Middle East Bank
Middle East Bank Public Joint Stock Company is a Tehran-headquartered Iranian bank listed on the Tehran Stock Exchange under ticker وخاور (Vekhavar). Established in 2012, it provides corporate, institutional and retail banking, digital banking, credit facilities, transfers and investment funds across Iranian branches, with an additional branch in Munich. It is a relevant banking and compliance counterparty for firms operating in Iran.
Market position
Middle East Bank is a Tehran Stock Exchange-listed Iranian bank with a stated focus on corporate and institutional customers alongside retail banking services.
Operations & footprint
Products and services
Middle East Bank provides commercial banking, corporate banking, deposits, lending, credit services, foreign-exchange-related services, trade-related banking support, treasury services, digital banking, and financial services for companies, institutions, and higher-value clients operating across Iran's formal banking and credit channels.
Operations and assets
The bank operated 16 domestic branches in 2020: 10 in Tehran and six across Isfahan, Tabriz, Shiraz, Karaj, Kerman and Mashhad. It also operates a Munich Branch in Germany, established in 2018.
Geographic footprint
Iranian operations span Tehran, Isfahan, Tabriz, Shiraz, Karaj, Kerman and Mashhad. The bank also maintains a branch in Munich, Germany.
Commercial and investment relevance
Middle East Bank is relevant for investors assessing Iran's private banking layer, corporate lending capacity, and the quality of formal financial intermediation. It can help map which sectors may obtain structured banking services, where credit risk is concentrated, and how listed-bank disclosures reflect broader stress or opportunity in the financial system. For market-entry work, it is also a useful node for counterparty checks, treasury planning, and banking-access risk analysis. The bank is a potential domestic banking counterparty for companies requiring deposits, lending, payment transfers and digital banking services in Iran. Its corporate and institutional orientation is particularly relevant to larger operating businesses and financial partners.
Constraints, risk & compliance
Key risks and constraints
The domestic network was reported at 16 branches in 2020, limiting the physical footprint relative to larger nationwide banking networks. International banking activity is also constrained by the bank’s U.S. sanctions designation.
Sanctions and compliance considerations
Middle East Bank was designated by the U.S. Treasury Department on 8 October 2020. Transactions involving the bank require sanctions, correspondent-banking and jurisdiction-specific legal screening.
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Frequently asked questions
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What does Middle East Bank do?
Middle East Bank provides corporate, institutional and retail banking services, including deposits, credit facilities, money transfers, investment funds and digital banking.
Is Middle East Bank publicly listed?
Yes. Middle East Bank is listed on the Tehran Stock Exchange under ticker وخاور (Vekhavar).
Where does Middle East Bank operate?
The bank is headquartered in Tehran and has operated branches in Tehran, Isfahan, Tabriz, Shiraz, Karaj, Kerman and Mashhad, as well as a branch in Munich, Germany.
What sanctions consideration applies to Middle East Bank?
Middle East Bank was designated by the U.S. Treasury Department on 8 October 2020; dealings with the bank require appropriate sanctions and legal review.