Kurdistan and Iraq have seen a growing trend toward digitization in many sectors over the last ten years. The development of the financial sector has been one of the most noteworthy of these shifts. First Iraqi Bank (FIB), a fully digital bank established in 2022 to revolutionize how Iraqis deal with their finances, is at the center of this change.
FIB was founded with the specific goal of modernizing financial access, promoting digital inclusion, and bringing Iraq’s banking system into the twenty-first century in a nation that had historically relied on cash-based transactions and conventional banking methods. In addition to satisfying the needs of today’s users, FIB is establishing a new benchmark for the future with its user-friendly, mobile-first platform, strong security protocols, and extensive suite of intelligent financial tools.
A New Era of Banking in Iraq
FIB represents more than just a digital alternative to brick-and-mortar banking. It stands as a symbol of financial empowerment, giving people from all walks of life the ability to open accounts, manage money, and access essential financial services, all from their smartphones.
According to official figures, FIB already boasts over 1,000,000 active users and more than 20,000 registered businesses, a milestone that reflects the appetite for modern, tech-driven banking solutions in Iraq.
Whether you’re a student saving for tuition, a small business owner handling daily transactions, or a family trying to budget expenses, FIB is designed to meet your needs — simply, securely, and efficiently.
Digital Account Creation: Banking Made Effortless
One of the most revolutionary aspects of FIB is its digital account creation process. Unlike traditional banks, which require in-person visits and lengthy paperwork, FIB allows users to open a personal or business account in minutes, entirely online.
Through the FIB app (available on both Android and iOS), users can:
- Submit their information securely
- Verify their identity via biometric authentication
- Receive immediate access to their new account
This onboarding process reflects FIB’s broader vision: to remove friction from financial services, especially for Iraq’s younger and tech-savvy population.
Comprehensive Banking Services at Your Fingertips
FIB is not just a bank — it’s a full-service digital ecosystem. Below is an overview of its key offerings:
1. Card Services
FIB provides a range of Visa card options tailored to different lifestyles and needs:
- Physical Cards: Ideal for in-store purchases and ATM withdrawals.
- Virtual Cards: Issued instantly for secure online shopping.
- Family Cards: Linked to your main account, perfect for giving controlled spending access to children or other family members.
- ISIC Cards: Designed for students, offering access to global student benefits and discounts.
2. QR Code Payments
FIB supports fast, secure, and contactless QR payments, allowing customers to scan and pay with ease — whether they’re shopping at a local market or dining at a café.
3. Dream Account
A standout feature, the Dream Account is like a virtual piggy bank within your main account. It allows users to set savings goals and allocate funds toward them — whether it’s for a trip, a gadget, or future plans.
4. Family Card
This tool allows users to:
- Create and assign Visa cards to family members
- Allocate monthly or weekly spending budgets
- Monitor transactions in real time
It’s a simple yet effective way to teach financial responsibility or manage household expenses from one central account.
5. Domestic Transfers
FIB makes it easy to send and receive money instantly between FIB accounts via the mobile app — no queues, no cash, no delays.
6. Cashback Rewards
Everyday spending becomes more rewarding with FIB’s Cashback feature, which offers real returns on eligible purchases. It’s a small but meaningful way to incentivize digital payments and enhance customer loyalty.
Security and Compliance: Peace of Mind in Every Transaction
As a fully digital bank, FIB places immense importance on user trust and data protection. The platform is built with industry-grade security and compliance measures, including:
- Biometric authentication (face and fingerprint recognition)
- Encrypted communication channels
- Multi-layer login verification
- User-controlled card freezing and account settings
These measures ensure that every transaction, login, and data transfer is secure, private, and protected.
Business Banking and Merchant Services
FIB isn’t just for individuals. It’s also a powerful tool for businesses and entrepreneurs across Iraq, offering:
- Business accounts with fast setup
- Access to QR code payment integration
- Customizable user permissions
- Real-time expense tracking
From home-based startups to established retail shops, FIB is helping Iraqi businesses embrace the digital economy without the need for expensive infrastructure or long wait times.
Integration, Accessibility, and User Experience
FIB’s design philosophy centers on accessibility and ease of use. The app — available in both Arabic and English — is intuitive, responsive, and tailored for real-life users, not just financial experts.
Whether you’re managing your savings, reviewing your transaction history, or freezing a card in case it’s lost, everything can be done in just a few taps. And because FIB is mobile-first, it removes the geographic barriers that have long limited access to banking services, especially in rural or underserved areas.
One of the most powerful components of First Iraqi Bank’s digital ecosystem is its growing infrastructure for payment integration and merchant services — tools designed not just for convenience, but to fuel Iraq’s expanding digital economy.
Merchant Integration: Connecting Businesses with Consumers
FIB provides a robust backend for businesses of all sizes to integrate secure payment options directly into their operations, both online and offline. Whether you’re a local grocery store or an e-commerce startup, FIB offers APIs and QR-based infrastructure that allow you to:
- Accept QR code payments instantly
- Track incoming payments in real time
- Automate reconciliation and invoicing
- Access transaction history and analytics through the merchant dashboard
For small and mid-sized businesses without complex IT systems, FIB’s ready-to-use merchant tools make it easy to go digital — often with no need for expensive hardware or POS systems.
QR Code Payments for Retail and Services
For brick-and-mortar stores, restaurants, salons, delivery services, and professionals, FIB’s QR-based payment solution is a game changer. Customers simply scan the merchant’s QR code using the FIB mobile app, enter the amount, and confirm — creating a frictionless, cashless transaction that’s fast and secure.
