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Kuwait: NBK’s AGM Approved Distribution of 20% Cash Dividends and 5% Bonus Shares
07.03.2021National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) held today (Saturday, 6 March 2021), its 2020 Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM), at which there was a quorum of 78.4%. The AGM and EGM approved the Board of Directors’ recommendation to distribute 20% cash dividends to shareholders (equivalent to 20 fils per share) and the distribution of 5% bonus shares (5 shares for every 100 shares owned).
Maintaining Course
Mr. Nasser Al-Sayer, NBK Group Chairman delivered his speech at the 2020 AGM and EGM affirming that the Covid-19 pandemic’s fallout affected all global economies and companies, and Kuwait and the Middle East were no exceptions. For the GCC, the impact was especially severe in light of a record-low oil price environment, at the beginning of the crisis, followed by fluctuations, at the same time they are fighting to contain the spread of the pandemic.
Al-Sayer said: “Despite the challenging operational environment that we faced during the past year, we managed to achieve decent profits amounting KD 246.3 million, whereas operating profits stood at KD 530.9 million. These financial results for 2020 reaffirmed our resilient business model and a strong financial position, and showed continued payback of our diversification and digital transformation strategies.”
Al-Sayer pointed out that NBK’s tremendous and well-thought-out investments in developing employees and digital infrastructure over the past years have proven to be prudent. Additionally, Boubyan Bank, the Islamic arm of the Group, along with the bank’s international operations, continued to play an instrumental role in mitigating risks and diversifying sources of income.
Al-Sayer noted that NBK faced the crisis in a solid position, as the size and liquidity of the group’s balance sheet, along with healthy profitability, enabled it to continue to support customers and society. Moreover, during the year, all necessary measures were taken to enhance the strength of the bank’s financial position amidst the unstable economic conditions caused by the pandemic.
"Our ability to sustain dividend policy while maintaining our solid capital base during this uniquely challenging year is a testament to the solidity of our strategic foundations, and a reflection of the trust placed in us by our customers and shareholders," he added.
Al-Sayer explained that the Board of Directors has performed its duties in the best way, providing guidance and advice to the Executive Management to move the Group's operations forward.
Al-Sayer praised the bank’s executive management and leadership team, and all employees who made tireless efforts during working remotely to help customers weather the challenges imposed by the pandemic. He also extended his thanks to the Central Bank of Kuwait for its efforts aimed to enhance the operational environment.
On NBK’s performance of its social responsibility, Al-Sayer said: “We are proud to continue our unshakable approach laid down by the founders for nearly seven decades with regard to our social responsibilities. In this context, we made a contribution to the fund set up to support government efforts in facing coronavirus outbreak, in addition to supporting the efforts of the Kuwaiti Red Crescent by providing ventilators and mobile clinics to help their efforts to contain the pandemic."
Concluding his speech, Al-Sayer said: “Despite the difficulty of forecasting how the year 2021 will unfold, I am sure that the NBK has the strength, stability and operational resilience enabling it to face all possible scenarios and be up to the expectations of its shareholders and customers, as well as to carry on its historical role in supporting the Kuwaiti economy to recover from the impacts of this pandemic."
Proactive Strategy
On his part, Mr. Isam J. Al-Sager, NBK Group CEO, said in his speech: “The year 2020 was exceptional, due to the challenging operating environment resulting from the pandemic, which demonstrated the bank's resilient business model, solid financial position, and the prudence of NBK's proactive strategy for diversification of income sources and digital transformation.
Al-Sager stated: “This year was exceptionally challenging, not only due to the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic, but also the concurrent sharp decline in oil prices and historically low interest rates. These factors combined led to a decline in the volume of banking transactions across many sectors in all the markets in which we operate. The pace of project awarding and implementation in Kuwait also saw a significant slowdown due to the challenges imposed by the pandemic, in addition to the government's cutting of investment spending due to the decline in its revenues.”
Al-Sager indicated that these circumstances impacted the bank’s operating results, as interest income was affected after re-pricing loans according to the new interest rates after the Central Bank of Kuwait cut the discount rate twice in last March to reach its lowest historical level. Additionally, fees and commission income was also affected by shutdown of economic activities as part of the precautionary measures to combat the spread of the pandemic, especially in the second and third quarters of the year.
These circumstances, Al-Sager noted, made it necessary for NBK to maintain a conservative risk management approach, by providing for prevailing uncertainty, especially that the crisis is still unfolding.
Exceptional policies
Al-Sager indicated that it was normal that the financial results were affected by these repercussions. However, he emphasized that the exceptional policies adopted by the executive management minimized this impact and resulted in posting financial results allowing the Board of Directors to recommend distribution of dividends to shareholders. Total assets also grew by 1.5% to reach KD 29.7 billion, whereas loan portfolio grew by 5.7% to reach KD 17.5 billion, and customer deposits increased by 7.4%, to reach KD 17.1 billion.
Al-Sager continued: “Our profitability, solid financial position and sustained growth of our balance sheets, despite the unprecedented challenges, demonstrate the success of the initiatives and policies we were quick to adopt in order to minimize the impact of the crisis, which focused on enabling our customers to make all their banking transactions without being affected by the lockdown measures, depending on our various digital channels and advanced payment solutions."
Al-Sager said, "We followed a cost control strategy aimed to strike a balance between implementing stringent cost-cutting measures and continuing to inject the necessary investments to achieve our strategic goals."
“We were keen on completing our investments and implementing the digital transformation roadmap, and all our digital initiatives that proved to be very successful in light of our customers’ reliance on our digital channels for 85% of their transactions during the year. Our tremendous digital capabilities were instrumental to ensure smooth flow of our operations, which enabled us to continue making progress in most of our strategic goals," he added.
Well-positioned for recovery
Al-Sager mentioned that, in line with its policy aimed at diversifying the financing base, enhancing capital adequacy ratios, and benefiting from low interest rates, NBK issued subordinated Tier 2 bonds; one KD-denominated worth KD150 million, and another USD-denominated worth USD 300 million, and succeeded in obtaining one of the lowest pricing compared to peer GCC issuances. These issuances saw a remarkable demand from fixed-income investors, reflecting the bank’s creditworthiness and internationally leading position.
Al-Sager noted that throughout the year, the executive management placed the safety of customers and employees at the top of its priorities. To this end, it strived to enable customers to make all their transactions remotely, and to apply all precautionary measures at the branches, as well as maintaining a safe working environment to protect employees’ health and safety.
Regarding the outlook for 2021, Al-Sager said: “We believe that our diversification and digital transformation strategies, along with our solid financial position and leading franchise, and the policies and initiatives accomplished over the past year, make us better positioned for a gradual recovery in light of the accelerated vaccination drive and improving oil prices, and that we will be the biggest beneficiaries from the emerging opportunities as we proceed towards recovery in all the markets in which we operate. "
Al-Sager concluded his speech by thanking the members of the Board of Directors for their prudent advice and guidance. He also thanked the Group’s employees for their dedication in performing their job duties during these exceptional circumstances, regardless of their positions, as well as the bank’s customers inside and outside Kuwait, stressing that the bank always aspires to provide top-notch banking products and services in a way that meets all their expectations.
Solid foundations
On the sidelines of the AGM, Ms. Shaikha Al Bahar, NBK Group Deputy GCEO, said: “The year 2020 was one of the most challenging years for global economies since long generations, as the rapid spread of the pandemic forced countries to shutdown major parts of their economies to protect their citizens, which led to the worst economic downturn in decades.
