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Kuwait: NBK - Bahrain Reports a Net Profit of BHD 60.89 Million (KWD 49.793 Million) in 1H 2020

National Bank of Kuwait – Bahrain (“NBK – Bahrain”) reported a net profit of BHD 60.89 million (KWD  49.793 million) for 1H 2020, compared to BHD 59.95 million (KWD 48.283 million) for the same period in 2019, recording an increase of 1.6% year-on-year.

As of end of June 2020, NBK-Bahrain’s total assets grew by 4.6% y-o-y, to reach BHD 7.135 billion, compared with BHD 6.824 billion for the same period in 2019, while total shareholders’ equity recorded BHD 692.426 million. 

Commenting on the Bank’s 1H 2020 results, NBK Group CEO, Mr. Isam Al-Sager said; “NBK – Bahrain managed to post good profits for the 1st half of 2020, despite the unprecedented challenges facing the operating environment and the uncertainty following coronavirus pandemic outbreak, combined with the sharp fall collapse in oil prices, in addition to global interest rates cuts, which added more pressure on net interest margins.”

Al-Sager pointed out that NBK Group’s strategic investments over the last years in the main areas supporting growth and performance of international operations had a major impact on boosting the group's profits and minimizing risk.

This once again demonstrates the success of the diversification policy adopted by the group for a long time, especially in Bahrain, given the promising growth prospects and positive outlook of this market."

Al-Sager added that NBK-Bahrain continues to consolidate its position year after year in the Bahraini market, which is one of the key growing markets for NBK Group, especially considering that the bank’s profits are operating profits.

On his part, General Manager of NBK - Bahrain, Mr. Ali Fardan said: “The bank has achieved good results for the 1st half of the year despite the challenges facing the banking sector, thanks to the continued reliance of NBK Group’s clear strategy and sound vision on focusing on core banking activities.”

Fardan affirmed that the bank took upon itself to support its customers during these exceptional circumstances, by deferring their loan and credit card installment payments, as part of the bank’s commitment to its national duties.

Fardan stated that the bank activated business continuity plans during the crisis to ensure helping our customers make it through the prevailing difficult circumstances, and also worked closely with the Central Bank of Bahrain to support the stimulus package that aimed at mitigating the fallout of coronavirus crisis on the local economy.

Additionally, he indicated out that the bank continues to enhance its activity in the Kingdom of Bahrain to provide top-notch banking and financial services to both its individual and institutional customers.

Fardan commended the efforts of the Central Bank of Bahrain, in particular, and government authorities, in general, which supported the performance of the bank and the banking sector in Bahrain at large. He also stressed that the support provided by NBK Group to the bank in Bahrain, through its wide regional and international branch network, has clearly contributed to promote the bank's activities in the Bahraini market, capitalizing on its high credit ratings, extensive relationship network, and leading reputation as the best bank in the Middle East and one of the Safest Banks all over the world.
 

Kuwait: NBK - Bahrain Reports a Net Profit of BHD 60.24 Million (KWD 48.18 Million) in 1H 2021

National Bank of Kuwait – Bahrain (“NBK – Bahrain”) reported a net profit of BHD 60.24 million (KWD 48.18 million) for 1H 2021, compared to BHD 60.89 million (KWD 49-79 million) for the same period in 2020.

As of end of June 2021, NBK-Bahrain’s total assets stabilized at BHD 7.13 billion, whereas total shareholders’ equity rose by 32% to BHD 910.55 million, and customers’ deposits recorded BHD 1.83 billion for the same period.

Commenting on the Bank’s 1H 2020 results, NBK Group CEO, Mr. Isam Al-Sager said; “NBK – Bahrain managed to post good profits for the 1st half of 2021, despite the continuing uncertainty witnessed since the beginning of the year, following the emergence of the coronavirus variants, as well as the challenges and disruptions facing the operating environment due to the pandemic.”

“Year after year, NBK-Bahrain continues to strengthen its position in the Bahraini market, which is one of the key growth markets for NBK Group, considering its promising growth potentials and positive prospects,” he added.

Al-Sager noted: “NBK Group has a unique edge represented in the broad geographical footprint and the ability to conduct business in both conventional banking and Islamic banking. This diversification gives a significant degree of resilience to the Group’s earnings and provides it with a strong competitive advantage.”

Al-Sager mentioned that the Group’s strategic investments over the recent past years in the key growth driving areas, along with the performance of international operations was instrumental in supporting the Group’s profitability and mitigating risk.

On his part, General Manager of NBK - Bahrain, Mr. Ali Fardan said: “NBK – Bahrain’s results for the 1st half of 2021, despite the challenges facing the banking sector, is a proof of our resilient and well-diversified business model and our ability to quickly adapt to the challenges brought about by the pandemic.”

Al-Fardan pointed out that during the first six months of the year, the operating environment in Bahrain showed further signs of recovery thanks to the relentless efforts of vaccine rollout campaigns, which would boost confidence in the business environment and give more momentum to the performance of economic activity.

Fardan affirmed that the bank will continue to support its customers to weather the headwinds of the pandemic, as part of its commitment to its national duties.

We are making steady steps to strengthen our position in Bahrain by offering high-quality banking and financial services to our retail and corporate customers, and leveraging on our huge growth potentials in the Bahraini market, he added.

Fardan commended the efforts of the Central Bank of Bahrain, in particular, and government authorities, in general, which supported the performance of the bank and the banking sector in Bahrain at large. He also stressed that the support provided by NBK Group to the bank in Bahrain, through its widespread regional and international branch network, has clearly contributed to promote the bank's activities in the Bahraini market, capitalizing on its high credit ratings, extensive relationship network, and leading reputation as the best bank in the Middle East and one of the Safest Banks all over the world.

NBK is the largest financial institution in Kuwait with effective market dominance in the commercial banking market and has been consistently awarded the highest credit rating of all banks in the region from Moody's, Standard & Poor's, and Fitch Ratings. NBK also stands out in terms of its local and international network, which includes branches, subsidiaries and representative offices in China, Geneva, London, Paris, New York, and Singapore alongside its regional presence in Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Turkey, and the UAE.