Kuwait Finance House wins 'Best Islamic Bank in the World' award for 2026

Kuwait Finance House (KFH) Group was awarded seven prestigious honors by Global Finance magazine at the 19th edition of its annual awards for the World’s Best Islamic Financial Institutions 2026, reaffirming the Group’s leadership and unique standing in the global Islamic finance sector.

The awards are:

- Best Islamic Bank in the World

- Best Islamic Bank for Corporate Banking in the World

- Best Islamic Bank for Social Responsibility in the World

- Best Provider of Islamic Project Finance in the World

- Best Islamic Bank in Kuwait

- Best Islamic Bank in Bahrain (Kuwait Finance House – Bahrain)

- Best Islamic Bank in Turkey (Kuwait Finance House – Turkey)

These accolades are the result of a clear strategy centered on AI-driven digital transformation, enhanced Group-wide integration, and a strong customer focus. They also serve as a catalyst for continued success and for strengthening the institution’s pioneering role in the global Islamic finance industry.

The awards were accepted by Ahmed Al-Samit, Head of Treasury – Kuwait at KFH; Yousif Abdullah Al-Ruwais, Head of Public Relations and Media at KFH; Avcu Oyan, CEO of Kuwait Finance House – Turkey; and Bassam Al-Ali, Executive Vice President – Treasury and Investment at KFH – Bahrain. The ceremony took place on the sidelines of the 2026 Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group in Bangkok, Thailand.

This recognition reflects KFH’s sustained efforts to strengthen sustainability, governance, and digital innovation principles, alongside delivering strong financial performance and balanced, sustainable growth across its operating markets.

The “Best Islamic Financial Institution in the World” award for 2026 honors KFH’s leadership in Islamic banking and its distinction in offering innovative, Sharia-compliant financial products and services. It also reflects the Group’s success in reinforcing its commitment to executing a strategy aimed at sustainable growth, its ability to adapt to various economic changes and operational challenges in its markets, and its progress toward the goal of joining the list of the world’s top 100 banks.

The awards for “Best Islamic Bank in Kuwait,” “Best Islamic Bank in Bahrain” (awarded to KFH – Bahrain), and “Best Islamic Bank in Turkey” (awarded to KFH – Turkey) underscore the excellence and competitiveness of the Group’s units in their respective markets, guided by a unified and flexible strategy tailored to each market’s characteristics.

KFH holds a leading position as a global economic entity operating through a network of branches in 10 countries. It boasts strong financial solvency and competitive performance, reflected in achieving the highest profits in the banking sector and the Kuwaiti market, as well as topping all Kuwaiti private-sector banks and companies in market capitalization, which reached a record high by surpassing the 15 billion Kuwaiti dinar threshold.

Regarding the award for “Best Islamic Bank for Corporate Banking in the World,” it reflects the growing global confidence in Kuwait Finance House’s capabilities and its distinction in building long-term strategic partnerships with its corporate clients, providing advanced financial solutions that support their business expansion and enhance their competitiveness in local and international markets. Kuwait Finance House continues to achieve exceptional performance in corporate banking, driven by strategic growth and established leadership, alongside sustained innovation in Islamic financing solutions and leadership in several prominent financing transactions that have contributed to strengthening its pivotal role in supporting economic development.

With regard to the award for “Best Provider of Islamic Project Finance in the World,” it underscores Kuwait Finance House’s leading role in financing major projects and its significant contributions to financing diverse strategic sectors in Kuwait and the region. The bank is a key partner in providing financing for projects in the oil and gas, infrastructure, urban development, services, and other vital sectors.

The bank offers integrated corporate banking services based on digital transformation and financial flexibility that meet the needs of various economic sectors and contribute to supporting sustainable development, while delivering an exceptional banking experience to corporate clients through the eCorp digital platform, which has seen notable adoption rates, especially following the launch of the enhanced version of its electronic services and its mobile application. Additionally, the bank plays a strategic role in supporting small and medium-sized enterprises, which have been launched with financing from the bank.

Yousef Al-Ruwaih, Head of Public and Media Relations at Kuwait Finance House Group, noted that the “Best Islamic Bank for Corporate Banking in the World 2026” award “reflects the success of its exceptional efforts and confirms its clear footprint and leadership in corporate banking in the markets and countries where it operates. It embodies its vision of corporate banking as a strategic pillar in its business model, which reinforces its position as a leading financial institution that combines economic growth with sustainable community impact.”

Al-Ruwaih clarified that winning the “Best Islamic Bank for Corporate Banking in the World” award confirms the bank’s leadership and distinction in integrating corporate banking into its business model through impactful initiatives in community development, support for education and health, youth empowerment, entrepreneurship, environmental conservation, women’s empowerment, supporting digital skills among children and youth, volunteer work, as well as implementing best practices in environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG), and executing awareness and community initiatives with a sustainable impact aligned with development goals, thereby solidifying its position as a model and leader in corporate banking.

Al-Ruwaih emphasized that this recognition adds a new achievement to Kuwait Finance House’s record of accomplishments and serves as an impetus to continue developing community initiatives and strengthening purposeful partnerships, contributing to achieving sustainable value for society.

Among the most prominent strategic social initiatives are:

- Supporting the “Kuwait Emergency Response Fund” through a financial contribution of $13 million, as well as an additional contribution of $6 million to repair damaged power stations.

- Contributing over KWD 61 million to settle various guarantors’ debts.

- Contributing to the reconstruction of the damaged area in Souq Al-Mubarakiya, valued at approximately KWD 8 million.

- Contributing KWD 20 million to establish 15 ambulance centers.

Contributing the largest share to the fund supporting government efforts during the coronavirus crisis, valued at 10 million Kuwaiti dinars. Supporting a sustainable environmental initiative to develop Al-Wataniya Square. Establishing and equipping the tenth wing of the Addiction Treatment Center, completing the bank’s initiative to establish the center in 2005. Donating $20 million to the Kuwait Red Crescent Society to support relief efforts for earthquake victims in Turkey and Syria. Various cooperation programs with the Kuwait Red Crescent Society, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Continuing its leading role in providing community contributions to the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences, the National Employment Support Program, the Banking Institute, and other various community initiatives that have affirmed Kuwait Finance House’s social leadership. For his part, Joseph Di Giarrabuto, founder and editor-in-chief of Global Finance magazine, said: As Islamic finance continues its rapid growth, leading institutions are focusing on digital transformation, product innovation, and expansion of banking services.