News & Announcements

Kuwait: NBK brings the SWIFT gpi service to Kuwait

National Bank of Kuwait announces that it has successfully completed its SWIFT Global Payments Innovation (gpi) testing and is ready to launch the service. As a pioneer bank in Kuwait and the region, NBK joins the global gpi community consisting of more than 150 banks. NBK achieved this milestone after passing the rigorous testing phase.

SWIFT-gpi is the new payments standard for cross-border payments, that joins together all payment intermediaries via a cloud-hosted interface that makes it now possible to fully track and prove the time it takes for a payment sent from end client A to end client B through the gpi-active financial institutions involved in a payment chain.

Mohammed Al Khorafi, General Manager- Operations Group at NBK said: “This is another area of advancement of NBK in technology innovations and an assertion of our strategy to remain consistent with the most advanced international standards as the leading Bank in Kuwait.

He added It improves efficiency, it’s a step forward to better services for clients and better communication and reconciliation. NBK continues to enhance the excellence of the banking sector in Kuwait.”

Mr. Onur Ozan, SWIFT Head of Middle East, Turkey and North Africa, said: “We are delighted that NBK has completed the SWIFT gpi testing phase and is now ready to go live on the service. With SWIFT gpi, NBK will offer its customers more certainty, transparency and traceability in their cross-border payments. We look forward to seeing more Middle Eastern banks go live on SWIFT gpi in the months to come and encourage all banks in the region to adopt this new standard for cross-border payments.

This new messaging technology available to the SWIFT GPI community and member banks only, has led to a digital transformation of cross border payments and ultimately focuses on significantly improving customer service and satisfaction.  By connecting every intermediary in the payment chain, SWIFT- gpi grants each party visibility of a payment status, unaltered remittance information and transaction costs and also delivers greater traceability and transparency allowing banks to instantly check the status of payments.

NBK clients will benefit from same day transfer and use of funds, as well as reduced timelines and transparency on fees along with enhanced security. As a next phase of this initiative, NBK is working to extend this facility to its esteemed clients for self-service tracking of payments; this is good news especially for corporate clients as it reduces the time and costs spent on investigations, allowing them to speed up supply chain and reduce risk, track important payments and easily reconcile payments and invoices.

NBK constantly endeavors to adopt the latest innovations in technology to better service its clients worldwide. Launching SWIFT- gpi raises the standards of international payments, reduces operational burden and creates efficiency in treasury and reconciliation of payments.

It also increases security in cross border payments as it identifies the various steps that the payment is going through and ensures that transaction details are not altered.

The future direction of SWIFT- gpi to introduce capability to stop and recall payments immediately, reduces cases of errors and fraud, and will add more comfort to NBK’s clients and affirm the commitment of NBK to Kuwait’s Banking sector as the leading bank in Kuwait.

NBK continues to collectively enjoy the highest credit ratings from the three international rating agencies; Moody’s, Fitch Ratings and Standard and Poor’s. The Bank’s ratings are supported by its high capitalization, prudent lending policies, and its disciplined approach to risk management, in addition to its highly recognized and very stable management team. NBK also maintains its position among the 50 safest banks in the world for the twelfth consecutive year.

NBK Group has the widest banking presence in 4 continents worldwide. NBK’s international presence spans many of the world’s leading financial centers including London, Paris, Geneva, New York and Singapore, as well as China (Shanghai). Meanwhile, regional coverage extends to Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain, Lebanon, Egypt, Jordan, Iraq, and Turkey.

Kuwait: NBK Posts Strong Net Profits of KD 575.6 Million in FY2025

National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) has announced its financial results for the financial year ended 31 December 2025.The Bank reported a net profit of KD 575.6 million (USD 1.9 billion), compared to KD 600.1 million (USD 2.0 billion) for the financial year 2024. Earnings per share (EPS) stood at 64  fils for 2025, compared to 66  fils for 2024.

Profit before tax increased by 5.4% on a year-on-year basis, reaching KD 734.6  million (USD 2.4 billion) at the end of 2025, compared to KD 696.8 million (USD 2.3 billion) in 2024.

