Profile
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), 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 Trusts and Estates team, NBKI offers assistance 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".
History
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.
Vision & Mission
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.
Board Of Directors
Mr. Isam Jassim Al Sager
Chairman, Non-Executive DirectorMrs. Lesley Jane Titcomb
Vice Chairman, Independent Non-Executive DirectorMs. Shaikha Al Bahar
Non-Executive DirectorMr. Omar Bouhadiba
Non-Executive DirectorMr. Matthew Timms
Independent Non-Executive DirectorMr. Paul Horner
Independent Non-Executive DirectorMr. Fawzi Dajani
Non-Executive DirectorMr. Bassem Boustany
Executive DirectorExecutive Management
Mr. Bassem Boustany
Managing DirectorMr. Adnan Rahman
Deputy Managing Director & Chief Financial OfficerMr. Sami El Labban
Head of Private BankingMr. Khaled Al Omar
Head of Retail BankingMr. Nicholas Simmonds
Head of Corporate BankingMr. Nicholas Haber
Head of Commercial Real EstateMr. David Schultze
Chief Operating OfficerMr. Gavin Allard
Head of ComplianceMr. Andrew Jackson
Money Laundering Reporting OfficerMrs. Emma Booth
Chief of Staff & General Counsel (DPO)Auditors
Deloitte LLP
Hill House
1 Little New Street
London EC4A 3TR
REGISTERED OFFICE
NBK House
13 George Street
London W1U 3QJ
Registered No.02773743
Firm's reference number 171532
NBK Group Awards & Recognition
BANK LEVEL
Global Finance
2024
Best Bank for ESG-Related Loans in the Middle East
2022 - 2024
Best SME Bank Kuwait
2019, 2023, 2024
Best Bank for Cash Management in Kuwait
2014 - 2024
Best Bank in Kuwait
2014 - 2024
Best Foreign Exchange Provider in Kuwait
2014 - 2018, 2020 - 2024
Best Trade Finance Bank in Kuwait
2023
Best User Experience (UX) Design - Kuwait
2023
Best Innovation and Transformation - Global
2023
Best Innovation and Transformation - Middle East
2023
Best Innovation and Transformation - Kuwait
2023
Top Innovations in Finance
2023
Best Private Bank Sustainable Investing in the Middle East
2022, 2023
Best Mobile Banking App - ME
2021, 2023
Best in Social Media Marketing and Services - Kuwait
2021 - 2023
Best Bill Payment & Presentment - Kuwait
2021 - 2023
Best Online Product Offerings - Kuwait
2021 - 2023
Best Online Product Offerings - Middle East
2021, 2023
Best Financial Innovation Labs in Kuwait
2020 - 2023
Best Consumer Digital Bank in Middle East
2018 - 2023
Best Consumer Digital Bank in Kuwait
2018, 2021 - 2023
Best Mobile Banking App - Kuwait
2017, 2019 - 2021, 2023
Best Foreign Exchange Provider in the Middle East
2022
Best in Lending - ME
2022
Best Bank for Sustainable Finance in Kuwait
2022
Most Innovative Private Bank Middle East
2021, 2022
Most Innovative Digital Bank - Kuwait
2021, 2022
Most Innovative Digital Bank - Middle East
2021, 2022
Best in Lending - Kuwait
2015 - 2022
Best Private Banking in Kuwait
2020 - 2021
World's Top 50 Safest Commercial Banks
2019
Best Bank for Liquidity Management in the Middle East
2019
Best Emerging Markets Bank Worldwide
2019
The Innovators - Real Time End-To-End Payment Tracking on Customer Payment
2018 - 2019
Best in Mobile Banking - Consumer in Kuwait
2016
Best Bank for Financial Risk Management Middle East
2016
Best Bank for Financial Risk Management Kuwait
2016
Best Innovator in Trade Finance
2014 - 2016
Best Emerging Market Bank in Kuwait
2015
Best Bank in the Middle East
2015
Best Emerging Market Bank in the Middle East
Euro Money
2024
Best Bank for SMEs in Kuwait
2022, 2024
Best Bank for Diversity & Inclusion in Kuwait
2023
Best Bank for Corporate Responsibility in the Middle East
2018, 2023
Best Cash Management for Non-Financial Institutions in Kuwait
2022
Best Bank for Digital Solutions in Kuwait
2022
Best Bank for ESG in Kuwait
2022
Best Private Bank/Technology: Innovative or Emerging Technology Adoption in Kuwait
2022
Best Private Bank/Wealth Manager for Mass/Super Affluent Clients in Kuwait
2022
Best Private Bank/Wealth Manager for Ultra High Net worth Clients in Kuwait
2014 - 2018, 2021
Best Bank in Kuwait
2015 - 2018
Best Private Banking in Kuwait
The Banker
2014 - 2019, 2021, 2022
Bank of The Year - Kuwait
2010 - 2011, 2022
Bank of The Year - Middle East
2021
Innovation in Digital Banking Award - Middle East
Brand Finance
2015 - 2024
Number 1 Banking Brand in Kuwait
Meed
2024
Best Innovation Programme
2024
Excellence in Sustainable Investment
2021-2024
Best Retail Bank Kuwait
2023
Best Initiative for Women in Business
2023
Best Implementation of Diversity & Inclusion Initiatives
2023
Excellence in Service - Priority Banking
2022, 2023
Best Youth Program Initiative
2022
Best Credit Card Initiative in MENA
2021
Best Loyalty/Rewards Programme Middle East