Al-Bahar added: “While we could not predict the nature or extent of this crisis, we were fully prepared and well-positioned to provide the support needed by our customers and employees, thanks to our solid foundations in the operational and financial sides, and our continuous efforts over the years to build a solid capital base and focusing on our asset quality, minimizing risks, and enhancing the operational resilience needed to withstand potential economic shocks.”.
Al-Bahar indicated that the record low interest rate environment had an impact on net interest income. However, this was offset by the decent growth in the loan portfolio and prudent cost control, and despite the increased provisioning and the pressure on the bank’s revenues from some sectors, NBK outperformed other regionals banks in terms of key financial indicators, and at the same time, maintained strong capitalization levels, with a capital adequacy ratio of 18.4%, and healthy asset quality levels, as non-performing loans ratio stabilized at 1.72% and loan loss coverage ratio stood at 220%.
Digital investments
Al-Bahar continued: “Our geographical footprint and access to markets with great growth potentials are unique factors that give us an edge over our competitors, as our international operations continue to play a vital role in mitigating risks and increasing the diversification of income sources, whereas the growth in Islamic banking through Boubyan Bank, the group’s Islamic arm, remains a key element of our diversification strategy, as the operating income from NBK’s international operations reached KD 206.1 million, which is robust in view of the prevailing circumstances, contributing to 24% of the group’s total operating income.
On the digital transformation front, Al Bahar said: “Despite the impacts of the pandemic, it offered us opportunities to accelerate the implementation of our digital transformation roadmap, which will help us take decisive steps to move forward with our comprehensive and sustainable digital transformation agenda. Throughout its long history, NBK does not hesitate to seize opportunities to consolidate its leading position and meet its aspirations that transcend geographical barriers.”
Al-Bahar emphasized that NBK's digital investments paid off during the crisis, as the bank's digital channels played a key role in customer service, since digital transactions increased to record levels, a trend that continues even after returning to normal levels of economic activities, especially as we continue to introduce continuous enhancements to NBK Mobile Banking App and develop branches to integrate with digital channels with the aim of enriching customer experience
Al-Bahar explained that over the past year, and in recognition of NBK's efforts in supporting customers and employees, the bank was one of the few banks around the world to be recognized by receiving a number of prestigious awards in the areas of innovation in digital banking services from Global Finance magazine, noting that the bank also scored a high rating in customer satisfaction index.
International expansion
Speaking about the outlook, Al Bahar said: “As we navigate into 2021, we will continue to focus efforts on leveraging the size and strength of our balance sheet to support our customers. In addition, having a combination of professional human cadres and advanced digital technology will remain a key factor for our success, as this will support the creation of distinguished propositions and solutions that attract new customers, and strengthen the relationships with existing customers."
Al-Bahar continued, saying: “We will continue to give priority to a disciplined focus on managing cost to remain financially and strategically flexible, and we will align our business with our endeavors to create added value for our customers by empowering them and enriching their banking experience. We will continue to simplify and digitize their interactions with us to save time, provide convenience and added value. We will also provide AI-based solutions and enhance the analysis of data and core digital systems to identify and meet their needs and provide them with new and outstanding solutions.”
On the international markets level, Al-Bahar mentioned that the bank will continue its efforts to expand in the retail and wholesale sectors in the Egyptian market by investing in digital banking services and focusing on increasing new customers acquisition and simplifying their transactions. On the other hand, the bank will seek to expand its regional wealth management footprint, by enhancing its wealth management proposition (Watani Wealth Management Company) and linking it to the group's global wealth management platform, as well as increasing commercial banking offers in the Saudi market to gradually boost its presence in the Kingdom and increase this market’s contribution to the group’s bottom line.
Positive signs
Al-Bahar stated: "Over the past few months, we have witnessed positive signs and indicators that give us optimism, and we are confident that our strategy will continue to achieve better returns for our shareholders across all of our key markets in the future. We stress that the executive management has a clear mission and an unwavering focus on preserving the bank’s leadership, and this mission is supported by key principles represented in putting customers first, investing in our people and digital infrastructure, and benefiting from our broad geographical footprint, and we are confident that the implementation of this mission will help us sustain stable returns for our shareholders on the long term.”
Al-Bahar concluded: "We are proud of the role we played since the very beginning of the crisis in supporting our country and government’s efforts to curb the spread of this pandemic, and we will certainly be there to support the recovery of our national economy from this crisis."
Operational resilience
Meanwhile, Mr. Salah Al-Fulaij, CEO of NBK-Kuwait, announced after the meeting: “The operating environment was exceptionally challenging, as Kuwait was one of the first and most keen countries to impose lockdown measures. This coincided with the slow pace of project implementation, low interest rates and the failure to approve the public debt law and guarantee financing for SMEs, which affected the business sector, as the IMF expected the economy to contract by 8.1% in 2020.
Al-Fulaij pointed out that these challenges demonstrated the bank's resilient business model, which as reflected in the asset growth trends mainly driven by the growth of loan portfolio by 5.7% year-on-year, with the continued support of the Kuwaiti demographics for strong growth trends in consumer lending, in addition to the bank's leading position in financing government, oil and private sectors’ institutions.
Al-Fulaij said: “Our crisis management focused on key pivots that aimed to continue focusing on digital initiatives and developing our digital channels to ensure uninterrupted services, consolidate our digital excellence, and provide the required support to our retail and corporate customers during the crisis, in addition to maintaining the safety of our customers and employees.”
Speaking on digital initiatives, Al-Fulaij said: “We launched advanced payment solutions for the first time in Kuwait at the beginning of the year, and we were the first to launch Samsung Pay in the third quarter. We also continued to invest in enhancing our digital channels, basically NBK Mobile Banking App, to which we added 22 updates. This was reflected in a 38% increase in the number of users and 51% in the number of transactions made using the app. At the end of the year, we opened our new branch at The Avenues Mall, unfolding NBK’s futuristic approach to branches, as part of our digital transformation strategy.
The bank’s digital excellence was recognized by naming it Best Consumer Digital Bank in Kuwait and the Middle East from Global Finance magazine.
Local dominance
Al-Fulaij continued: “We defended our market share and maintained our leadership as the largest financier of government projects and the house bank for Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) and its subsidiaries. We succeeded in leading the banking sector to conclude a financing facility agreement worth KD 1 billion in favor of KPC. We also preserved our dominant share in financing foreign companies operating in Kuwait and cemented our relationships with most of these companies. Additionally, we signed a memorandum of understanding with Italian Export Credit Agency (SACE) to support and finance Italian companies operating in Kuwait. We were also keen to continue investing in developing innovative banking and treasury solutions and foreign exchange services to live up to international standards.”
These efforts were recognized by winning the awards of Best Private Bank in Kuwait, Best Foreign Exchange Provider in the Middle East, and Best Trade Finance Bank in Kuwait from Global Finance magazine, Al-Fulaij pointed out.
Customer support
Regarding the bank's role in supporting customers, Al-Fulaij indciated that NBK and the banking sector launched exceptional initiatives to mitigate the impact of the crisis including a deferral program for the installments of all consumer loans and credit card for six months, without any resulting interest or fees, as well as deferring the installments of SMEs loans and stopping collection of fees on POS terminals and digital channels for three months. The bank also provided soft loans to its corporate and SMEs customers.
Al-Fulaij affirmed that NBK was committed to enable customers make all their transactions, saying: “We launched the mobile branch initiative, and reached our customers in quarantined areas during the full lockdown by providing mobile ATMs. And as part of our endeavors to serve all our customer segments, we opened our new branch at the headquarters of Kuwait Boursa, and were closer to our customers through our digital channels and social media platforms, which reached 1.7 million followers.”