Total assets as of December 2025 grew by 13.1% year-on-year, reaching KD 45.6 billion (USD 149.4 billion), while customer deposits grew by 14.0%, totaling KD 26.1 billion (USD 85.3 billion) by the end of 2025. 

Meanwhile, Group loans and advances reached KD26.8  billion (USD 87.8 billion) by December 2025, reflecting a growth of 13.1% year-on-year. In the meantime, shareholders' equity also saw an increase, standing at KD 4.3  billion (USD 14.0 billion), up by 9.2% year-on-year.

In terms of distributions, the Board of Directors has proposed a cash dividend of 35 fils per share for the financial year 2025, equivalent to 53% of net profits. In addition, the Board has recommended the distribution of bonus shares at a ratio of 5%. These proposed distributions are subject to the approval of the Annual General Assembly (AGM).

A Prudent Approach

Commenting on the Bank's annual financial results, Mr. Hamad Al-Bahar, NBK Group Chairman, affirmed that, despite the challenges posed by the global economic environment in 2025, including the repercussions of geopolitical tensions, tariff pressures, and the accommodative trajectory of interest rates, the Bank succeeded in further consolidating its position as a leading financial institution. This performance was underpinned by a prudent operating approach and a flexible strategy anchored in diversification and financial discipline.

Al-Bahar noted that the Bank’s financial results for the year ended 31 December 2025 reflect NBK’s ability to adapt and navigate a wide range of economic conditions, supported by a diversified business model, a strong capital base, high-quality assets, comfortable liquidity position, and a robust governance and risk management framework.

He added that the Bank continues to successfully execute its strategy of balancing the delivery of superior returns to shareholders with meeting the evolving needs of its customers. He further emphasized that sustainability has become a central pillar of NBK’s long-term growth agenda. The Bank recorded a significant year-on-year increase of approximately 23% in the value of its sustainable assets, reaching USD 6.10 billion by the end of 2025. This represents 61% of its strategic 2030 target of USD 10 billion. Al-Bahar added that 2025 marked a year of significant achievements that further reinforced NBK’s position as the largest contributor to corporate social responsibility initiatives in Kuwait. Among the most notable milestones were the inauguration of the Shuwaikh Beach Development and Beautification Project, funded by the Bank at a cost of KWD 3 million, as well as the laying of the foundation stone for the expansion of the NBK Children’s Hospital for Hematology, Oncology, and Stem Cell Transplant. The expansion includes the construction of a new building at an estimated cost of nearly KWD 19 million.

Solid Operating Performance

Meanwhile, Mr. Isam J. Al-Sager, NBK Group Vice Chairman and CEO, said: “The Group’s 2025 results reflect the solid operating performance delivered across its various business segments, led by its core banking activities, despite the volatile global operating environment and its spillover effects on regional and local markets. During the year, the Group recorded a year-on-year growth of 3.6% in net operating income, reaching KWD 1.3 billion (USD  4.2 billion).”

He noted that the Group’s profit before tax recorded a year-on-year increase of 5.4% in 2025, while net profits were impacted by the application of the domestic top-up minimum tax on multinational entities operating in Kuwait. He emphasized that this impact on profit growth is transitional in nature, reflecting the base-year effect of 2025 as the first year of the tax’s implementation.

Al-Sager emphasized that NBK Group’s diversified business mix, carefully calibrated strategic investments, and disciplined risk management have mitigated the impact of adverse global economic conditions. He added that NBK continues to invest in technology and innovation as fundamental pillars of inclusive and sustainable growth, while also expanding its customer base and capitalizing on opportunities across promising markets and key sectors.

He further noted that, throughout 2025, the Bank continued to roll out innovative banking services and products specifically designed to meet the evolving needs of its customers. In addition, the Group’s Consumer and Digital Banking arm launched its new five-year strategy through 2030, marking a strategic shift from mere digitization of services to a fully customer-centric, underpinned by data collection and advanced analytics. This transformation further reinforces NBK’s leadership position locally and regionally, offering an exceptional banking experience. 

