About

The National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) established a branch in London in 1983 as part of its initial strategy to capture investment and trade flows with Kuwait and to service Kuwaiti customers and to provide a convenient and secure location for their deposits, in Europe or for longer-term investment security. In 1992 the branch structure was replaced by a wholly owned subsidiary, National Bank of Kuwait International (NBKI), with a branch in Portman Square. In 1996 NBKI Paris became a branch of NBKI, in a move aimed at consolidating and strengthening the bank’s European operations.

Today, NBKI offers a wide range of services to customers including counter services and private banking, in addition to a comprehensive range of corporate banking and treasury activities for the bank’s traditional customer base of exporters and contracting companies involved in the public and private business sectors in Kuwait and the Middle East.

NBKI Private Banking offers traditional financial products and assistance as well as real estate services to assist investors in the acquisition and financing of commercial and residential real estate properties. In addition, through its Trust and Estates team, NBKI offers advice to families on wealth planning for their international assets.

"NATIONAL BANK OF KUWAIT (INTERNATIONAL) PLC IS AUTHORISED BY THE PRUDENTIAL REGULATION AUTHORITY AND REGULATED BY THE FINANCIAL CONDUCT AUTHORITY AND THE PRUDENTIAL REGULATION AUTHORITY".

The National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) was established in 1952 when a prominent Kuwaiti merchant went to the British Bank of the Middle East to open a letter of guarantee for the amount of 10,000 Indian rupees, (which is equivalent today to 750 Kuwaiti dinars). Much to his surprise, his request was rejected, on the condition that he provide a guarantor. This well-known merchant was shocked and appalled by the treatment that he had received, and news of this was all over town. 

This incident gave rise to the question and the idea of having a Kuwaiti bank with a mission to serve citizens’ needs as its priority, stimulate the economic growth of the country, and look after the savings of its clients. In fact, a meeting was held with the late Amir of Kuwait, H.H. Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah, who congratulated them on the idea and promised them his complete support. An Amiri decree was issued on May 19, 1952 to open the National Bank of Kuwait, and NBK started operations on November 15, 1952.

The founders of NBK are:

•    Khalid Zaid Al-Khalid
•    Ahmed Saud Al-Khaled
•    Khalifa Khalid Al-Ghunaim
•    Khaled Abdullatif Al-Hamad
•    Sayed Ali Sayed Sulieman Al-Rifai
•    Yousef Abdulziz Al-Fulaij
•    Yousef Ahmed Al-Ghanim
•    Mohamed Abdulmohsen Al-Khorafi
•    Abdulaziz Hamad Al-Sager

NBK was the first national bank in Kuwait and the entire Arabian Gulf region. All the board members and the founders of NBK were renowned merchants of Kuwaiti origin. NBK was established with a capital of 13,100 shares, each valued 1,000 Indian rupees – equivalent to 75 Kuwaiti dinars today. Over the years NBK has proved itself to be a financial leader in the Arab world.

Our Vision

The NBK vision is to be the trusted bank of choice, building on our core values, people and expertise.

Our Mission

To deliver world-class products and the highest quality service to our customers.

To attract, develop and retain the best banking talent in the region.

To support the communities in which we operate.

To adhere to our core values of passion, integrity, conservatism and knowledge.

In following our mission, we believe that we will be able to achieve consistently superior returns to our shareholders.