Global Finance: Al-Khair Financing Named Best Islamic Bank in the World

Kuwait Finance House (KFH) was awarded seven prestigious honors by Global Finance magazine at the 19th edition of its Annual Islamic Finance Awards 2026, reaffirming the group’s leadership and unique standing in the global Islamic finance sector.

The awards include: Best Islamic Bank in the World, Best Islamic Bank for Corporate Banking in the World, Best Islamic Bank for Corporate 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), and 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 motivation to continue achieving further successes and strengthening the institution’s pioneering role in the global Islamic finance industry.

The awards were presented to Ahmed Al-Samit, Treasurer of KFH Kuwait; Yousef Al-Ruwaihi, Head of Public Relations and Media at KFH Group; Avcu Oyan, CEO of KFH Turkey; and Bassam Al-Ali, Executive Vice President of Treasury and Investment at KFH Bahrain, during the awards ceremony held on the sidelines of the 2026 Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank in Bangkok, Thailand.

This recognition stems from the bank’s continuous efforts to strengthen sustainability, governance, and digital innovation principles, alongside delivering strong financial performance and balanced, sustainable growth across its various markets.

The “Best Islamic Financial Institution in the World” award for 2026 acknowledges KFH’s leadership in Islamic banking and its distinction in offering innovative, Sharia-compliant financial services and products. It also reflects the group’s success in solidifying its commitment to executing a strategy aimed at sustainable growth, adapting to diverse economic changes and operational challenges across markets, thereby paving the way toward its 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 superiority of the group’s units in their respective markets, guided by a unified and flexible strategy tailored to the nature of each market.

KFH holds a leading position as a global economic entity operating through a network of branches in 10 countries, boasting strong financial solvency and competitive performance that has resulted in the highest profits in the banking sector and the Kuwaiti market. It also leads all Kuwaiti private sector banks and companies in market capitalization, which reached a record high, surpassing the 15 million KD threshold.

Regarding the “Best Islamic Bank for Corporate Banking in the World” award, it reflects the growing global confidence in KFH’s capabilities and its distinction in building long-term strategic partnerships with corporate clients, providing advanced financial solutions that support business expansion and enhance competitiveness in local and international markets.

The bank continues to deliver exceptional performance in corporate banking, supported by strategic growth and established leadership, alongside sustained innovation in Islamic financing solutions and leadership in several prominent financing deals that have reinforced its pivotal role in supporting the country’s economic development journey.

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

Yousef Al-Ruwaih, Head of Public Relations and Media at Bait Almal, noted that the “Best Islamic Bank for Corporate Social Responsibility in the World 2026” award reflects the exceptional success of its efforts and confirms its clear footprint and leadership in corporate social responsibility within the markets and countries where it operates. It embodies its vision of corporate social responsibility as a strategic pillar in its business model, thereby reinforcing its position as a leading financial institution that combines economic growth with sustainable social impact.

Al-Ruwaih stated that the bank continues to play a pioneering national role in supporting social infrastructure and enhancing community well-being and quality of life through strategic initiatives and substantial investments in corporate social responsibility. These long-term commitments reflect a sustainable approach that extends beyond the traditional concept of corporate social responsibility. Among the key strategic social initiatives are:

- Establishing and equipping the tenth wing of the Addiction Treatment Center, completing the bank’s initiative to establish the center in 2005.

For his part, Joseph Di Giambattista, Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Global Finance, said: “As Islamic finance continues its rapid growth, leading institutions are focusing on digital transformation, product innovation, and expansion of banking services.”