Furthermore, Al-Sager pointed to the key contribution of both NBK Group’s corporate banking and international operations, as well as Boubyan Bank— the Group’s Islamic banking arm— in strengthening the Group’s profits. He further highlighted that NBK Wealth has continued to consolidate its position as the largest wealth management entity in Kuwait and among the largest in the region, by offering an integrated suite of private banking, investment management, and advisory services through a globally connected network of operations.

On major financing transactions, Al-Sager stated: “During 2025, NBK led a KWD 1.5 billion syndicated term facility with Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC). This transaction represents the largest financing of its kind denominated in Kuwaiti Dinars. The Bank served as the mandated lead arranger and bookrunner for the facility, as well as the agent for the conventional tranche.  NBK’s share amounted to KD 495 million of the total financing, making it the largest contributor among all participating conventional and Islamic banks, accounting for approximately 60% of the KD 825 million conventional tranche.”

Al-Sager noted that this transaction reinforces NBK’s position as the largest financier of Kuwait’s oil sector and the primary banking partner for energy companies in supporting their expansion and growth plans.

He further noted that Kuwait Clearing Company’s selection of NBK as the country’s main settlement bank represents a testament to the Bank’s substantial investments in digital infrastructure and its high level of operational readiness. This milestone further strengthens NBK’s role in advancing the development of Kuwait’s capital market infrastructure.

On the sustainability front, Al-Sager affirmed that NBK continues to deepen its leading role in shaping a more sustainable future through its green financing initiatives and the development of products and solutions that reflect global best practices in sustainable finance. In this context, he pointed to the Bank’s signing in 2025 of Kuwait’s first-ever green loan agreement. He also highlighted NBK’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its environmental, social, and governance (ESG) framework through measurable initiatives that support emissions reduction and the achievement of carbon neutrality by 2060.

The Operating Environment 

Al-Sager expressed his optimism regarding an improvement in the domestic operating environment in 2026, supported by a number of key factors. 

He explained that the Financing and Liquidity Law enacted in 2025 has established an advanced framework for long-term sovereign debt issuances, thereby enhancing banking system liquidity through high-quality sovereign assets and supporting the financing of large-scale projects. He added that the Real Estate Financing Law—once approved—would enable banks to provide long-term financing for the residential sector, helping address the housing challenge  and stimulating activity across construction and real estate–related sectors.

Moreover, Al-Sager noted that the value of government-awarded projects in 2025 exceeded KWD 4 billion, surpassing 2024 levels by well over 60%. Meanwhile, bank credit recorded solid performance, with credit to residents growing by approximately 7.63% year-on-year as of the end of December 2025, the fastest pace since 2023.

He indicated that project awards are expected to gain further momentum in 2026, supported by the broad pipeline of initiatives under the government’s capital projects program across multiple sectors, alongside a gradual pace of interest rate cuts. This combination bodes well for the outlook and is set to create a favorable environment for credit growth for both corporates and individuals during the year.

He emphasized, however, that while the domestic outlook remains positive, it is accompanied by certain regional and global challenges, including persistent geopolitical tensions, tariffs, and their associated negative economic repercussions.

Prestigious Awards

During 2025, NBK further consolidated its leadership position by receiving a series of prestigious awards from leading global institutions and publications.

Among these accolades, MEED named NBK Best Retail Bank and Best SME Bank in Kuwait, in addition to awarding the Bank several regional honors across the Middle East and North Africa, including Best Loan Offering, Best Contactless Payment Experience, and Best Payment Solutions for SMEs. NBK’s digital subsidiary, Weyay Bank, was also recognized with the Most Innovative Product Award for its children’s card, “Jeel.”

NBK also received three prestigious awards from Global Finance, including Best Digital Payment Solutions and Best Online Product Offerings in Kuwait, while Weyay Bank was named Best Digital Bank in Kuwait. Furthermore, the Bank won four awards from Euromoney, including Kuwait’s Best Bank for ESG, Kuwait’s Best Bank for Large Corporates, Kuwait’s Best Bank for Diversity and Inclusion, as well as Kuwait’s Best Digital Bank for Weyay Bank.