These customer support efforts were recognized as NBK was named Best Retail Bank in Customer Service in Kuwait, according to Service Hero Index.
Al-Fulaij highlighted that the bank’s employees received full support during these exceptional circumstances, and a series of questionnaires were conducted about employees’ awareness and confidence in the measures taken by the bank during these times. This helped create new programs and resources to support them, with a strong focus on their health and safety.
Furthermore, in order to protect our people, Al-Fulaij indicated that the bank has taken all necessary actions to keep them safe, and has not stopped to provide them with training by re-designing all training courses according to virtual reality technology, as the bank organized 71 training programs and workshops that were attended by 1137 participants, and 2,625 employees received mandatory training courses, which are unprecedented levels NBK succeeded to achieve, despite the exceptional circumstances.
NBK’s leadership
Al-Fulaij pointed out that while the bank strives to weather the continuing crisis, it is looking forward to the future and focusing on preserving NBK’s leadership and its dominant market share in Kuwait by continuing to implement its digital transformation roadmap that supports the achievement of all the bank’s strategic objectives, basically acquisition of more customers from the youth segment.
“We aim to maintain our leadership in financing development projects, support and finance expansion of the oil and private sector projects. We also seek to continue our strategy aiming to penetrate the medium-sized companies market to increase and diversify our corporate customer base. We are also looking forward to complete the strategy of creating integration between branches and digital services, as opening the Avenues branch was just the beginning of unveiling this strategy,” he added.
Thanks and appreciation..
At the end of his speech, Mr. Nasser Al-Sayer, on behalf of all Board members and the Executive Management team, extended thanks to HH Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmad Al Sabah, the Emir of Kuwait, and HH Sheikh Meshaal Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, the Crown Prince, for their continued support for the stability and growth of the Kuwaiti economy. He also thanked the Central Bank of Kuwait and the Capital Markets Authority for their efforts to make Kuwait a more attractive investment destination.
In addition, Al-Sayer thanked the shareholders for their trust in National Bank of Kuwait, and also expressed his special gratitude to the bank’s customers in Kuwait and throughout the region and the whole world for their loyalty and continuous support.
Al-Sayer also thanked the Group's Board of Directors for their prudent advice and leadership. He also expressed his appreciation for the relentless efforts of the Executive Management of the National Bank of Kuwait and their constant endeavors to sustain the bank’s progress, and accentuated the instrumental role of the bank’s employees to gain the confidence placed by customers and shareholders in the bank.
Dividend distribution date
Cash dividends and bonus shares will be distributed as of Tuesday dated 30.03.2021, for the shareholders registered in the bank’s shareholders’ records as at the end of the due date set to Thursday dated 25.03.2021.
Eid and Saidi elected as independent board members
The General Assembly elected Dr. Robert Maroun Eid and Dr. Nasser Amin Saidi as independent members for the remainder of the membership term for the current session of the board, in compliance with corporate governance regulations issued by the regulatory authorities.
Dr. Robert Eid
Dr. Eid has over 40 years experience in the financial industry. He held numerous positions at the National Bank of Kuwait and the Arab National Bank (ANB) KSA, as well as other financial institutions. He held many executive positions in a number of leading financial institutions including Saudi Home Loans Company, Arab National Investment Company, MetLife AIG & ANB Cooperative Insurance Company.
He served as Managing Director and CEO of Arab National Bank - KSA from 2005 to 2021, and as Managing Director and CEO of National Bank of Kuwait (International) plc – London from 1995 to 2005.
Dr. Eid holds a PhD degree in Money and Banking from the Sorbonne University in Paris, having read Economics at the American University of Beirut.
Dr. Eid won the “World Finance” award of “Best Banker in the Middle East” for the year 2016.
Dr. Nasser Al-Saidi
Dr. Al-Saidi has vast experience in macroeconomics, banking, and investments. He held many executive positions at various financial institutions in several Arab countries and in Europe. He worked as a professor of economics at the University of Chicago and the Graduate Institute in Geneva, Switzerland. He was also a lecturer at the American University of Beirut and Saint Joseph University in Lebanon.
Throughout his tenure, Dr. Saidi held several key positions. He served as the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry in Lebanon from 1998 to 2000 and the First Vice Governor of Banque du Liban (Central Bank of Lebanon) from 1993 to 2003.
He also was a Member of UN Committee for Development Policy (UNCDP) from 2005 to 2006, and the Chief Advisor to the Minister of Finance - UAE from 2005 to 2006 and the Chief Economists & Strategist and Head of External Relations for Dubai International Financial Center (DIFC) from 2006 to 2012. He also served as the Executive Director of the Hawkamah Institute for Corporate Governance and Mudara Institute of Directors from 2006 to 2012.
Since 2013, Dr. Al-Saidi has served as a member of the advisory board of the Official Financial and Monetary Institutions Forum (OFMIF). He has also been a member of the Regional Advisory Group of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) since 2009.
Al-Saidi holds a PhD and a master’s degree from the University of Rochester in USA. He also obtained a master's degree in economics from the University of London in the UK.
Kuwait: National Bank of Kuwait Hosts Group HR Conference for International Branches
04.05.2025As part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen integration and alignment across international markets, the Group Human Resources Division at the National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) hosted a major HR conference at its Head Office in Kuwait. The three-day event brought together HR leaders from NBK’s international branches and subsidiaries across 13 countries and 4 continents.
Held from April 28 to 30, the conference served as a platform for sharing best practices, aligning future strategies, and reinforcing cooperation among HR teams within the NBK Group.
The conference opened with welcoming remarks from NBK’s executive leadership, followed by a comprehensive presentation of the Group’s overall HR strategy. Each international HR head also delivered presentations outlining their respective local strategies and initiatives.
A key component of the event was a specialized workshop titled 'Change Management', part of NBK’s Career Leap project. The program also included advanced training on job design and evaluation, emphasizing alignment with global HR best practices in attracting, retaining, and developing top talent—solidifying NBK’s position as an employer of choice in the banking sector.
As part of the Career Leap initiative, attendees participated in a full-day training session delivered by a leading global firm on 'Strategic Change Leadership Workshop'. The session explored dynamic change leadership practices, highlighting strategies for managing transformation in fast-evolving economic environments. It also provided tools and frameworks for adapting to organizational change, fostering agility, and navigating uncertainty through global case studies.
The conference further addressed ways to enhance the effectiveness of HR services and operations across the Group. Discussions included developing core competencies, grooming future leaders, promoting a unified organizational culture, and leveraging innovative ideas from diverse markets to drive performance. Cross-border collaboration was underscored as a critical strategy for addressing common challenges.
In a heartfelt moment, the conference honored the Head of HR at NBK Singapore on her retirement, marking 41 years of dedicated service. The recognition demonstrated the Bank’s deep appreciation for employee commitment and exemplified the values of professionalism and respect that define NBK’s corporate culture.
On this occasion, Mr. Emad Al-Ablani, Group Chief Human Resources Officer, stated: "We are proud to host this important conference aimed at strengthening strategic alignment and global collaboration among HR teams across all NBK international branches and subsidiaries. This event reaffirms our commitment to supporting the Group’s operational goals and long-term growth."
He added:"The conference reflects the strength of our Group HR function and our collective dedication to building a high-performing, future-ready workforce that aligns with NBK’s global vision to meet the evolving demands of our business and clients."
Al-Ablani emphasized that the event reasserts NBK’s leadership in attracting, developing, and retaining top talent while reinforcing a unified corporate culture across all operational markets.
