Global Finance: Kuwait Finance House Named Best Islamic Bank in the World for 2026

Kuwait Finance House (KFH) was awarded seven prestigious honors by Global Finance magazine at the 19th edition of its Annual Islamic Finance Awards for 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),” 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 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-Sumait, Treasurer of Kuwait Finance House; Yousif Abdullah Al-Ruwais, Head of Public Relations and Media at the group; Avcu Oyan, CEO of Kuwait Finance House – Turkey; and Bassam Al-Ali, Executive Vice President of Treasury and Investment at Kuwait Finance House – Bahrain. The ceremony took place on the sidelines of the 2026 Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank 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 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 highlights the group’s success in cementing its commitment to executing a strategy aimed at achieving sustainable growth and 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 Kuwait Finance House – Bahrain), and “Best Islamic Bank in Turkey” (awarded to Kuwait Finance House – Turkey) underscore the excellence and outperformance of the group’s units in their respective markets, guided by a unified and flexible strategy tailored to each market’s characteristics.

Kuwait Finance House holds a leading position as a global economic entity operating through a network of branches in 10 countries. It boasts strong financial soundness 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 exceeding KD 15 million.

Regarding the “Best Islamic Bank for Corporate Banking in the World” award, it reflects 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.

Kuwait Finance House (KFH) continues to deliver exceptional performance in corporate banking, supported by strategic growth and entrenched leadership, alongside sustained innovation in Islamic financing solutions and leadership in several prominent financing deals that have reinforced its pivotal role in advancing economic development. Regarding the award for “Best Islamic Project Finance Provider in the World,” it underscores KFH’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 the oil and gas sector, infrastructure, urban development, services, and other vital sectors.

The bank offers integrated corporate banking services based on digital transformation and flexible financing 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, particularly following the launch of the enhanced version of electronic services and the mobile application. Additionally, the bank plays a strategic partner role in supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which have been launched with financing from the bank.

Yousef Abdullah Al-Ruwais, Head of Public Relations and Media at KFH Group, stated that the award for “Best Islamic Bank for Corporate Social Responsibility in the World for 2026” reflects the exceptional success of its efforts and confirms its clear footprint and leadership in the field of corporate social responsibility in 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-Ruwais clarified that winning the award for “Best Islamic Bank for Corporate Social Responsibility Worldwide” confirms the bank’s leadership and excellence in integrating corporate social responsibility 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 the implementation of best practices in environmental, social, and governance (ESG), and executing awareness and community initiatives with a sustainable impact aligned with development goals, solidifying its position as a model and leader in corporate social responsibility.

He affirmed that this recognition adds a new achievement to KFH’s record of accomplishments and serves as a motivation to continue developing community initiatives and strengthening purposeful partnerships, contributing to achieving sustainable value for society. Al-Ruwais noted that KFH continues to play a pioneering national role in supporting social infrastructure and enhancing community welfare and quality of life through strategic initiatives and substantial investments in the field of corporate social responsibility.

These long-term commitments reflect a sustainable approach that extends beyond the traditional concept of corporate social responsibility. 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 more than 61 million Kuwaiti dinars to settle various guarantor debts.

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

A contribution of 20 million Kuwaiti dinars to establish 15 ambulance centers. ? Contribution to the major share of the fund supporting government efforts during the coronavirus crisis, valued at 10 million dinars. ? Support for a sustainable environmental initiative to develop Al-Watan Square. ? Establishment and equipping of the tenth wing at the Addiction Treatment Center, continuing the bank’s initiative to create the center in 2005. ? Provision of $20 million to the Kuwait Red Crescent Society to support relief efforts for victims of the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria. ? Various cooperation programs with the Kuwait Red Crescent Society, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. ? Continuation of 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 confirmed Kuwait Finance House’s social leadership.

For his part, Joseph Di Giampietro, 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.” He added: “The Global Finance Annual Awards honor institutions that work to improve efficiency, attract new clients, and deliver the best services to their customers.”

Regarding Global Finance, it is worth noting that the New York-based magazine was founded in 1987, has a circulation of 50,000 copies, and is distributed in 185 countries worldwide. The magazine targets a select group of senior executives in companies and financial institutions who are responsible for making investment decisions and strategic planning. The magazine’s official website (GFMag.com) provides analyses and articles that distill 39 years of expertise in international financial markets.

Award Eligibility Criteria

Global Finance relies on a set of precise criteria when selecting winners for these awards, including: asset growth, profitability, geographic reach, strategic relationships, new business development, product innovation, institutional reputation, customer satisfaction levels, and opinions of analysts and specialists working in the sector. All selection processes were carried out by the Global Finance editorial team after extensive consultations with bankers, corporate finance executives, and analysts around the world, taking into account participation requests submitted by Islamic financial institutions.