Key financial indicators for the financial year ended December 31, 2025 

• Net operating income stood at KD 1.3 billion (USD 4.2 billion), up 3.6% year-on-year

• Total assets grew by 13.1% year-on-year, at KD 45.6 billion (USD 149.4 billion)

• Total loans and advances increased by 13.1% year-on-year to KD 26.8 billion (USD 87.8 billion)

• Customer deposits grew by 14.0% year-on-year to KD 26.1 billion (USD 85.3 billion)

• Total shareholders’ equity amounted to KD4.3  billion (USD 14.0 billion), registering an annual growth of 9.2%.

• Strong asset quality metrics, with NPL/gross loans ratio at 1.36% and an NPL coverage ratio of 240%

• Robust Capital Adequacy Ratio of 17.0%, comfortably exceeding regulatory requirements.   

Kuwait: NBK Wins the Gold Medal in Corporate Social Responsibility from Brandon Hall Group Excellence Awards

In a new achievement that confirms its leadership in social responsibility and commitment to sustainability, National Bank of Kuwait won the Gold Medal in the Corporate Social Responsibility category of the Brandon Hall Group Excellence Awards.

This international recognition comes in appreciation of NBK’s exceptional efforts during 2025 that strengthened its position as the largest contributor to the field of social responsibility in Kuwait’s private sector and proved its success in realizing its vision of becoming an active partner in national development through global initiatives that leave positive impact and serve upcoming generations and society.

Brandon Hall Group based its selection of winners in the Corporate Social Responsibility category on an evaluation of entries by a panel of experts and executive analysts within the group, in addition to several strict measures that assess the quality and effectiveness of programs and initiatives, such as design quality, innovation, clarity of objectives, the effectiveness of the tools and processes used, and finally the measurable results that determine the tangible impact of such programs on society. 

This award comes in recognition of NBK’s exceptional efforts and achievements in several areas, most notably:

The "Bankee" financial literacy program: which focuses on instilling financial awareness through applied learning, achieving a clear improvement in financial behavior among young people from an early age.

Employee health and well-being: NBK promotes a culture of physical and mental care within the work environment, through visits to the in-house clinic, visiting doctors, mental health sessions and workshops.

Community initiatives: NBK’s launch of several community initiatives contributed to obtaining this remarkable global recognition.

Among the most prominent of these initiatives is NBK’s annual NBK Run, which always achieves unparalleled success. This grand sporting event supports the adoption of a healthy lifestyle and includes the category of people with disabilities, which enhances their integration with other groups within society.

Additionally, NBK continues to launch its Ramadhan “Do Good in the Holy Month” campaign, which highlights the values of solidarity and safety, including diverse programs, such as distributing Iftar meals at traffic lights in various areas of Kuwait.

Promoting environmental awareness: NBK implemented several environmental programs in collaboration with “Omniya” for plastic recycle and “LOYAC”’s environmental programs, in which young men and women participated, with the aim to integrate environmental activities with practical application, encourage volunteer work, and empower young people to be part of sustainable environmental solutions.

An Exceptional Year of Giving

2025 was another year full of achievements for NBK in the field of social responsibility, as it launched a range of initiatives and projects that covered various health, educational, environmental and sports aspects, within a comprehensive approach aimed at improving the quality of life, supporting sustainable development and youth empowerment.

Among the most prominent initiatives and projects launched and implemented by NBK in 2025:

-    The Project of Shuwaikh Beach Development and Beautification was inaugurated with funding from NBK amounting to KD 3 million, transforming the 1.7 KM-long Shuwaikh Beach waterfront into an integrated urban haven that includes modern facilities, green spaces, and areas for sports and recreation. This project stands as remarkable model of effective public and private partnerships. 

-    The foundation stone was laid for the expansion of NBK’s Children Hospital for the treatment of blood diseases, cancer and stem cell transplantation, valued approximately at KD 19 million, which is a step that reflects the bank’s commitment to providing the highest levels of specialized healthcare.

