The 100 NRIs – 2026: Jayesh Patel, Chief Executive Officer, WIO Bank
This article forms part of The 100 NRIs, a special edition by Entrepreneur Middle East spotlighting the most influential non-resident Indians shaping business, innovation, and investment across the region.
Jayesh Patel is a trailblazer in the fintech and digital banking sector, spearheading a revolution in the UAE’s financial landscape. As CEO of Wio Bank in Abu Dhabi since December 2020, he has driven the bank’s rapid ascent, transforming it into one of the region’s fastest-growing digital banking institutions.
Renowned for his sharp strategic vision and ambitious outlook, Patel brings over 18 years of regional expertise in pioneering consumer-focused innovations across diverse industries. His previous leadership roles at Emirates NBD, including Head of Liv. Digital Bank, Head of Retail Strategy, and Head of Innovation Strategy, have established him as a key figure in the sector. His experience extends to strategic roles outside banking, such as serving on the Board of the European Financial Management Association (EFMA) and as Assistant Director of Strategic Planning and Performance Management at Qatar Telecom.
At Emirates NBD, Patel was instrumental in launching Liv., the Middle East’s first digital-only lifestyle bank. Designed to cater to Millennials and Gen Z, Liv. is part of Emirates NBD’s long-term strategy to create a digitally native bank that integrates banking and lifestyle within a single app. Wio, Patel’s current venture, offers a range of personal and business accounts, along with Wio Invest, a digital investment platform accessible via the Wio app. Features like a unified debit and credit card, cashback offers, and instant investment options have attracted a broad customer base.
Ownership of WIO is diversified with stakeholders that include ADQ, Alpha Dubai, e&, and FAB. Patel’s academic credentials include an MBA from Dartmouth’s Tuck School of Business and engineering degrees from Illinois. His unwavering commitment to excellence and leadership continues to drive Wio’s success in the rapidly evolving digital banking landscape of the UAE.
This article forms part of The 100 NRIs, a special edition by Entrepreneur Middle East spotlighting the most influential non-resident Indians shaping business, innovation, and investment across the region.
Jayesh Patel is a trailblazer in the fintech and digital banking sector, spearheading a revolution in the UAE’s financial landscape. As CEO of Wio Bank in Abu Dhabi since December 2020, he has driven the bank’s rapid ascent, transforming it into one of the region’s fastest-growing digital banking institutions.
Renowned for his sharp strategic vision and ambitious outlook, Patel brings over 18 years of regional expertise in pioneering consumer-focused innovations across diverse industries. His previous leadership roles at Emirates NBD, including Head of Liv. Digital Bank, Head of Retail Strategy, and Head of Innovation Strategy, have established him as a key figure in the sector. His experience extends to strategic roles outside banking, such as serving on the Board of the European Financial Management Association (EFMA) and as Assistant Director of Strategic Planning and Performance Management at Qatar Telecom.