He concluded by affirming that NBK’s HR Division will continue to play a vital role in enabling the Group’s strategic ambitions by focusing on human capital development, preparing professional talent to lead the Bank into the future, and cultivating an innovative, engaging, and empowering work environment. He noted that cooperation among HR teams across all geographies remains a cornerstone of NBK’s continued excellence and leadership in both regional and global arenas.
NBK is recognized for its exceptional workplace culture and invests heavily in employee development. The Bank actively fosters creativity and innovation within its workforce—key drivers that contribute to its distinguished standing in the local and regional banking sector.
Kuwait: NBK Receives 7 Prestigious awards Within the MENA Banking Excellence Awards from MEED
01.05.2025The National Bank of Kuwait received 7 prestigious awards from MEED International Magazine, within the MENA Banking Excellence Awards for the year 2025, for its efforts in providing exceptional banking services and enriching the customer banking experience with innovative solutions.
The awards won by NBK during the annual ceremony organized by MEED in Dubai included Best Retail Bank and Best Bank for SMEs in Kuwait, and 5 MENA awards for Best Loan Offering, Best Contactless Payment Experience, Best Payment Solution for SMEs. In addition, Weyay Bank has been recognized as the winner of MENA Most Innovative Product/Service award for Weyay Jeel's groundbreaking approach to digital banking for children, and finally, Mr. Mohammed Al-Othman, CEO of Consumer and Digital Banking Group at NBK, has been named MENA Retail Banker of the Year for the fourth consecutive year.
These awards are a testament to NBK’s leadership locally and regionally and its pioneering innovative digital achievements and catering to customers’ banking needs by introducing top-notch banking services and advanced payment solutions, making the name “NBK” associated with everything new in digital banking products and services in Kuwait and across the MENA region.
Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)
Winning the awards for Best MENA Payment Solutions for SMEs and Best Bank in Kuwait for SMEs reflects the remarkable efforts of NBK in supporting Small and Medium Enterprises, and its local and regional leadership in providing banking services and products as well as diverse payment solutions that are quick, flexible and support the development and needs of its SMEs clients.
Al-Othman MENA Retail Banker of the Year
Naming Al-Othman as MENA Retail Banker of the Year for the fourth consecutive year reaffirms his pivotal role, and his remarkable leadership of the Consumer and Digital Banking Group team in attaining these achievements and providing a comprehensive digital banking experience that not only meets customers’ needs but exceeds their expectations.
This award also recognizes Al-Othman’s dedication to setting ambitious goals and implementing innovative strategies that have not only had a significant impact on NBK customers, but also on the Kuwaiti and regional banking landscape, rendering him a role model for banking leaders who are driving regional progress and innovation in the industry.
NBK holds a record filled with achievements and global awards that emphasize its excellence in digital transformation and echo its commitment to being innovative and providing exceptional customer service, in addition to its commitment to making long-term relationships with customers.
Founded in 1957, MEED is a leading magazine focused on economic and business news and intelligence related to the Middle East.
In partnership with leading financial services publications Retail Banker International and Private Banker International, both issued by GlobalData, MEED introduces MENA Banking Excellence Awards to celebrate the best-in-class banking and financial services institutions and individuals for their innovative offering and commitment to customer excellence.
Weyay Bank Wins "Most Innovative Product" Award for Jeel, Banking App and Card
Weyay Bank, Kuwait's pioneering fully digital bank, continues its streak of excellence and leadership in the digital banking sector, announcing its latest award; the "Most Innovative Product" award at the MEED Banking Excellence Awards in the Middle East and North Africa 2025. This prestigious recognition celebrates "Jeel”, the Weyay’s banking card and application specifically designed for the 8-14 year age group. This achievement underscores the bank's ongoing commitment to digital innovation, building upon its previous success in being named "Best Digital Bank in Kuwait" by MEED in 2024.
Acknowledging Weyay Bank's role in setting new benchmarks within the banking industry, the "Most Innovative Product" award for "Jeel" highlights the digital advancements the bank champions to elevate customer experience and deliver inventive solutions catering to all age segments. This accolade also reflects Weyay Bank’s steadfast dedication to leading the digital transformation within the Kuwaiti banking sector and meeting the evolving needs of the rising digital generation. Since its inception in 2021, Weyay Bank has rapidly established itself as a frontrunner in digital banking innovation, setting new standards for a seamless and round-the-clock banking experience, free from traditional processes and tailored to customer aspirations.
The “Jeel” app, meticulously crafted to empower young individuals, foster their financial independence, and cultivate financial literacy from an early age. By integrating a simplified user interface designed for "Jeel" customers with comprehensive parental control tools accessible through the parent's Weyay application, "Jeel" establishes new benchmarks for personalized banking services tailored to this demographic's specific needs. The "Jeel" card embodies simplicity and ease of use across all its digital services and features, contributing to building a sense of responsibility and financial awareness from a young age through a personalized bank card and dedicated application, also enabling the use of e-wallets like Apple Pay.
This new recognition reflects Weyay Bank’s continuous commitment to providing a comprehensive digital banking experience centered around users from all segments of society, empowering them to manage their finances with ease. Weyay Bank will continue its unwavering dedication to fostering innovation and delivering the highest levels of excellence in digital banking services.
MEED, a highly respected global publication established in 1957 specializing in the analysis of economic activities in the Middle East, underscores Weyay's leading position in digital banking innovation and reinforces its valuable contributions to the development of the banking sector in Kuwait. Amidst the rapid evolution of financial services, Weyay Bank remains dedicated to its mission of redefining the concept of banking in the digital age and empowering the community to achieve growth and success in an increasingly digital world.
Kuwait: Shaikha Al-Bahar Participates in the Egyptian-Kuwaiti Cooperation Council Delegation in Cairo
27.04.2025Ms. Shaikha Al-Bahar, Deputy Group CEO of the National Bank of Kuwait, participated in the Egyptian-Kuwaiti Cooperation Council’s visit to Cairo, aimed at exploring avenues to strengthen bilateral cooperation and unlock new opportunities across various sectors.
The Kuwaiti delegation, headed by Mr. Mohammed Al-Sager Head of the Egyptian-Kuwaiti Cooperation Council—comprised senior representatives from prominent Kuwaiti banks and corporations.
The delegation was received by His Excellency President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi at the Presidential Palace in Cairo, where he extended an invitation to Kuwaiti investors to explore the wealth of opportunities available in Egypt. He emphasized the incentives and facilities provided by the Egyptian government, encouraging the development of industrial cooperation through the establishment of strategic partnerships between Egyptian and Kuwaiti companies. El-Sisi underscored the immense potential of the Egyptian market, emphasizing its expansive scale, robust growth prospects, and significant demand across diverse sectors. He highlighted the substantial opportunities available for investors, particularly in high-value industries, where they stand to reap considerable returns.
The delegation also held a meeting with Egyptian Prime Minister Dr. Mostafa Madbouly at the Government Headquarters in the New Administrative Capital. The meeting was attended by Eng. Hassan El-Khatib, Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade; Ambassador Ghanem Saqr Al-Ghanem, Kuwait’s Ambassador to Egypt; and Ambassador Osama Shaltout, Egypt’s Ambassador to Kuwait.
During the meeting, Prime Minister Madbouly invited Kuwaiti investors to tap into the wide array of investment opportunities available in Egypt, affirming the government’s willingness to grant the “Golden License” to projects mutually agreed upon by both sides—streamlining procedures and reinforcing Egypt’s commitment to facilitating foreign investment.