-     Contributing to the East Area Development Project by constructing a multi-story parking building and a public park valued at around KD 7 million, in support of the infrastructure and quality of life in the capital.

-    Launching innovative awareness campaigns to combat digital fraud.

-    Maintaining the strategic partnership with LOYAC by sponsoring several programs aimed at empowering national youth by helping them achieve their goals and aspirations through academic and environmental training programs that joined 290 trainees, aiming to support the youth’s ambitions to become effective and impactful leaders in the future.

-    Sponsoring the KALD Award ceremony for outstanding students, as part of its strategic partnership with the Kuwait Association for Learning Differences, with the participation of 1700 students, in addition to supporting 85 participants at Center 21 for people with special needs by organizing periodic activities and exhibitions.

-    Implementing programs aimed at developing young talents, most notably the Aspire National Summer Training Program, which is specifically designed for male and female school students aged between 14 and 18 years to provide them with a unique opportunity to gain valuable professional experience through theoretical and practical training. The program attracted 142 male and female students in four training courses at NBK headquarters during the period from June 10 to August 7, 2025.

-    Launching and sponsoring cultural and artistic initiatives in cooperation with the Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Cultural Centre, in addition to supporting sports through an ongoing partnership with the Rafa Nadal Academy, including 3 training camps and tournaments in 2025.

-    Continuing work on the Bankee program, which now covers 104 schools with a total of 13,000 female teachers and 53,000 male and female students.

-    Continued focus on the health and well-being of employees through organizing programs, doctor visits, workshops, physical and mental therapy sessions, trips, activities, competitions and recreational programs in which more than 2,000 employees participated, while the NBK clinic recorded about 4,000 visits for general medical check-ups throughout the year.

-    NBK continued to launch social solidarity and corporate social responsibility programs as part of its annual Ramadhan campaign, with the number of beneficiaries of these programs reaching approximately 6,800.

-    NBK Run, which the bank has been organizing for more than three decades, saw the participation of more than 7,000 runners in the 2025 edition, including people with disabilities, who have always been part of the culture of this race with the aim of promoting awareness of the importance of social inclusion.

Through its corporate social responsibility initiatives, NBK affirms that it is not merely a financial institution, but a true partner in building a prosperous society and a sustainable future.

With its firm belief that investing in human capital is investing in the future, NBK places youth empowerment at the heart of its priorities through training programs and educational and sporting initiatives that meet their needs and prepare them to be an effective and dynamic workforce in the future.

For more information about the 2025 Brandon Hall Group Excellence Awards winners, please visit:

Past Winners of The Excellence Awards

Kuwait: NBK Accelerates National Talent Growth in 2025

In a year marked by accelerating digital transformation and intensifying competition for specialized skills, National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) distinguished itself as a leading force in attracting, empowering, and developing national talent. Throughout 2025, the bank significantly strengthened its workforce through new hires, achieved tangible progress in its Kuwaitization rates, and expanded its investments in developing the next generation of local competencies, particularly in digital and technical fields. 

This strategic momentum reflects NBK’s deep commitment to supporting Kuwait’s national agenda, strengthening the participation of national talent in the private sector, and building a future-ready workforce capable to leading the banking sector through innovation.

An Exceptional Year in Talent Attraction

The Group Human Resources - Talent Acquisition Department delivered one of its strongest performances to date, further affirming NBK’s position as the employer of choice for ambitious national talent. During the year, the Bank participated in six major job fairs across Kuwait, enabling meaningful engagement with thousands of job seekers, showcasing its diverse career pathways, and highlighting its expanding opportunities in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and data analysis, reflecting its strong focus on innovation and digital transformation.

These events played a key role in attracting the top national competencies and talents to NBK, building a strong pipeline of qualified candidates to support its digital transformation strategy, and reinforcing its presence among graduates and young professionals seeking meaningful career opportunities within the financial sector. 

Moreover, NBK’s participation in these events generated strong interest, with the Bank receiving more than 8,000 CVs in 2025, underscoring the high level of trust and confidence the Kuwaiti community places in NBK as a leading employer and talent destination. 

