Corporate Governance

Dr. Zead Khalaf is the Chairman of the Board of Directors of International Development Bank and one of its key founders. In less than ten years since its establishment, he has succeeded in transforming International Development Bank from an emerging bank into one of the most trusted banks in Iraq and the region.

Dr. Zead Khalaf, Chairman of the Board of Directors of International Development Bank, is considered one of the bank's key founders, and within less than ten years since its establishment, he has succeeded in transforming International Development Bank from an emerging bank into one of the most trusted banks in Iraq and the region.

Since assuming leadership of the bank in 2015, this period has been known as the "Golden Era," where he introduced advanced technology and established long-term strategic partnerships with global companies in the electronic payment sector, such as "Visa" and "Mastercard."

Dr. Zead Khalaf most prominent achievements are reflected in his leadership of the International Development Bank (IDB) where he has driven significant success through innovative strategies such as product development and the formation of strategic partnerships. These accomplishments have not been limited to Iraq but have extended into global markets.

Under his leadership, IDB has undergone a remarkable transformation, enhancing its financial infrastructure and supporting innovation to expand its international operations. This led to the opening of the bank’s first branch in the United Arab Emirates, making it the first private Iraqi bank to establish a presence in the UAE.

Dr. Zead Khalaf founded ZK Holding Group, successfully transforming a family-owned business into a global success story, which is headquartered in Abu Dhabi, and under its umbrella are sister companies with decades of legacy.

Zead Khalaf serves as the Vice President of Union of Arab Banks, the Board of the International Union of Arab Bankers, the United Nations Economic and Social Council in Geneva, a member of the Board of Directors of the International Chamber of Commerce – UAE (ICC), and a member of the Board of Trustees of the Arab Academy for Administrative, Financial and Banking Sciences.

He holds a Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Technology in Baghdad and an Honorary Doctorate in Financial Sciences from the International University in London.

Saed T. Zuraikat is a seasoned banking executive with nearly three decades of experience across financial institutions, correspondent banking, international operations, treasury, trade finance, and corporate banking.

Throughout his career, he has held senior leadership positions within leading banking institutions, building extensive expertise in managing international banking relationships, developing correspondent banking networks, and driving business growth while maintaining strong governance and risk management standards.

Prior to joining International Development Bank, he held several senior executive positions including Group Head of Financial Institutions. His professional journey has also included board memberships and participation in major international banking and financial forums.

He holds an MBA in International Banking & Finance with Merit from the University of Birmingham, United Kingdom, and a B.Sc. in Accounting with a Minor in Business Administration from the University of Jordan.

Saad Faiq possesses over 45 years of extensive experience in the Iraqi banking sector, with deep expertise on information technology, banking systems, and electronic payment services.

He held high-ranking leadership positions in prestigious financial and banking institutions, including: Executive Director of Information Technology at Rafidain Bank, Executive Director of Insurance Systems Management at the Iraqi Insurance Company, and Executive Director of Banking Systems and Card services at both the Middle East Iraqi Bank and the International Development Bank.

He also served as Managing Director of Al- Arab Electronic Payment Company, and where he played a key role in advancing Iraq’s digital banking infrastructure and electronic payment services.

He currently holds the position of Managing Director of International Development Bank since the end of 2019 and is considered one of the pioneers in the field of digital transformation and enhancing banking performance efficiency in Iraq’s financial landscape.

Engineer Manar Al-Obaidi is one of Iraq's leading talents in the fields of management, finance, and industrial economics.

He is distinguished by experience exceeding twenty years in senior leadership positions, with an impressive record of achievements in the sectors of finance, small and medium enterprises, and industrial and commercial business development.

Al-Obaidi held prominent leadership positions within Iraq and achieved notable successes in supporting and developing the small and medium enterprises sector, in addition to providing strategic consultations to government bodies and enhancing digital transformation and facilitating financing access for projects with economic impact.

He currently serves as Chief Executive Director of First Finance Company for Small and Medium Enterprise Financing, and Chief Executive Officer of the Future Iraq Foundation for Economic Studies and Consultations.

He is known for his excellent capabilities in analysing economic reality, developing innovative expansion and financial strategies, and building integrated operating systems that enhance efficiency and effectiveness, making him a pivotal figure in supporting the building of a sustainable economic future for Iraq.

He has a record of successes that include signing international agreements with prestigious financing institutions such as the International Finance Corporation (IFC), leading digital transformation initiatives, and developing innovative electronic platforms that facilitate financing access for projects with economic impact in Iraq.

Claude Khayat is a seasoned financial and banking professional with over four decades of experience in investment banking, corporate finance, and risk management across the Middle East, Europe, and North America.

Throughout his career, he has held senior leadership roles in leading financial institutions and advisory firms, where he contributed to structuring complex financial transactions, raising capital, and executing mergers and acquisitions. He has been involved in major regional and international projects, including large-scale financing initiatives and strategic investments across sectors such as telecommunications, petrochemicals, and financial services.

He has also played a key role in strengthening risk management frameworks within banking institutions, ensuring alignment with international standards and supporting sound governance and financial stability.

Currently, Claude Khayat serves as a Board Member of BEMO Bank and as Managing Director of a private advisory firm, where he provides strategic financial and investment advisory services across the region. In addition to his professional work, he has contributed to academia by teaching banking, financial engineering, and risk management at leading universities.

He holds an MBA in International Business and Finance, along with degrees in Engineering and Business Administration from the Université de Montréal, and is fluent in Arabic, English, and French.