Madbouly expressed his keen interest in seeing the Kuwaiti side explore the diverse investment prospects Egypt has to offer across a range of sectors. He emphasized Egypt’s openness to forging various forms of partnerships with Kuwaiti investors, underscoring the country’s commitment to fostering mutually beneficial collaboration that serves the shared interests of both nations.
He outlined several promising investment opportunities within the Egyptian market, particularly in key sectors including food security, oil and petrochemicals, logistics, tourism, and hospitality.
The Egyptian Prime Minister also reaffirmed the freedom to transfer foreign funds abroad, noting that the economic reforms implemented by the Egyptian government since March 2024—most notably the adoption of a flexible exchange rate policy—have significantly bolstered the country’s foreign currency reserves.
The delegation also held discussions with Egyptian Foreign Minister Dr. Badr Abdelatty, who expressed pride in the longstanding and historic ties between Egypt and Kuwait. He provided an overview of the recent economic reforms and national projects undertaken by Egypt, highlighting efforts to enhance the investment climate and strengthen the role of the private sector across various industries.
Furthermore, the Kuwaiti delegation engaged in a meeting with Egyptian Minister of the Public Business Sector, Eng. Mohamed Shemy, alongside Mohamed Jubran, Minister of Labor, to explore avenues for strengthening bilateral cooperation across business, economic, and commercial sectors. The discussions also focused on the investment opportunities available for Kuwaiti investors in the Egyptian market.
Additionally, the delegation participated in the Egyptian-Kuwaiti Investment and Business Forum, attended by a range of ministers and senior officials. The forum, which aimed to bolster economic and investment ties between Kuwait and Egypt, facilitated discussions on enhancing collaboration across various business, economic, and commercial sectors.
Kuwait: NBK Reports Net Profit of KD 134.1 Million for 1Q2025
21.04.2025National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) has announced its financial results for the three-months period ended 31 March 2025. The Bank reported a net profit of KD 134.1 million (USD 434.8 million), compared to KD 146.6 million (USD 475.3 million) for the corresponding period in 2024. Profit before tax for the period reached KD 173.4 million (USD 562.3 million) compared to KD 172.0 million (USD 557.7 million) recorded in 2024.
Total assets as of the end of March 2025 grew by 8.7% year-on-year to reach KD 41.6 billion (USD 135.0 billion), whereas customer loans and advances increased by 9.9% year-on-year to KD24.6 billion (USD 79.8 billion).
Customer deposits grew by 5.6%, reaching KD23.5 billion (USD 76.2 billion) by the end of March 2025. Meanwhile, shareholders’ equity stood at KD 4.0 billion (USD 13.1 billion), reflecting a growth of 6.4% year-on-year.
Solid Results
Commenting on the Bank's annual financial results, Hamad Al-Bahar, NBK Group Chairman stated, “NBK entered 2025 on a strong note, delivering solid financial results in the first quarter despite a challenging global landscape. The performance came amid persistent geopolitical tensions on both global and regional fronts, rising concerns over a potential global trade war following recent U.S. tariff measures, and increasingly complex macroeconomic conditions across many parts of the world.”
“Once again, NBK reaffirms its resilience and adaptability to evolving economic conditions, underpinned by a well-diversified mix of products, services, and international operations across various parts of the world. This strategic positioning is supported by the Bank’s strong balance sheet, solid capitalization, high liquidity, and high asset quality—all reinforced by a prudent risk management approach,” Al-Bahar added.
He emphasized that NBK is well-positioned to sustain its leadership in the domestic financial sector while delivering long-term value to shareholders, customers, and the communities it serves. He noted that the Bank continues to realize the benefits of its strategic investments in both technology and human capital.
“In 2025, NBK is set to accelerate its sustainable financing efforts in pursuit of its target to expand its sustainable assets portfolio to USD 10 billion by 2030. The Bank will also continue to advance a range of initiatives in support of its broader commitment to achieving carbon neutrality,” Al-Bahar confirmed.
He highlighted that during the first quarter of 2025, NBK played a key role in launching and supporting a wide range of initiatives across various fields, reinforcing its position as the leading contributor to social responsibility in Kuwait. Among these efforts was NBK’s annual Ramadan campaign, “Doing Good Deeds”, which featured a diverse lineup of health, sports, cultural, and recreational activities.
Strong Buffers
Meanwhile, Mr. Isam J. Al-Sager, NBK Group Vice Chairman and CEO, said: “NBK’s first-quarter financial results this year underscore the strength of its buffers, which have enabled it to withstand global economic headwinds and their ripple effects across regional and local markets.”
Al-Sager noted that NBK’s diversified business mix, strategically planned investments, and prudent risk management enabled the Bank to maintain operational flexibility across its various business segments during the first three months of 2025. This was led by the core banking business, which played a key role in mitigating the impact of an increasingly challenging economic conditions during that period.
He stated that NBK’s net profit for the first quarter of 2025 was impacted by the effective implementation of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT) on multinational enterprises (MNEs) operating in the country. This led to net profit recording a year-on-year drop of 8.5% while profit before tax was flat year-on-year.
Al-Sager revealed that NBK Group recorded a net operating income of KD310.7 million (USD 1.0 billion) in the first quarter of 2025, reporting a growth of 0.6% year-on-year. He also noted that both the International Banking and Boubyan Bank, its Islamic banking arm, remain key revenue and profit growth contributors to the Group.
Seizing Opportunities
Al-Sager emphasized that NBK remains committed to investing in technology and fostering innovation to build an inclusive and sustainable financial future. He added that the Bank aims to expand its customer base while capitalizing on opportunities in promising markets and key sectors.
He further noted that during the first quarter of 2025, NBK continued to deliver innovative solutions and services tailored to the evolving needs of its customers, showcasing its agility in keeping pace with rapid market developments. The Bank also entered into strategic partnerships with leading local and international institutions across key sectors, reinforcing its commitment to offering customers an exceptional and comprehensive banking experience.
On the wealth management front, Al-Sager stated that NBK Wealth has continued to enhance its offerings by delivering a broad range of integrated solutions across private banking, asset management, financial planning, and advisory services. Supported by a wide global network of operations, these efforts have further solidified its position as the largest wealth management entity in Kuwait and among the leading players in the region.
Al-Sager emphasized the Bank’s commitment to actively contributing to Kuwait’s economic growth and development through financing strategic infrastructure projects, ongoing support for entrepreneurs, and efforts to promote financial inclusion. He also highlighted NBK’s focus on maintaining its competitive edge in the local market while continuing to grow its presence in international markets.
Furthermore, he emphasized the Bank’s commitment to enhancing operational efficiency across all business sectors, while reinforcing its role in supporting sustainability efforts within the communities it serves. He also highlighted NBK’s dedication to being a strategic partner for customers in their pursuit of sustainable financing solutions.
Operational Environment
Regarding his outlook for the business environment in Kuwait, Al-Sager noted, “Several indicators suggest a positive shift in the operational landscape for Kuwait in 2025. At the forefront is the continued momentum in awarding and implementing projects. This positive trend is expected to persist as the government focuses its economic agenda on prioritizing major development projects and accelerating their implementation in alignment with Vision 2035.”
Al-Sager emphasized the government's commitment to advancing financial and economic reforms, highlighted by the recent adoption of key legislation such as the Financing and Liquidity Law (debt law) and the anticipated issuance of the mortgage law. These initiatives are expected to support economic growth and positively impact the business environment in Kuwait. However, he noted that the challenges posed by US tariffs, concerns over a potential global trade war, and ongoing geopolitical tensions will remain among the most significant uncertainties that are facing the markets in the near term.
