Al-Watani Wins Five Prestigious Awards from Euromoney

In a new achievement that reinforces its leading position and continuous superiority at both the local and regional levels, National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) won five prestigious awards from Euromoney, the world’s leading finance and business magazine, as part of the 2026 Excellence Awards. The accolades recognize the bank’s exceptional performance across various aspects of banking operations and its active role in supporting sustainability and corporate social responsibility initiatives.

NBK secured the following awards:

- Best Bank in Kuwait

- Best Bank in the Middle East for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

- Best Retail Bank in Kuwait

- Best Large Corporate Bank in Kuwait

- Best Bank in Kuwait for Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG)

The Euromoney Excellence Awards are granted using a rigorous, data-driven methodology. Participating institutions undergo a comprehensive evaluation process that analyzes financial performance and achieved results, measures innovation in products and services, assesses their impact on customers, and compares institutional performance against peers in the market based on comparable indicators and standards.

The evaluation process also includes in-depth research reviews, analysis of submitted data, and follow-up interviews with executive leadership to verify results and understand strategic directions.

Best Bank in Kuwait

Winning the “Best Bank in Kuwait” award demonstrates the bank’s success in solidifying a balanced business model that combines strong performance, operational flexibility, and the ability to adapt to economic changes. NBK has consistently executed its long-term strategy, leveraging its diversified business lines and accumulated expertise to continue delivering sustainable value to its clients and shareholders while maintaining its leading position in the Kuwaiti banking market.

Continuous investments in technology and human resources have further enhanced the bank’s capacity to keep pace with rapid transformations in the financial sector. NBK has continued to develop its services and products, expanding its digital solutions to improve operational efficiency and enhance customer experience. This approach underscores its commitment to innovation and providing advanced banking services that respond to evolving customer needs and align with future requirements.

This recognition also honors NBK’s success in integrating sustainability principles into various aspects of its operations, through strengthening sustainable finance, developing institutional frameworks related to governance and risk management, and embedding responsible practices that support long-term growth. At the same time, the bank has continued to implement its vision, which places customers at the heart of its strategy and balances technological advancement with sustainability, thereby reinforcing its position as a leading financial institution that contributes to economic development and creates long-term sustainable value.

The bank has further strengthened its position by adopting advanced practices in transparency, disclosure, and engagement with the investment community. It is committed to providing accurate and timely information, and to developing effective communication channels with investors and analysts, thereby helping to consolidate trust and reinforce adherence to global best practices in governance and disclosure. This underscores its focus on building sustainable relationships with all stakeholders.

An Integrated Corporate Social Responsibility Framework

The bank’s win of the “Best Bank in the Middle East for Corporate Social Responsibility” award reflects its success in developing an integrated CSR model. Al Ahli Bank has moved beyond implementing traditional initiatives to making long-term investments in measurable community programs aligned with national development priorities.

This model is built on aligning its programs with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles, applying the highest standards of governance and transparency, and focusing on achieving tangible behavioral and developmental outcomes that go beyond mere participation in activities. This approach reinforces its standing as a financial institution leading the transformation in the concept of corporate social responsibility across the banking sector.

The magazine’s evaluation for this award was based on several factors, including the bank’s CSR strategy, governance model, level of innovation, progress in social investments, measurement of the actual impact and economic value generated by these initiatives, and the bank’s ability to develop its institutional capabilities in this field.

A number of flagship programs have emerged as key drivers of this ecosystem, led by the “Bankee” initiative to enhance financial literacy in schools. This program successfully reached more than 50,000 students across over 104 schools in various regions of Kuwait, with active participation from more than 12,000 teachers. Backed by an investment exceeding one million Kuwaiti dinars, the program’s broad reach and deep impact underscore its role in empowering educational staff and strengthening their capacity to convey financial literacy concepts using modern, interactive methods.

Other community initiatives by the bank have further amplified this impact. The NBK Run event attracted widespread participation, with over 7,000 runners from diverse age groups, reflecting a comprehensive model that supports the inclusion of all societal segments, including people of determination. More than 94% of participants reported their intention to adopt a healthier lifestyle. Seasonal programs, such as “Do Good in the Month of Good” during Ramadan, benefited over 6,800 individuals and included food distribution, road safety initiatives, efforts to reduce food waste, alongside the promotion of cultural activities and community engagement. Through these initiatives, National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) has demonstrated its ability to build an integrated corporate social responsibility framework that delivers sustainable economic and social value, contributing to long-term community development.

Best Bank for Retail Customers

In the realm of retail banking services, the bank has launched several innovative products to meet evolving customer needs. It has offered exclusive experiences through strategic partnerships with global brands, such as The Bestor Collection, a luxury retail group, co-branded credit cards with Harrods, and a prepaid card in collaboration with Al Shaya Group.

The bank has continued to invest in upgrading its digital banking services and expanding the range of digital solutions that enable customers to conduct transactions with ease and efficiency. NBK consistently diversifies and tailors its offerings to suit the needs of various customer segments by integrating banking products with added-value benefits and services, thereby supporting daily usage and strengthening customer loyalty to the bank’s services.

Best Bank in Kuwait for Large Corporates

NBK has reinforced its established position as a trusted financial partner for large corporations, thanks to its ability to deliver added value to clients and provide innovative solutions that support their expansion and business sustainability. The “Best Bank in Kuwait for Large Corporates” award reflects the bank’s outstanding performance and its capacity to offer comprehensive banking solutions that meet the evolving needs of major corporations. NBK distinguished itself by providing innovative financing services and developing advanced digital products that enhanced the customer experience and attracted a wide range of leading companies.

The bank also played a pivotal role in financing major strategic projects in Kuwait, actively contributing to economic growth and the implementation of national development plans. This excellence is underpinned by a broad network of relationships and deep expertise in structuring deals and managing corporate financing.

Best Bank in Kuwait for Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG)

The award for “Best Bank in Kuwait for Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG)” underscores National Bank of Kuwait’s commitment to adopting an integrated sustainability approach that combines strong financial performance with corporate responsibility. The criteria for this category are based on an assessment of tangible initiatives undertaken by financial institutions to develop and deliver products and services that address environmental and social considerations, implement effective governance policies, strengthen institutional capacity in sustainability, and make progress in financing sustainable projects and reducing their carbon footprint in line with international standards.

The bank distinguished itself by embedding ESG principles into its business model, alongside developing landmark initiatives in sustainable finance, reducing environmental impact, promoting diversity and inclusion, and upholding the highest governance standards. This was supported by a high level of disclosure and the provision of measurable data on performance and sustainability, thereby enhancing investors’ ability to assess the robustness of the bank’s business model and its future prospects.

Sustainability forms a central pillar in guiding the bank’s strategic decisions, from capital allocation and risk management to business development and strengthening institutional resilience. This is achieved through four key pillars: governance for resilience, responsible banking, leveraging our capabilities, and investing in our communities.

The bank has translated this direction into tangible results by expanding its sustainable finance portfolio and integrating ESG criteria into its lending and investment activities, alongside strengthening governance and developing human capital. These efforts have been reflected in improved ratings from global rating agencies, further cementing its position as a leading institution in sustainable finance.