The Arab Bankers Association of North America is a not-for-profit professional association with members from the financial services industry in the Arab world and in North America.  Through its programs, web site and publications, ABANA fosters improved relations, information-sharing and understanding between the Arab and American public and private financial sectors.

History

In 1982, a group of Arab bankers identified a need for an association to foster professional exchange and promote the business interests of the Arab and Arab-American financial community in the US.  The "Kitchen Cabinet," a small group including Issa Baconi, Monir Barakat, Hutham Olayan, Fadi Saab and Charles Yeterian, supported by founding president Fakhruddin Khalil, spent months outlining their vision for this new association and enlisted 45 prominent professionals to join them in launching the Arab Bankers Association of North America (ABANA) in 1983.

Today, ABANA's membership has grown to include more than 60 institutions and 500 individuals.  The membership has also expanded beyond the traditional definition of Arab banker, drawing in Arab and non-Arab professionals from the wider financial services and related sectors with activities in the US and the Arab world.  This diversity is reflected in the breadth of ABANA speakers and event topics over the years, bringing it recognition as the preeminent organization serving the US and Arab financial communities.