CrediMax B.S.C.
CrediMax B.S.C. is a Bahraini, Central Bank of Bahrain-licensed credit card issuer and acquirer, wholly owned by BBK, serving consumers (credit, prepaid, Sharia-compliant, youth, co-branded cards) and merchants (POS, payment gateway, kiosk integration) across the Kingdom.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1999
- HeadquartersManama, Bahrain
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What CrediMax B.S.C. does
CrediMax B.S.C. is a Bahrain-based, Central Bank of Bahrain-licensed financing company that issues and acquires credit cards. Established in April 1999 as an independent subsidiary of BBK (Bank of Bahrain and Kuwait), with operational origins tracing back to July 1991 when it was BBK's in-house card unit issuing the country's first credit card, the company today operates as a single-country, two-sided payments business serving both consumers and merchants. Its consumer product set spans standard credit cards, prepaid cards (including the multi-currency Cardy Ex), Sharia-compliant cards, youth cards (iLead), corporate cards, and co-branded products such as the 2026 talabat Credit Card with Mastercard Platinum benefits. Merchant-side offerings include POS terminals, an online payment gateway, kiosk integration, and the QuickPay bill-payment service, with additional reach through the Fawateer bill-payment platform.
The underlying technology stack is conventional card-issuing and acquiring infrastructure: a CrediMax Digital mobile app (iOS/Android), self-service portals for PIN change, record updates, and balance transfer, plus integrated POS, gateway, and kiosk endpoints. Mobile-wallet support includes Apple Pay and Samsung Pay for prepaid cards. There is no disclosed proprietary AI/ML, model, or data-asset capability in the available data; differentiation comes from regulatory licensure, first-mover brand recognition, two-decade merchant relationships, the Thameen+ loyalty program, and recurring raffle campaigns with luxury prizes.
CrediMax earns revenue from four primary streams: interchange and transaction fees on cardholder spending, merchant acquiring and POS/gateway service fees, annual and ancillary card fees (annual fees, late payment fees, etc.), and installment/financing income on merchant point-of-sale installment plans. GTM is hybrid: digital self-service (website and mobile app) for consumer applications, direct sales for merchant acquiring, and partnership-led co-marketing (Mastercard, Qatar Airways, talabat, SHEIN, Trip.com, eTijwaal, Hope Talents) for customer acquisition and engagement. The company is wholly owned by BBK, with no disclosed external investors and no public listing.
CrediMax B.S.C. firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- CrediMax B.S.C.
- Legal name
- CrediMax B.S.C.
- Website
- https://credimax.com.bh
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1999
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- CrediMax B.S.C. is a Bahraini, Central Bank of Bahrain-licensed credit card issuer and acquirer, wholly owned by BBK, serving consumers (credit, prepaid, Sharia-compliant, youth, co-branded cards) and merchants (POS, payment gateway, kiosk integration) across the Kingdom.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
CrediMax B.S.C. industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Credit Card Issuing and Merchant Acquiring Services
- NAICS
- Credit Card Issuing (522210)
- SIC
- Personal Credit Institutions (6141)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Prepaid Card Program Managers & Issuers (BIN Sponsors) (FSAMANAK)
Keywords
Where CrediMax B.S.C. is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Manama
- HQ country
- Bahrain
- HQ region
- Middle East
Offices1 record
Markets served
CrediMax B.S.C. business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Credit Card Issuance and Interchange: Revenue generated from credit card transactions through interchange fees paid by merchants on every transaction made with CrediMax cards
- Merchant Services and Acquiring: Fees collected from merchants for POS terminal services and payment gateway processing, including transaction fees and service charges
- Card Annual Fees and Charges: Annual fees and charges associated with credit card products, including annual fees, late payment fees, and other card-related charges
- Installment and Financing: Revenue from installment plans allowing cardholders to split purchases into monthly payments with associated interest or fees
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Talabat Credit Card - No annual fee with cashback benefits |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
CrediMax B.S.C. product offering
Product offeringCore offering
CrediMax B.S.C. is the pioneering credit card issuer and acquirer in the Kingdom of Bahrain, issuing consumer and corporate credit, prepaid, Sharia-compliant, and youth cards while providing merchants with POS terminals, payment gateways, and kiosk integration services. It operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary of BBK (Bank of Bahrain and Kuwait) and earns revenue through interchange, merchant fees, annual card charges, and installment financing.
