Ali Ansari (banker)

Ali Ansari
Born1962 (age 63–64)
Iran
OccupationsBusinessman and banker
Known forFounding Ayandeh Bank

Ali Ansari (Persian: علی انصاری; born in 1962) is an Iranian businessman and banker, known for his role in establishing and leading Bank Ayandeh and for his involvement in the development of Iran Mall, a large commercial complex in Tehran.[1][2]

Career

Bank Ayandeh

Ansari was a principal shareholder of Bank Ayandeh, a private Iranian bank formed in 2013 through the merger of Tat Bank with other financial institutions.[1] Under his management, the bank attracted deposits by offering relatively high interest rates. By 2025, the bank accumulated heavy losses and high levels of bad loans.[3][2][4][5]

The former governor of Iran's central bank Mohammad-Reza Farzin said that the bank has $5.1 billion in accumulated losses, $2.9 billion in overdrafts, and a negative 600 percent capital adequacy ratio.[3]

In October 2025, the Central Bank of Iran revoked Bank Ayandeh's operating licence and dissolved the bank due to accumulated losses and regulatory concerns. Its assets and deposits were absorbed into the state-owned Bank Melli, with assurances that depositors' accounts would be maintained.[3]

Iran mall

Ansari was involved in the development of Iran Mall, one of the largest shopping and entertainment complexes in Tehran. Projects financed by Bank Ayandeh included substantial lending to entities linked with Ansari and the Iran Mall development. By the time of the bank's dissolution, a significant share of its loans was classified as bad loans.[3]

Sanctions

On October 30, 2025, the UK government announced sanctions against Ansari for his alleged role in financially enabling the work of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), along with allegations of corruption.[6][7][8][9][10]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Motamedi, Maziar. "Corruption, mismanagement in spotlight as Iran dissolves major private bank". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2026-01-26.
  2. ^ a b Sinaiee, Maryam (2025-10-30). "Ayandeh Bank collapse lays bare Iran's economic rot". www.iranintl.com. Retrieved 2026-01-26.
  3. ^ a b c d "Iran takes over failing bank as sector struggles with economic headwinds". www.iranintl.com. 2025-10-23. Retrieved 2026-01-26.
  4. ^ "The Bank Collapse Behind Iran's Protests - The Journal. - WSJ Podcasts". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 2026-01-26.
  5. ^ "Ayandeh Bank: How One Family Built a Bank to Feed Its Own Empire". Zamaneh Media. 2025-11-06. Retrieved 2026-01-26.
  6. ^ "UK announces sanctions against individual who funds the work of the IRGC". GOV.UK. Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  7. ^ "Ali Aliakbar Ansari". OpenSanctions.org. 1968-12-26. Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  8. ^ "Sanctioned Iranian banker built €400mn European property empire - FT". www.iranintl.com. 2026-01-26. Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  9. ^ "London's role in Iran's financial networks — and why it matters now | Transparency International UK". www.transparency.org.uk. Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  10. ^ "FCDO - UK Sanctions List Search - GOV.UK". search-uk-sanctions-list.service.gov.uk. Retrieved 2026-03-12.
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