products work together to support Jordan's banking sector through research, professional development, digital innovation, and industry collaboration.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Al-Bonok Magazine: A specialized monthly magazine issued by the Association of Banks in Jordan since 1983, serving as a platform for businessmen, researchers, banking, financial and economic institutions.
• JODIBOR
• ABJ Influence Index

Products and services

• Major Banking Developments Report Annual comprehensive report covering banking sector performance, key financial indicators, and developments in Jordan's banking industry, published for member banks and stakeholders.
• JODIBOR (Jordan Interbank Offered Rate) Daily published reference interest rates for the Jordanian banking sector including overnight, one week, one month, three months, six months, and one year rates, serving as the official interbank benchmark.
• Economic Sectors Studies Sectoral studies providing an overview of economic sectors, their interconnection with the banking sector, and comprehensive economic insights for member banks and the public.
• Monthly Banking Bulletin Monthly newsletter highlighting key economic indicators and financial depth indicators of the Jordanian banking sector.
• Monthly Economic Reports Monthly report covering major economic developments, key economic indicators, inflation statistics, and general price levels in Jordan.
• Al-Bonok Magazine Specialized monthly magazine published since 1983 serving as a platform for businessmen, researchers, and banking/financial institutions.
• ABJ Training Programs Structured training programs and calendar for banking sector professional development, including specialized programs like Impact 360 on sustainability and GRI/IFRS standards, cybersecurity, and compliance.
• Allonboard Platform Digital platform provided by ABJ for banking services and financial information access.
• FinApp Financial mobile application platform offered by ABJ for banking and financial services access.
• JODIBOR Daily Rate Publication Daily published JODIBOR reference rates disseminated as downloadable Excel files for market participants (e.g., 25 June 2026 publication with overnight 5.600%, 1-week 5.692%, 1-month 5.874%, 3-month 6.308%, 6-month 6.667%, 1-year 7.066%).
• JODIBOR Daily Prices Download Downloadable Excel file containing JODIBOR daily prices for a given trading day, made available to market participants through the ABJ assets portal.

Quantifiable outcome

• 48 years of continuous service to the Jordanian banking sector since 1978
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• International Finance Corporation (IFC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerABJ partners with IFC on development initiatives for the Jordanian banking sector, including sustainability and green finance programs.
• Frankfurt School of Finance and ManagementcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerABJ collaborates with Frankfurt School on training and professional development programs for banking sector employees.
• BAFT (Bankers Association for Trade and Finance)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerABJ and BAFT signed a Memorandum of Understanding to enhance cooperation in the banking sector, exchanging expertise and best practices.
• Central Bank of JordancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerABJ maintains ongoing collaboration with the Central Bank on banking regulations, SME financing policies, financial inclusion strategy, and sector stability.
• OJAG ConsultingminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerABJ cooperates with OJAG Consulting on executive forums and compliance training programs for banking sector leaders.
• UN Women JordanminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerABJ partners with UN Women Jordan on gender equality initiatives within the banking sector.
• GIZ (German Agency for International Cooperation)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerABJ collaborates with GIZ on development projects for the Jordanian banking sector.
• UK Export Finance (UKEF)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerABJ held introductory meeting with UKEF on cooperation opportunities and project financing in the Jordanian market.
• International Labour Organization (ILO)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerABJ partners with ILO on labor and employment-related initiatives in the banking sector.
• Jordanian Hashemite Fund for Human DevelopmentminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerABJ partners with JHCO on various banking sector development initiatives.

Scale indicators16 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• European Banking Federation: Brussels-based umbrella federation for European banks; comparable to ABJ as a representative industry body for banks, but operating at a multi-country, supranational scale with broader advocacy scope.
• Australian Banking Association: Australian banking industry association; comparable to ABJ in its mandate of representing member banks on policy, advocacy, and industry initiatives, although at significantly larger scale.
• Canadian Bankers Association: Canadian banking industry association representing chartered banks; comparable to ABJ as a national banking association focused on advocacy, research, and member services in a single jurisdiction.
• UK Finance: U.K. trade association for the banking and finance industry; comparable to ABJ in serving as the unified voice for member banks, with similar activities in payments infrastructure, training, and policy advocacy.
• American Bankers Association: U.S. national trade association for banks; analogous to ABJ in function (advocacy, training, benchmarking) but at much larger scale and broader product scope, serving as a benchmark for what a mature banking association can become.

Regional players

• Banks Association of Turkey: National banking association for Turkey; comparable as a regional banking trade body with statutory mandate, similar advocacy/training/payments functions, and a larger but analogous membership structure.
• Saudi Banks Federation: National banking association for Saudi Arabia; closely mirrors ABJ's role as a single-country banking industry body in the same MENA region with comparable mandate and member-bank structure.
• Groupement Professionnel des Banques du Maroc: Moroccan banking professional association; comparable as a regional (Maghreb) banking association with similar member-bank representation, research publications, and interbank rate publication functions.

Emerging players

• Institute of International Finance (IIF): Global association of financial institutions with a strong focus on emerging markets; comparable to ABJ in serving as a convener for banks, producing research, and engaging with regulators — though more globally oriented.

Direct peers

• Union of Arab Banks: Pan-Arab banking association representing banks across the Arab world; directly comparable to ABJ as a regional banking trade body, though operating at a wider multi-country scope.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/a_banksinjordan
• Facebookfacebook.com/a.banksinjordan
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/association-of-banks-in-jordan

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Association of Banks in Jordan