This method is particularly valuable in Iraq, where cash still dominates but where consumer interest in digital convenience is rising fast. FIB offers businesses a gateway to modern payment acceptance without the barriers of legacy financial systems.
E-Commerce and Online Payment Gateway Integration
FIB is actively building out e-commerce payment gateway capabilities, allowing online sellers and platforms to integrate secure payment acceptance using FIB’s services. Key advantages include:
- Instant settlement to FIB business accounts
- Support for Visa card payments
- API integration for websites and mobile apps
- Fraud detection and secure tokenized transactions
- Multi-device compatibility for both desktop and mobile shoppers
As Iraq’s e-commerce market continues to grow, FIB’s digital-first banking model ensures that merchants are equipped to accept payments from anywhere in the country, and soon — from anywhere in the world.
Cross-Platform Compatibility and Developer Support
To further support innovation and fintech development in the region, FIB is expanding access to:
- Developer APIs for custom integrations
- Webhooks and sandbox environments for testing transactions
- SDKs and technical documentation for faster deployment
- Third-party plug-ins for CMS and e-commerce platforms (WordPress)
FIB Payment Gateway: Built for Developers, Designed for Growth
To empower businesses, startups, and developers across Iraq and the region, First Iraqi Bank (FIB) offers a full-featured payment gateway that allows seamless integration of digital payment capabilities into any online platform.
Whether you’re running an e-commerce store on WordPress, building a custom app in NodeJS or Python, or developing with Laravel or PHP, FIB’s SDKs and plugins make integration fast, secure, and scalable.
Here’s a breakdown of FIB’s current supported development environments:
1. WordPress / WooCommerce Integration
Plugin Link: https://wordpress.org/plugins/fib-payments-gateway/
FIB offers an official WordPress plugin that integrates directly with WooCommerce, allowing thousands of Iraqi online shops to accept payments with ease.
Key Features:
- Easy setup with no coding required
- Full compatibility with WooCommerce checkout
- Secure Visa/Mada payments
- Arabic and English support
Ideal For: Online sellers, local stores, and service providers using WordPress for e-commerce.
2. NodeJS SDK
NPM Link: https://www.npmjs.com/package/@first-iraqi-bank/sdk
For developers building web or mobile applications in JavaScript, FIB provides a robust NodeJS SDK.
Features:
- RESTful API structure
- Create and manage transactions
- Webhook integration for real-time status updates
- Full documentation included
Ideal For: Tech startups, payment service providers, and app developers.
3. Python SDK
PyPI Link: https://pypi.org/project/fib-python-payment-sdk/
FIB’s Python SDK allows seamless integration into backend systems built with Django, Flask, or other Python frameworks.
Features:
- Lightweight, well-documented
- Secure token-based payments
- Easy deployment on server-side applications
Ideal For: Data platforms, web services, and AI-driven applications in need of secure payment processing.
4. Laravel SDK
Composer Link: https://packagist.org/packages/first-iraqi-bank/fib-laravel-payment-sdk
Laravel developers can use this SDK to quickly integrate FIB payments into any PHP application with Laravel architecture.
Features:
- Clean API wrappers for Laravel
- Middleware-friendly
- Blade and form-ready utilities
Ideal For: Developers building custom business systems or advanced websites in Laravel.
5. Pure PHP SDK
Composer Link: https://packagist.org/packages/first-iraqi-bank/fib-php-payment-sdk
For developers who prefer working in vanilla PHP, FIB also offers a dedicated SDK.
Features:
- Flexible payment processing tools
- Works with or without frameworks
- Suitable for legacy systems or standalone integrations
Ideal For: Developers working in raw PHP environments or upgrading older systems.
This strategy aligns with FIB’s mission to nurture a thriving digital ecosystem, enabling developers, startups, and enterprises to build financial experiences directly on top of FIB’s banking infrastructure.
FIB’s integrated approach to payments not only simplifies transactions, it empowers a new generation of Iraqi entrepreneurs and businesses. Whether operating in-person or online, they now have access to secure, scalable, and modern financial tools built with both usability and compliance in mind.
By bridging consumers, small merchants, and the broader digital market, FIB is positioning itself as Iraq’s most trusted digital payment partner, not just a bank.
Customer Support and Community Engagement
FIB goes beyond transactions by building trust-based relationships with its users. Its customer support is available through:
- Live chat within the app
- Email and phone support
- Regular updates and educational content through social media
Additionally, the bank is actively involved in digital literacy and financial education, helping users better understand budgeting, saving, and responsible financial management.
Why Choose FIB’s Payment Gateway?
- Made for Iraq: Local language support, regional compliance, and KNET/Mada readiness
- Fast settlement: Direct payment into FIB business accounts
- Modern security: Encrypted transactions, secure tokens, and fraud prevention
- Comprehensive developer tools: Full sandbox environments, webhook notifications, and support documentation
First Iraqi Bank is more than just Iraq’s first fully digital bank — it’s a movement toward financial freedom, innovation, and accessibility. In a country where traditional banking has struggled to meet the needs of a modern population, FIB has boldly stepped in to fill the gap with technology-driven, human-focused solutions.
By placing power in the hands of everyday users, First Iraqi Bank is reshaping how Iraqis interact with money, not just for today, but for generations to come.
Whether you’re managing your first paycheck, saving for your future, or running a growing business, FIB makes banking something it’s never been before in Iraq: personal, powerful, and always in your pocket.