Product overview
CrediMax B.S.C. is Bahrain's first and foremost Credit Card Issuer and Acquirer, offering a comprehensive suite of card products and payment services. The portfolio includes Credit Cards, Prepaid Cards (including multi-currency Cardy Ex Card), Sharia Compliant Cards, and Youth Cards (iLead), alongside Corporate Cards. For merchants, CrediMax provides POS Machines, Payment Gateway, and Kiosks Integration services. The offering is complemented by Thameen+ Loyalty program, Raffle Campaigns with luxury prizes, and QuickPay bill payment services. The talabat Credit Card represents a recent co-branded expansion into e-commerce rewards.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Thameen+: Loyalty program offering rewards and benefits to CrediMax cardholders.
- iLead
Products and services
- Credit Cards Versatile credit card products for individual consumers in Bahrain offering reward programs, travel benefits, insurance coverage, and eco-friendly cards made from recycled materials, with options including HSBC transition cards.
- Prepaid Cards Prepaid card products for individual consumers in Bahrain, including multi-currency options with six different currencies and competitive exchange rates, supporting Apple Pay and Samsung Pay mobile wallet integration.
- Sharia Compliant Cards Islamic finance-compliant credit card products for customers in Bahrain seeking halal financial products that adhere to Sharia principles.
- Youth Cards Financial solutions designed for young users in Bahrain with built-in financial management tools, family oversight capabilities, and youth-focused features.
- iLead Card Card designed for young leaders offering financial empowerment, savings goals, task completion rewards, and financial management control features for youth users.
- talabat Credit Card Co-branded credit card with talabat offering 30% cashback on talabat orders, up to 1% cashback on other retail purchases, free delivery, no annual fee, BD 30 welcome bonus, and Mastercard Platinum benefits, available in Bahrain.
- Corporate Cards Corporate credit card solutions for businesses in Bahrain including expense management and business spending controls.
- POS Machines Point-of-sale terminal services enabling merchants in Bahrain to accept card payments, with multi-location management, 24/7 support, and easy installment options for customers.
- Payment Gateway Online payment processing gateway supporting e-commerce transactions and merchant integration for online sales in Bahrain.
- Kiosks Integration Self-service kiosk payment integration services for businesses in Bahrain to optimize sales and serve customers faster.
- QuickPay Bill payment and fund transfer service allowing customers to pay credit card bills and transfer funds from any bank.
- Cardy Ex Card Multi-currency prepaid card offering six different currencies with competitive exchange rates for international travelers.
Quantifiable outcome
- 30% cashback on talabat orders with co-branded talabat Credit Card
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use CrediMax B.S.C.
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
CrediMax B.S.C. technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
Feature8 records
CrediMax B.S.C. partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.
- talabatflagshipStrategic partnership to launch the talabat Credit Card in Bahrain on May 11, 2026. The co-branded card offers 30% cashback on talabat orders, up to 1% cashback on other retail purchases, free delivery, no annual fee, BD 30 welcome bonus, and Mastercard Platinum benefits. Partnership aims to accelerate digital adoption, increase customer lifetime value, and set a benchmark for co-branded payment propositions in the region's e-commerce landscape.
- MastercardcoreMastercard serves as the payment network partner for CrediMax cards and the talabat Credit Card co-branded initiative, providing Platinum benefits and co-marketing support. Long-standing partnership as card network provider.
- Qatar AirwayscorePartnership to offer discounts to CrediMax cardholders on Qatar Airways services, enhancing travel benefits for card users.
- Hope TalentsminorPartnership to empower Bahrain's youth through financial education and card products tailored for young users.
- Middle East TradersminorPartnership offering double reward points to CrediMax cardholders when shopping at Middle East Traders.
- eTijwaalminorMarketing partnership offering 15% cashback on eTijwaal eSIM packages for CrediMax Mastercard holders.
- Trip.comminorMastercard-mediated partnership offering up to 20% discount on flights and hotels with Trip.com for eligible CrediMax cardholders.
