Al Ahli wins 37.1 million dinars in the first half, up 17%
The Kuwait Finance House (KFH) Group announced its strong financial results for the first half of 2026, achieving growth across its key financial indicators, with net profits reaching KD 37.1 million, representing a 17% increase compared to the first half of 2025.
These results reflect the Group’s continued execution of its strategic priorities, disciplined balance sheet management, and flexible business model, which enabled KFH to deliver robust growth and exceptional profitability despite rising geopolitical and economic uncertainty in the region.
This improvement was supported by disciplined cost management and a sustained focus on operational efficiency, resulting in a cost-to-income ratio of 43.1%, which outperformed both budgeted levels and those of the previous year.
Meanwhile, operating income rose by 10% to KD 119.22 million, while operating profits increased by 8% to KD 67.85 million.
Asset quality remained among the strongest in the sector, with the non-performing loans (NPL) ratio holding steady at a low of 1.25%, while the provision coverage ratio reached a strong level of 340%, reflecting the Group’s robust risk management framework and conservative underwriting approach.
In parallel, the Group maintained a strong capital position, with a Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) of 18.03%, while shareholders’ equity grew by 9.80% to KD 697.56 million.
Commenting on the results, Talal Mohammad Reza Bahbahani, Chairman of the Board of Directors of KFH Group, expressed his satisfaction with the financial performance in the first half of 2026, which clearly demonstrates the Group’s success in maintaining a sustainable growth trajectory and its high capacity to keep pace with rapid regional and global developments.
He added that KFH Group achieved balanced growth in its key financial indicators, driven by the expansion of its operational activities, a conservative risk management approach, and the maintenance of asset quality. He noted that the results embody the success of strategic plans and the Group’s ability to seize promising opportunities, thereby enhancing the added value delivered to shareholders and all stakeholders.
Bahbahani emphasized that continuous investment in comprehensive digital transformation and the adoption of artificial intelligence technologies in operations directly contributed to improved operational efficiency. He highlighted that the first half of the year saw the launch of several new solutions, including ChatGPT Enterprise, Microsoft Copilot, and Robotic Process Automation (RPA), as well as the delivery of exceptional customer experiences to meet diverse expectations and further develop solutions within the bank’s mobile app. This aligns with keeping pace with developments in the banking industry, boosting productivity, and enhancing the banking experience for various customer segments. He noted that the coming period will witness the introduction of additional services to strengthen the bank’s competitive position in the local market.
Bahbahani stated that the Group maintained its high credit rating of A from Fitch Ratings and A2 from Moody’s, underscoring the strength of its financial position and its ability to face various challenges and meet the requirements of stakeholders in evaluating performance, regulatory indicators, and operations within the banking sector in Kuwait.
The bank received numerous awards and recognitions for its excellence in providing digital services and its continuous development of its mobile application and banking solutions.
He expressed gratitude to the Board of Directors, the executive management, and all employees for their efforts and contributions to achieving the success of Al Ahli Bank of Kuwait Group’s plans and enhancing its leading position in the banking sector. He commended the continuous support provided to the Group by all regulatory authorities in Kuwait, Egypt, and the UAE, and their steadfast commitment to developing the banking sector.
For his part, Gil Jan van der Toel, Chief Executive Officer of Al Ahli Bank of Kuwait Group, stated that “the Group’s performance during the first half of 2026 reflects the successful execution of our strategic plans and highlights the strength and diversity of our business model. We achieved double-digit profit growth while enhancing returns and the capital base, maintaining excellent asset quality, and delivering results that exceeded our internal targets despite the challenging regional operating environment.”
He added, “We continued to achieve growth rates in key financial indicators, driven by strong operational performance and sustained customer confidence. We persisted in implementing our digital transformation vision by strengthening our technological infrastructure and launching innovative, instant payment solutions that meet our customers’ aspirations and provide them with a seamless and secure banking experience.”
He noted that the first half of 2026 saw the return of the Al Fawz Account prize draws, with deferred draws conducted to announce winners of various cash prizes. Additionally, the account was relaunched with a completely new design, its draw structure was developed, a new semi-annual draw was added, and prize values were increased. This reflects Al Ahli Bank of Kuwait’s commitment to enhancing customer trust and satisfaction, encouraging savings, and attracting customers to choose it as their preferred banking option in Kuwait.
Van der Toel pointed out that the bank launched ABK Build during the first half of 2026, the first platform of its kind in the local market, offering housing facilities to customers planning to build. The platform provides them with the opportunity to receive discounts, guidance, and assistance from the initial planning stage through to implementation, in collaboration with partners across various sectors, adhering to the highest market standards.
He emphasized that the bank is keen on embedding environmental, social, and governance (ESG) sustainability concepts and adopting them as an integral part of its daily operations. This is evident in the issuance of the sixth annual Sustainability Report, which confirms the adoption of the highest standards in this regard and demonstrates progress across the Group’s various operational processes.
Van der Toel stated that Al Ahli Bank of Kuwait – UAE successfully obtained a license from the Abu Dhabi Real Estate Center as a trustee agent for real estate guarantee services, becoming the first Kuwaiti and Gulf bank to offer this service to customers in Abu Dhabi. This achievement reflects the significant trust and distinguished position the bank has attained in the UAE market.
He noted that Al Ahli Bank of Kuwait – Egypt continued to strengthen its branch network by opening a new branch inside East Hub Mall in the Madinaty project in eastern Cairo, as part of its ambitious plans to enhance its geographical footprint and expand banking services across various Egyptian governorates.
He concluded, “The Group continues to leverage its diverse regional presence, with both Egypt and the UAE contributing positively to profit growth and supporting the Group’s ability to deliver sustainable returns across different economic cycles and markets.”