The Strongest & Most Valuable Brand
NBK reaffirmed the strength of its brand in 2025, maintaining its position as the most valuable and strongest banking brand in Kuwait. According to the annual report issued by Brand Finance, NBK widened its lead over competitors in the Kuwaiti banking sector, achieving a 22% increase in brand value compared to 2024. Moreover, Global Finance recently named NBK the Best Bank in Kuwait - 2025, further solidifying its leadership in the Kuwaiti banking sector.
Key financial indicators for 1Q2025
• Net operating income stood at KD310.7 million (USD 1.0 billion), up 0.6% year-on-year
• Total assets grew by 8.7% year-on-year, at KD 41.6 billion (USD 135.0 billion)
• Customer loans and advances increased by 9.9% year-on-year to KD 24.6 billion (USD 79.8 billion)
• Customer deposits grew by 5.6% year-on-year to KD 23.5 billion (USD 76.2 billion)
• Shareholders’ equity amounted to KD 4.0 billion (USD 13.1 billion), registering an annual growth of 6.4%
• Strong asset quality metrics, with NPL/gross loans ratio at 1.38% and an NPL coverage ratio of 251%
• Robust Capital Adequacy Ratio of 16.6%, comfortably exceeding regulatory requirements
Kuwait: NBK is the Most Valuable & Strongest Banking Brand in Kuwait
20.04.2025National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) ranked as the most valuable and strongest banking brand in Kuwait for 2025, according to Brand Finance's annual report.
Brand Finance's 2025 report highlighted NBK's success in widening the gap with its competitors in Kuwait in terms of brand value and strength. The bank's brand value surged by 22%, reaching US$1.738 billion, up from US$1.428 billion in 2024, placing it tenth among the most valuable banking brands in the Middle East. Its Brand Strength Index (BSI) also improved to 83.3 points, up from 81.2 points in 2024. NBK continues to lead in Kuwait as the strongest banking brand for the fourteenth consecutive year and ranks third among the strongest banking brands in the region.
Globally, NBK secured the 154th spot on Brand Finance's 2025 list of the world's 500 most valuable banking brands, climbing 12 places from its 2024 ranking. The bank also ranked 61st worldwide in brand strength, reinforcing its position among the strongest banking brands regionally and internationally. This recognition reflects NBK’s solid financial performance and growth prospects, assessed based on key criteria such as profitability margins and revenue.
This strong brand rating underscores the trust NBK enjoys among customers and shareholders, reinforcing its distinguished reputation locally, regionally, and globally. It also reflects the bank’s solid financial performance, its expanding geographic footprint across 13 countries on four continents, and its strategic presence—key factors that drive shareholder returns and enhance its offerings to deliver best-in-class banking products and services.
This rating further highlights the success of NBK’s strategic approach in reinforcing its identity and enhancing its brand strength.
Brand Finance is the world's leading independent brand valuation and strategy consultancy. Headquartered in London, the firm has offices in over 20 countries.
The company's trademark valuation is based on rigorous criteria, including the scale of operations, geographical reach, global and regional reputation, brand classification, and intellectual property.
NBK remains firmly committed to maintaining its leadership position and securing the highest credit ratings among all banks in the region, as affirmed by the consensus of renowned credit rating agencies: Moody's, Standard & Poor's, and Fitch.
The Bank holds long-term ratings of A1 from Moody's, A+ from Fitch Ratings, and A from Standard & Poor's, underpinned by its robust capitalization, consistent performance growth, high asset quality, cautious lending policies, effective risk management, and experienced and stable leadership.
NBK's standing among the safest banks in the world underscores the strength of its brand, as the bank continues to expand and foster innovation. It remains committed to enhancing its presence in key regional markets by offering innovative banking services tailored to meet its customers’ needs, irrespective of their geographic location.
According to Global Finance's 2024 list of the 100 safest banks in the world, NBK was the sole Kuwaiti bank featured, securing the 83rd position globally. This achievement highlights the strong global confidence in the bank.
Egypt: NBK-Egypt Reports EGP 7.3 billion (Equivalent to KWD 51.9 million) in Net Profit in FY2024
16.02.2025National Bank of Kuwait - Egypt (NBK-Egypt) reported net profits of EGP 7.3 billion (Equivalent to KWD 51.9 million ) for the financial year 2024 compared to EGP 4.021 billion (Equivalent to KWD 41.4 million) reported in 2023 marking an impressive 81% increase compared to financial year 2023.
Net Operating Income stood at EGP 13.5 billion by the end of FY2024, recording a substantial increase of 57% from EGP 8.7 billion recorded by the end of FY2023. In the meantime, Net Interest Income grew by 66%, reaching EGP 11.6 billion compared to EGP 7 billion in FY2023.
Meanwhile, Net Operating Income (excluding interests) increased to EGP 1.9 billion in FY2024, compared to EGP 1.7 billion in FY2023, up by 17%, while Cost to Net Operating Income dropped from 28% in FY2023 to 21.2% in FY2024.
Total assets reached EGP 196 billion by the end of FY2024, up by 50% compared to EGP 131 billion by the end of FY2023. Furthermore, total loans and credit facilities expanded to EGP 104 billion in FY2024, reflecting a growth rate of 37% compared to EGP 76 billion recorded at the end of FY2023. Additionally, customer deposits increased to EGP 160 billion by the end of FY2024, up from EGP 106 billion at the end of FY2023, representing a growth rate of 51%.
Furthermore, the Return on Average Assets (ROAA) improved to 4.5% by the end of FY2024, compared to 3.4% by the end of FY2023, while the Return on Average Equity (ROAE) increased to 39.2% in FY2024, up from 30.7% in FY2023.
Commenting on the financial results announced by NBK-Egypt, Ms. Shaikha Al-Bahar, Deputy Group Chief Executive Officer, National Bank of Kuwait, and Chairman of NBK-Egypt, said: “NBK-Egypt delivered record profits in 2024, underscoring the success of its operational strategy and reaffirming its trajectory toward further strengthening its position in the Egyptian market. As NBK Group’s most significant market outside Kuwait, Egypt holds substantial growth potential, driven by its promising opportunities and positive economic outlook.”
Al-Bahar highlighted that NBK’s operations in Egypt are among the group’s most profitable, delivering the highest returns on equity and assets.
Al-Bahar emphasized that the sustained expansion of the balance sheet and the growth of the bank's financial indicators reaffirm the success of its business diversification strategy and accelerated digital transformation. This approach aims to strengthen market share, particularly in retail banking, within the region’s most populous country and a key hub for investment opportunities.
“We are committed to enhancing service quality, expanding our geographical presence, and reaching a more diverse customer base. This progress is driven by the significant advancements in our digital infrastructure, information technology, and alternative electronic channels, which have positioned the bank as a strong competitor with a distinct presence in the Egyptian banking sector. This comes amid the rising demand for banking services and the increasing momentum of financial inclusion,” Al-Bahar stated.
“Egypt is a key growth market for NBK Group and a long-term strategic investment, where the Group remains committed to reinforcing its presence and strengthening its position,” Al-Bahar confirmed.
Meanwhile, Vice Chairman, CEO, and Managing Director of National Bank of Kuwait-Egypt, Mr. Yasser El-Tayeb, said: “The bank's strong financial performance at the end of 2024 surpassed expectations and targets, despite challenges and exceptional circumstances affecting the business environment both locally and globally. This achievement underscores the bank’s resilience and prudent business model, reinforcing its ability to sustain success and growth.”
Al-Tayeb emphasized that the bank’s growth is balanced across all business activities, ensuring efficiency and a risk profile aligned with sustainable expansion. This success is driven by a prudent strategy that meets the evolving needs of both corporate and individual clients while diversifying income streams.