- SHEINminorMarketing partnership offering 25% off on SHEIN purchases (capped at USD 66) for CrediMax Mastercard credit card holders.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
CrediMax B.S.C. competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Benefit Company: Bahrain's national electronic payment network, operating BenefitPay and the country's ATM/POS switching infrastructure. Directly comparable to CrediMax as a Bahrain-based payments operator with a dominant local footprint, competing for the same merchant and consumer relationships.
- Network International: Leading MENA payment processor and acquirer serving banks and merchants across the region. Directly comparable to CrediMax on the acquiring and payment processing side, with overlap in target merchant customers and core technology stack.
Regional players
- KNET: Kuwait's national payment network and switching operator, run by the Kuwait Banking Association. Comparable as a national-scale payments infrastructure provider in a Gulf market with a similar structure to CrediMax's Bahrain franchise.
- Mada: Saudi Arabia's national payment network operated under SAMA's framework, providing card scheme and POS switching locally. Comparable in role and business model to CrediMax, though in a much larger national market.
- NAPS (National Payment Systems): Qatar's national payment network and switching operator. Comparable to CrediMax as a Gulf-based national payments platform serving consumers and merchants in a single country.
Emerging players
- Tap Payments: MENA-based payment processor and acquirer focused on digital commerce and developer-friendly APIs. Comparable to CrediMax on the acquiring and payment gateway side, with stronger technology orientation and a multi-country footprint.
Broad incumbents
- First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB): UAE's largest bank and a major card issuer and acquirer in the region. Comparable to CrediMax as a large-scale card issuer with full issuing and acquiring capabilities, though operating across multiple countries and lines of business.
- Emirates NBD: Major UAE bank with a sizeable credit card portfolio and merchant acquiring presence in the Gulf. Comparable to CrediMax in card issuing, customer segments (premium, lifestyle, co-branded), and merchant services.
- Mashreq Bank: UAE-headquartered bank with a strong regional card issuing franchise and digital banking presence. Comparable to CrediMax on card issuance, rewards programs, and Gulf market focus, but with broader geographic and product reach.
- American Express: Global card issuer and acquirer with a focus on premium consumers, charge cards, and merchant acquiring. Comparable to CrediMax on the issuing and premium-card positioning side, especially given CrediMax's Mastercard premium-card award, though at vastly greater scale.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
CrediMax B.S.C. social profiles
Digital presenceCrediMax B.S.C. compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
CrediMax B.S.C. financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
CrediMax B.S.C. leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
CrediMax B.S.C. funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
CrediMax B.S.C. M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about CrediMax B.S.C.
What does CrediMax B.S.C. do?
CrediMax B.S.C. is the pioneering credit card issuer and acquirer in the Kingdom of Bahrain, issuing consumer and corporate credit, prepaid, Sharia-compliant, and youth cards while providing merchants with POS terminals, payment gateways, and kiosk integration services. It operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary of BBK (Bank of Bahrain and Kuwait) and earns revenue through interchange, merchant fees, annual card charges, and installment financing.
Is CrediMax B.S.C. a public or private company?
CrediMax B.S.C. is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was CrediMax B.S.C. founded?
CrediMax B.S.C. was founded in 1999. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is CrediMax B.S.C. based?
CrediMax B.S.C. is headquartered in Manama, Bahrain, in the Middle East region.
How does CrediMax B.S.C. make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Credit Card Issuance and Interchange is the primary driver. The others are merchant Services and Acquiring, card Annual Fees and Charges and installment and Financing.
Who are CrediMax B.S.C.'s main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Benefit Company and Network International. Regional players are KNET, Mada and NAPS (National Payment Systems). Tap Payments is listed as an emerging player. Broad incumbents are First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB), Emirates NBD, Mashreq Bank and American Express.
Does CrediMax B.S.C. have an API?
No public API is recorded for CrediMax B.S.C..
What industry is CrediMax B.S.C. in?
CrediMax B.S.C.'s product category is Credit Card Issuing and Merchant Acquiring Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSAMANAK, Prepaid Card Program Managers & Issuers (BIN Sponsors). Its NAICS code is 522210 and its SIC code is 6141.