Bank Leumi Stands Out as Israel's Top Bank for AI Integration in EVIDENT AI Index

Bank Leumi Leads the Charge in AI Adoption in Israel

In a notable achievement, Bank Leumi has been officially recognized as Israel's foremost bank in terms of artificial intelligence (AI) adoption, according to the Evident AI Index for banks across the Middle East and Africa (MEA). This ranking, which evaluates AI capabilities and implementations at leading banking institutions, highlights the bank's commitment to technological advancement and innovation.

An Unparalleled Ranking

Bank Leumi, which is publicly traded on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange (TASE: LUMI), is the only Israeli financial institution to secure a position within the top ten regional banks for AI adoption. Furthermore, it is celebrated for being the second-best in innovation among its peers in the region. This recognition comes after a rigorous analysis of millions of publicly available data sources that were utilized to create the index.

The foundation of the Evident AI Index relies on a weighted assessment of four core pillars: AI capabilities, talent, innovation, leadership, and transparency. The index positions Bank Leumi as a leader in the comprehensive integration of AI into its operations.

Driving AI Development

In recent years, Bank Leumi has made remarkable strides in developing and implementing advanced AI technologies within its services. This strategic initiative is aimed at positioning the bank at the forefront of the AI transformation within Israel's business environment. The establishment of an AI Center, which reports directly to CEO Hanan Friedman, has been pivotal in this endeavor. This dedicated center is responsible for overseeing the bank’s AI-related activities and managing the development of a diverse array of AI products tailored to enhance client experiences.

As a testament to the effectiveness of its AI strategy, Bank Leumi consistently showcases one of the highest efficiency ratios in Israel, boasting a remarkable 29.1% as reported in their recent financial results for the first quarter of 2026. Such efficiency not only reflects the bank's operational excellence but also places it among the most successful financial institutions globally.

Visionary Leadership

Hanan Friedman, the CEO of Bank Leumi, expressed pride in the bank's recognition as a pioneer in the AI revolution within Israel. He stated, "The significant efforts we are investing in AI are bearing fruit and receiving international recognition. Through AI, we are building a different kind of banking - one that delivers a holistic, real-time, and personalized response to our customers' financial needs. This technological transformation is allowing us to operate more efficiently, doing much more with fewer resources."

Robust AI Ecosystem

The strength of Bank Leumi's innovation capabilities is also highlighted by its 'Garage Ventures', an investment arm focused on emerging AI and data startups. This initiative not only bolsters the bank's AI ecosystem but also solidifies its performance in relation to the Evident AI Index, further ensuring its standing among the region's top banks.

Founded more than 120 years ago, Bank Leumi has established itself as Israel's leading financial institution, serving a diverse range of customers, including households, small businesses, and large corporations. The combination of its extensive physical presence and cutting-edge digital solutions enhances its operational efficiencies, placing it among the most competitive banks in the world.

About Evident

Evident serves as an intelligence platform for AI adoption within the financial services sector. It aims to assist financial leaders in navigating changes through insights, benchmarking, and data functionalities provided through its innovative tools like the Use Case Tracker and various indexes covering different financial domains.

This recognition of Bank Leumi as a leading bank in AI adoption underscores the increasing importance of technology in the banking sector and marks a significant milestone in the trajectory of financial services in Israel.