Al-Tayeb noted that the bank’s income sources stem from credit operations in the corporate sector, alongside a rapidly expanding retail banking segment, which has grown significantly in recent years. The bank’s credit portfolio reflects a diverse client base, encompassing large, medium, and small enterprises, while its retail banking portfolio serves a broad spectrum of customers. This diversity underscores the strength and stability of the bank’s revenue streams. He further emphasized the bank’s commitment to strengthening its position in retail banking by introducing more advanced services and products tailored to meet customers' evolving financial needs and aspirations.
El-Tayeb further emphasized NBK-Egypt’s commitment to supporting the global shift toward sustainable finance and the transition to a green economy. The bank actively backs environmentally friendly projects that promote sustainability and increased reliance on renewable energy while exploring solutions to mitigate climate change and reduce carbon emissions. He highlighted that sustainable finance has become a vital tool for ensuring long-term financial stability and resilience.
He also affirmed the bank’s strong commitment to leveraging technology and digital channels to enhance its competitive edge in the banking sector. Recognizing their pivotal role, NBK-Egypt continues to expand its electronic services and encourage broader customer adoption of digital payments. This aligns with the broader strategy of the Egyptian government and the Central Bank of Egypt to promote financial inclusion, integrate new customer segments into the formal banking system, and drive the transition toward a less cash-dependent economy.
El-Tayeb concluded by highlighting NBK-Egypt’s steadfast commitment to social responsibility, emphasizing that since the Group’s entry into the Egyptian market in 2007, the bank has actively supported the local community. Through partnerships with reputable civil society organizations, NBK-Egypt channels its development efforts toward impactful initiatives, reinforcing its role as a responsible corporate citizen. Social responsibility remains a cornerstone of the bank’s sustainability strategy, contributing to national development across key areas, including:
• Healthcare provision
• Education and employment support
• Environmental conservation
• Social solidarity
• Development of underserved areas
• Economic development
Kuwait: Al-Sager: NBK Achieved Record Profits, Leveraging a Strategic Expansion
04.02.2025Mr. Isam Al-Sager, Vice Chairman and Group Chief Executive Officer of National Bank of Kuwait (NBK), announced that the Group achieved a record net profit of KD 600.1 million for 2024, marking its highest-ever annual performance. He credited the 7% profit increase compared to the previous year to the Group's exceptional operating performance and the ongoing expansion of its diversified business model.
In an interview with CNBC Arabia, Al-Sager attributed the robust net profit performance to increased business volume and the relatively high average interest rates throughout much of 2024, compared to 2023. He also highlighted the strong performance of fees and FX income across various business sectors and regions where the Group operates.
Al-Sager explained that in 2024, NBK Group saw an 8.3% year-on-year growth in net interest income, while operating income rose by 7.2% to KD 1.3 billion. He attributed this positive performance to the strong growth in the Group's loan portfolio, which expanded by 6.4% compared to 2023. This growth was seen across both domestic and international markets, encompassing both conventional and Islamic banking services.
“We have consistently upheld healthy levels of cost of risk, primarily driven by a 16% decrease in provisions for credit provisions and other impairments in 2024. The Group remains committed to its prudent approach in managing credit exposure,” Al-Sager noted.
International Operations & Wealth Management
Al-Sager highlighted the strong performance of NBK Group's international operations and wealth management, emphasizing the Group's distinctive advantage among Kuwaiti banks. He noted the strategic geographical spread through international banking services, along with the ability to conduct business in both Conventional and Islamic Banking.
He further noted that in 2024, the International Banking Group (IBG) contributed 24% of the Group’s net operating income and 23% of its profits, underscoring the robust performance across these segments.
Additionally, NBK Wealth contributed 9% to operating income and 11% to profits, reinforcing the effectiveness of the Group’s strategic diversification efforts.
The Future Outlook
Al-Sager conveyed a confident outlook for NBK's performance in 2025, driven by several pivotal factors. He underscored the influence of monetary and fiscal policies, notably the anticipated gradual pace of interest rate cuts, which are poised to support margins. Furthermore, he emphasized the ongoing momentum in projects award in Kuwait and the favorable climate for the enactment of several crucial economic laws, all of which are anticipated to further bolster the local operating environment.
Interest Rate Trajectory and Margin Impact
In response to a question about interest rates and their impact on margins, Al-Sager stated, “With uncertainty surrounding the scale of future rate cuts, intensifying competition, and a challenging global operating landscape, we anticipate some pressure on margins. Consequently, we expect net margins in 2025 to edge slightly lower, by a few basis points, compared to year-end 2024 levels.”
“However, it is important to consider that the expansion in business activity driven by a low-interest-rate environment could help offset margin pressures. With a well-diversified business model and an increased focus on fee-based income, we continuously hedge against interest rate fluctuations, ensuring resilience in varying market conditions,” Al-Sager explained.
Market Consolidation and Its Implications
Assessing the impact of ongoing mergers in the Kuwaiti banking sector, Al-Sager stated: “As one of the largest banks in the region, NBK is well accustomed to operating in highly competitive markets. However, these dynamics do not impose any pressure on us, as we remain steadfast in pursuing our strategic objectives.”
“We are years ahead of the current wave of mergers, having successfully expanded through strategic acquisitions in earlier growth phases. These expansions strengthened our business diversification and service integration. Today, we are capitalizing on the success of our expansion strategy, having mitigated the risks of business consolidation and sharpened our focus on delivering exceptional services across all the markets in which we operate,” he added.
Al-Sager emphasized that banking mergers are often followed by challenges that can provide NBK with opportunities to seize.
He further emphasized NBK Group’s commitment to expanding its presence in regional markets, reaffirming its readiness to pursue acquisition opportunities that strengthen service integration and drive added value for shareholders.
Projects Award
Commenting on the projects market in Kuwait, Al-Sager expressed optimism due to the strong activity in the market, noting that the awarding of development projects by the end of 2024 reached its highest level in nearly eight years. He anticipates this momentum to persist into 2025.
He emphasized the widespread consensus on the importance of prioritizing major development projects and enhancing Kuwait's appeal as an investment hub. This includes the urgent need to approve a set of long-awaited laws that would align with and support ongoing economic reform efforts.
“With decision-making now solely in the hands of the government, we no longer face the disruptive entanglements of the past, and this will positively impact the anticipated economic reforms,” Al-Sager noted.
“We are witnessing meaningful discussions on the adoption of key laws, such as the real estate financing and public debt laws. The enactment of these laws would serve as a crucial catalyst, driving the Kuwaiti economy toward smoother and faster growth,” He stated.
Multinational Corporate Tax
Commenting on Kuwait's recent enactment of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Taxes (DMTT) on multinational enterprises (MNEs), effective 2025, Al-Sager explained that this corporate tax follows a global standard already in place in many countries where NBK Group operates. He emphasized that its local implementation would benefit Kuwait by ensuring these revenues stay within the country, rather than flowing to other nations.
In response to a question regarding the potential impact of the tax implementation on the bank’s profits, Al-Sager stated: “Naturally, there will be an impact on our profits in 2025, with an anticipated increase in the tax applied to the Group’s profits by approximately 8 to 15%. However, this impact is expected to be temporary, as the base year 2025 marks the introduction of the tax.”
Real Estate Financing Law
Commenting on the Real Estate Financing law, Al-Sager stated: “We view the real estate financing law, or housing finance, as the most effective practical solution to Kuwait's housing crisis. With over 97,000 pending housing applications at the Public Authority for Housing Welfare and approximately 10,000 new applications each year, this issue has only intensified without any tangible resolution.”
