Kuwait Finance House receives 'EDGE Advanced' certification

Kuwait Finance House (KFH) has received the EDGE Advanced certification for green buildings, becoming the first bank and the first facility in Kuwait to obtain this certification for its operational branches, a move that reflects its efforts to enhance sustainability and elevate environmental performance efficiency in its facilities in accordance with internationally recognized standards. The certification covers the Kifan and Shuwaikh branches, after they met the requirements of the EDGE (Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies) system, an internationally recognized green building standard developed by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group. The certificate was received by Mohammed Al-Arabid, Chief Executive Officer of Governance and Sustainability at KFH, and Yousef Al-Roumi, Senior Manager of Projects at KFH.

This achievement comes within the framework of KFH’s efforts to improve the environmental performance of its facilities through data-driven, independently verified solutions, which contribute to optimizing resource consumption and supporting the bank’s sustainability strategy. Furthermore, applying these standards to the branches reflects the bank’s commitment to integrating sustainable practices into its daily operations.

Commenting on this achievement, Meshal Al-Shaikh, Head of Compliance and Governance at the Group at KFH, stated, “The receipt of the EDGE Advanced certification by the Kifan and Shuwaikh branches represents an important step in translating the bank’s sustainability commitments into tangible, measurable results.” He added that this achievement embodies the bank’s dedication to improving its environmental performance in accordance with internationally recognized standards, based on independent evaluation and a clear approach to continuous improvement.

Al-Shaikh clarified that sustainability constitutes a fundamental aspect of KFH’s operational framework, linked to operational excellence, effective governance, and the consolidation of a culture of compliance and quality. He noted that applying these principles in existing branches enables the enhancement of resource efficiency while maintaining the level of service that customers expect, emphasizing the bank’s continued work to expand the scope of sustainable practices across its branch network.

He further explained that the EDGE Advanced certification provides a practical framework that can be leveraged to develop the environmental performance of the bank’s branches and facilities in Kuwait, thereby supporting the implementation of uniform standards for measuring resource efficiency across all KFH-owned buildings, rather than limiting sustainability efforts to isolated initiatives.

Al-Shaikh affirmed that this achievement enhances KFH’s standing in the field of responsible banking and sustainable practices, and contributes to supporting the trend toward developing a more resource-efficient built environment in Kuwait. Concluding his statement, he said, “At Kuwait Finance House, we believe that sustainability is a cornerstone for achieving responsible and inclusive economic growth. We are proud of our contribution to establishing advanced sustainability standards in the banking sector and supporting efforts aimed at building an environmentally friendly future in Kuwait.”

The accreditation process for the two branches involved a comprehensive evaluation conducted by an EDGE-certified expert, followed by independent audits and verification. The evaluation covered building specifications, mechanical and electrical systems, renovation and development works, as well as operational processes, to verify the environmental performance efficiency of the branches and measure the achieved results. After completing the review and verifying the results, Bureau Veritas officially issued the certificate, acting as the certification body appointed by the International Finance Corporation to issue EDGE certifications.