A Bigger and More Diverse Workforce

From this extensive pool of applicants, NBK recruited 249 new employees during the year, marking a notable increase and reaffirming its commitment to strengthening its capabilities in line with evolving market demands.

Most notably, Kuwaiti nationals accounted for 90% of these new hires, reflecting NBK’s leadership in supporting national employment and providing sustainable career opportunities for Kuwaitis.

More specifically, the Bank’s recruitment strategy focused on attracting talent in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), with 68 new hires in these vital disciplines. These additions strengthen the Bank's capabilities in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, data science and analytics, software engineering, and digital product development. They also play a pivotal role in advancing NBK’s digital transformation journey, enabling continued innovation and the delivery of enhanced banking experiences.

Higher Kuwaitization Rates

One of NBK’s most notable achievements in 2025 was raising its Kuwaitization rate to 76.8% of its total workforce, placing it among the highest in the banking sector.

This achievement reflects the Bank's commitment to supporting Kuwait’s vision of increasing national participations in the private sector and underscores its conviction that national talent is the cornerstone of its long-term success and sustainability.

By prioritizing local recruitment, NBK contributes to strengthening Kuwait’s economic development and building a workforce that embodies the values and aspirations of the local community.

On this occasion, Gadeer Al Kooheji, VP - Head of Talent Acquisition, commented on the Bank's achievements in attracting and developing talent during 2025, stating:

“At NBK, we are deeply proud of the tangible progress we have achieved this year in attracting national talent and enhancing our Kuwaitization rates, reflecting our firm commitment to supporting Kuwait’s vision and empowering the country’s youth. We have witnessed a strong interest from outstanding candidates, and through our participation in major job fairs, we have been able to attract a select group of high-caliber talents who represent a valuable addition to the Bank”.

“The achievement of a Kuwaitization rate of 76.8%, alongside the recruitment of 249 new employees, 90% of whom are Kuwaiti nationals, underscores the success of our strategy in building a national workforce capable of shaping the future of the banking sector. Moreover, the recruitment of 68 professionals in STEM disciplines strengthens our readiness for digital transformation and reinforces our competitive edge across technical and digital domains,” Al Kooheji added:

 “We continue to invest in human capital through advanced training programs, leadership development pathways, and specialized academies, firmly believing that national talent is the cornerstone of realizing our future vision and reinforcing the Bank’s leadership position, both locally and regionally,” Al Kooheji concluded.

Developing the Next Generation of Leaders

It is worth noting that NBK’s employment strategy goes beyond recruitment to encompass sustained investment in the development of its employees through comprehensive training programs, structured leadership pathways, and specialized academies, designed to equip Kuwaiti talents with world-class skills.

The Bank’s development ecosystem includes foundational programs for new graduates, leadership tracks for high-potential employees, specialized academies in cybersecurity, data and digital transformation, as well as training initiatives delivered in collaboration with leading global institutions.

A National Workforce Spearheading the Digital Transformation Journey

As the pace of digital transformation accelerates, NBK recognizes that its long-term success is fundamentally anchored in the strength of its human capital. This is why attracting STEM talent represents a strategic priority in building an integrated ecosystem capable of driving digital innovation and strengthening cybersecurity.

By embedding these advanced disciplines across all its operations, NBK continues to consolidate its position as one of the region’s leading banks in delivering best-in-class cutting-edge financial solutions.

A Solid Foundation for the Future

NBK’s recruitment achievements in 2025 reflect more than strong numbers; they represent a long-term vision centered on national development, innovation, and sustainable growth. The Bank's success in attracting and nurturing Kuwaiti talent underscores its capacity to shape the future of the financial sector and support Kuwait’s broader economic objectives.

With the continued expansion of its national workforce, rising Kuwaitization rates, and the growth of its development programs, NBK remains firmly on its paths to building a solid foundation for the future, anchored in empowering national youth, creating meaningful career opportunities, and cultivating the next generation of banking leaders.