+965 2224 8361
Kuwait: NBK Pioneers Sustainable Finance with USD500 Million Debut Green Bonds
02.06.2024National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) has successfully priced its first US$500 million green bonds under its Global Medium Term Note programme.
The Green notes have a 6-year maturity and first call date after 5-years. The inaugural issuance not only marks the first Green issuance by NBK but the first of its kind out of Kuwait, marking a pivotal step towards NBK’s commitment to sustainable and transition finance.
Issued in both Reg S and Rule 144A formats, these bonds represent a landmark debut in the realm of green bonds from a Kuwaiti financial institution. NBK remains the sole FI issuer in 144A format, allowing investors from the US access to the scarce paper out of the country.
Notably, they also stand out as one of the largest green issuances from conventional financial institutions in the MENA region, underscoring NBK's pioneering role in advancing sustainable financial practices.
The issuance aligns with the Group's strategy to enhance the Bank's foreign currency liquidity, improve regulatory ratios, diversify funding sources, and showcase its commitment to ESG practices and principles.
The total order book for the new issuance peaked at US$1.5 billion (Excluding Joint lead managers interest), resulting in an over subscription of more than 3 times. This reflects global investors' strong interest and confidence in the quality of NBK's credit position and its sustainability initiatives as well as the attractiveness of Kuwait as an investment destination.
The bank's bond issuance saw strong reception from a diverse array of global investors and financial institutions. U.S. investors made up 49% of the issuance, followed by Middle East investors at 26%, UK investors at 18%, European investors at 5%, and Asian investors contributing 2% of the coverage.
In terms of the bond coverage by investor type, asset managers accounted for 69%, followed by banks and private banks at 22%, while governments, insurance companies and pension funds made up 9% of the total investor base.
NBK continues to be the tightest non-sovereign issuer out of Kuwait. Strong investor demand provided the bank with a significant advantage in pricing the bonds, which featured a spread of 95 bps over US Treasuries, the equivalent of a 5.522% reoffer yield. The notes were issued at a discount and had a final coupon of 5.500%, fixed with semi-annual coupon payments until their first call date, followed by a floating rate of SOFR + 116 bps paid quarterly thereafter.
The bonds will be listed on the Irish Stock Exchange (Euronext Dublin). The Bank will allocate an amount equivalent to the net proceeds from the bonds exclusively to finance eligible green assets, in accordance with the Sustainable Financing Framework launched by NBK Group in 2022.
Citigroup, JPMorgan, along with HSBC and Standard Chartered acted as Global Coordinators on the issuance. Additionally, Citigroup, JPMorgan, HSBC, Standard Chartered, Goldman Sachs International, First Abu Dhabi Bank, Emirates NBD, and National Bank of Kuwait acted as joint lead managers.
NBK Group's ambitious sustainability strategy is meticulously crafted on a robust four-pillar framework. Rooted in a profound commitment, this strategy spearheads the drive towards a sustainable economy while championing the cause of sustainable finance within the region. At the core of its strategy lies the pillar of "Responsible Banking," shaping the bank's trajectory towards achieving net-zero emissions. This fundamental principle drives the evolution of products, services, and financing solutions offered to customers, embodying NBK's unwavering dedication to sustainability and environmental stewardship.
NBK has achieved significant milestones on its ESG journey. By introducing its comprehensive Sustainable Financing Framework, NBK has elevated its commitment to driving sustainable initiatives. This framework now serves as a cornerstone incorporated throughout NBK's diverse business models, operational strategies, and corporate culture. Embracing a future of sustainability and fostering a transition toward a low-carbon economy, NBK’s progressive approach harmoniously aligns with Kuwait's vision of achieving carbon neutrality by 2060.
Looking ahead to 2030, the bank is steadfast in its commitment to cultivating a sustainable asset portfolio exceeding $10 billion. NBK has also set interim targets for its gross operational emissions (Scope 1 and Scope 2), targeting reduction of 25% by 2025.
Furthermore, NBK is committed to integrating ESG standards into its business activities and decisions and has taken significant steps towards this commitment by joining the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), the world's largest sustainability initiative for responsible business practices.
Setting new benchmarks in environmental accountability and as part of its carbon neutrality commitment, NBK has recently joined the Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financials (PCAF) initiative. This landmark move positions the Bank as the trailblazer from Kuwait and among just six banks within the MENA region to enlist alongside global financial giants. By participating in this initiative, the Bank commits to meticulously tracking and identifying the greenhouse gas emissions linked to its lending and investment activities, underscoring its dedication to transparent and responsible financial practices.
In a notable achievement, and for the second consecutive year, the bank has recently received a score of "C" from CDP for its Climate Change and Forests 2023 Categories.
Kuwait: NBK Posts Strong Net Profits of KD 575.6 Million in FY2025
28.01.2026National 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.