Bank Leumi ranked Israel’s top bank for AI adoption
New regional index places bank in top ten across Middle East and Africa.
Bank Leumi has been ranked the leading Israeli bank for artificial intelligence adoption in a new regional benchmark covering banks across the Middle East and Africa.
The Evident AI Index for Banks placed Leumi as the only Israeli bank in the regional top ten and ranked it second in the region for innovation. The index assesses financial institutions based on four factors: talent, innovation, leadership and transparency, using publicly available data.
The ranking reflects Leumi’s growing investment in artificial intelligence in recent years. The bank has expanded the use of AI tools across its operations and last year established a dedicated AI center reporting directly to CEO Hanan Friedman. The center oversees the development and deployment of AI-based products for customers.
Leumi says its AI strategy has contributed to improved efficiency. In its first-quarter 2026 results, the bank reported an efficiency ratio of 29.1%. The bank has a market value of about NIS 100 billion ($36 billion).
“We are building a different kind of banking,” said CEO Hanan Friedman. “AI is enabling us to deliver more personalized services while improving efficiency and operating with fewer resources.”
Evident, which compiled the index, said Leumi’s ranking was supported by its innovation efforts, including investment activity in AI-focused startups.
The index covers 25 banks in the region and is based on analysis of publicly available information.