He highlighted the recent positive developments supporting the adoption of the law, noting that this comes at a time when the government has clearly stated that refinancing Kuwait Credit Bank is challenging due to the anticipated ongoing budget deficit. He also emphasized that the Kuwaiti banking system is in an excellent position, with high levels of liquidity and capitalization, and is well-equipped to play a crucial role in addressing the housing issue.
Al-Sager expressed strong confidence that the right legislative and regulatory framework will empower banks to take a central role in resolving the housing crisis, using financing mechanisms akin to those in neighboring markets. He highlighted this as a major growth opportunity for Kuwaiti banks, especially given the substantial backlog of housing applications and the steady influx of new applicants each year. Additionally, he pointed out that Kuwait's youth demographic, which makes up the majority of the population, adds urgency to the need for effective solutions.
Kuwait: NBK Reports Net Profit of KD 600.1 Million for FY2024
02.02.2025National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) has announced its financial results for the financial year ended 31 December 2024.The Bank reported a net profit of KD 600.1 million (USD 1.9 billion), compared to KD 560.6 million (USD 1.8 billion) for the financial year 2023, an increase of 7.0% year-on-year.
Earnings per share (EPS) stood at 69 fils by the end of 2024, compared to 65 fils by the end of 2023, Meanwhile, total assets as of December 2024 grew by 7.1% year-on-year, reaching KD 40.3 billion (USD 130.9 billion).
Customer deposits grew by 4.2%, totaling KD 22.9 billion (USD 74.2 billion) as of December 2024. Meanwhile, Group loans and advances reached KD 23.7 billion (USD 76.9 billion) by December 2024, reflecting a growth of 6.4% year-on-year.
In the meantime, shareholders' equity also saw an increase, standing at KD 3.9 billion (USD 12.7 billion), up by 5.9% year-on-year.
In terms of distributions, the Board of Directors has proposed a cash dividend of 25 fils per share for the second half of 2024, bringing the total cash dividend for the year to 35 fils, equivalent to around 50% of net profits. Furthermore, the Board has recommended the distribution of bonus shares at a ratio of 5%. These proposed distributions are subject to the approval at the Annual General Assembly (AGM).
Adapting To Changing Conditions
Commenting on the bank's annual financial results, Hamad Al-Bahar, NBK Group Chairman stated, “In 2024, we delivered strong performance, showcasing the resilience and adaptability of our flexible, diversified business model in response to varying economic conditions. This success was bolstered by a robust capital base, high asset quality, strong liquidity, and prudent risk management.”
He explained that the bank remains committed to balancing the achievement of optimal returns for its shareholders while addressing the evolving needs of its customers. He further emphasized that sustainability has become a key driver in strengthening the bank's long-term growth prospects, as it continues to implement significant initiatives that support responsible business practices and contribute to the sustainable development of Kuwait’s economy.
"In 2025, NBK aims to accelerate its sustainable financing efforts, targeting a sustainable asset portfolio of approximately USD 10 billion by 2030," stated Al-Bahar. He further highlighted that the bank continues to implement various initiatives as part of its efforts to achieve carbon neutrality.
Al-Bahar stated that throughout 2024, NBK strengthened its social contributions by launching and supporting numerous programs and initiatives across various sectors, including health, social development, the environment, youth, education, and women's empowerment. These efforts are aimed at reinforcing the foundations of sustainable development in alignment with Kuwait Vision 2035 and the National Development Plan (NDP), further advancing NBK's leading position as the largest contributor to social responsibility in Kuwait.
Sustainable Growth
Meanwhile, Mr. Isam J. Al-Sager, NBK Vice Chairman and Group CEO, said: “Despite heightened geopolitical tensions regionally and globally in 2024, along with their adverse economic repercussions and the onset of declining interest rates, NBK successfully maintained its trajectory of sustainable growth. The Group's net operating income grew by 7.2% year-on-year, reaching KD 1.3 billion (USD 4.1 billion)”.
Al-Sager emphasized that NBK's financial results for 2024 reflect exceptional operational performance across its various business sectors, particularly its core banking operations. He highlighted the significant contributions of the Group's international operations and Boubyan Bank, the Group's Islamic banking arm, to both revenues and net profits during the year.
Al-Sager highlighted NBK's ongoing efforts to expand its customer base by offering innovative digital products and services of international standards, coupled with exceptional customer service. He emphasized the bank's continued investments in technology and innovation, reinforcing its leadership in digital banking solutions that drive sustainable growth. These efforts not only maximize value for customers and shareholders but also contribute positively to our communities and to all stakeholders. This commitment has earned the bank numerous prestigious accolades, including being named the “Best in Innovation- Global Winner” for 2024, for the second consecutive year by Global Finance magazine.
Al-Sager emphasized that NBK Group is dedicated to further advancing its reputation as a trusted financial partner by fostering deeper relationships with existing customers and capitalizing on emerging opportunities. He highlighted the Group’s commitment to reinforcing its leadership in investment and wealth management services across the region, noting the launch of the "NBK Wealth" brand in 2024, which has established the largest wealth management entity in Kuwait and positioned it among the leading providers in the region.
Al-Sager highlighted NBK’s significant advancements in sustainability during 2024, emphasizing the bank's commitment to its ESG strategy, which underscores its leading role in shaping a more sustainable and prosperous future for all. He noted that NBK was the first bank in Kuwait to join the Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financials (PCAF) and achieved a major milestone by issuing Kuwait’s first green bonds, valued at USD 500 million, solidifying its position as a trailblazer among financial institutions in the country.
In the meantime, Al-Sager emphasized NBK’s unwavering commitment to investing in human capital, highlighting that in 2024, the bank continued to attract and nurture young talent through top-tier training and development programs aligned with international standards. These initiatives aim to cultivate a highly skilled generation of banking professionals, with a particular focus on digital competencies that have become indispensable in the evolving landscape of banking transactions driven by advanced technology and artificial intelligence.
Operational Environment
Regarding his outlook for the operational environment in 2025, Al-Sager expressed optimism about the continued momentum in project awards, building on the progress achieved in 2024 amid political stability.
He noted that with decision-making now centralized within the government, processes have become more streamlined and efficient. Al-Sager also expressed hope that this positive trajectory would be complemented by the enactment of key laws and legislations aimed to bolster domestic economic growth.
Al-Sager emphasized that NBK aims to play a pivotal role in financing upcoming mega projects, further solidifying its position as the government’s primary partner in funding major strategic initiatives. He highlighted that the anticipated improvement in project awards, coupled with the downward trajectory of interest rates, is expected to positively impact credit demand across both corporate and retail sectors.
However, he acknowledged the persistence of certain challenges that could have adverse economic repercussions, particularly the ongoing geopolitical tensions at both regional and global levels.
Key financial indicators for FY2024
• Net operating income stood at KD 1.3 billion (USD 4.1 billion), up 7.2% year-on-year
• Total assets grew by 7.1% year-on-year, at KD 40.3 billion (USD 130.9 billion)
• Total loans and advances increased by 6.4% year-on-year to KD 23.7 billion (USD 76.9 billion)
• Customer deposits grew by 4.2% year-on-year to KD 22.9 billion (USD 74.2 billion)
• Shareholders’ equity amounted to KD 3.9 billion (USD 12.7 billion), registering an annual growth of 5.9%.
• Strong asset quality metrics, with NPL/gross loans ratio at 1.34% and an NPL coverage ratio of 263%
• Robust Capital Adequacy Ratio of 17.3%, comfortably exceeding regulatory requirements.