Bank Leumi began rolling out its mobile banking app in five languages, opening its digital services to customers who are more comfortable managing their money in English, Arabic, Russian or French.
The bank said the five-language app, which is also available in Hebrew, was a first for Israel’s banking system. The rollout began gradually, and Leumi did not provide a date for its completion.
The move addressed a familiar Israeli reality. Israel is a highly multilingual country shaped by successive waves of immigration and a large Arabic-speaking minority.
Hebrew dominates public life, while Arabic is spoken by roughly one-fifth of the population. Russian became widespread following mass immigration from the former Soviet Union, and Israel also has substantial English- and French-speaking immigrant communities.
Banking in a second language can create serious difficulties for customers navigating loan terms, transfer instructions, fees and legally significant financial information.
Which banking services are available?
Leumi said customers using the new language versions would be able to view their checking and foreign-currency accounts, order credit cards and checkbooks, transfer money in several currencies, exchange foreign currency, open deposits and apply for loans.
The app would also support Zahav transfers. Zahav is Israel’s real-time payment system, generally used for large or time-sensitive transfers that require immediate completion and confirmation.
Some services available through the Hebrew app will be added to the other language versions later, the bank said. It did not specify which functions would initially be unavailable.
Leumi said nearly all common banking transactions could already be completed through the Hebrew version of the app. Customers can also use it to schedule a Zoom call with a banker and begin a digital mortgage process.
Leumi targeted customers who struggle with Hebrew
“Advanced banking must also be accessible, personal and simpler,” said Eyal Efrat, head of Leumi’s banking division.
“We are proud to give hundreds of thousands of customers the ability to manage their financial needs in the language most convenient for them, at any time and from anywhere,” he added.
Efrat previously told the Jerusalem Post New York Conference that new technologies would allow banks to provide more personalized services and improve the customer experience.
The multilingual rollout followed a strong showing for Leumi in the Bank of Israel’s 2025 banking service survey. Leumi received the highest mobile-app satisfaction rating among Israel’s five largest banks, according to the survey.