Kuwait Finance House: 'Bank of the Year at the Level of Islamic Banks'

Kuwait Finance House (KFH) won the “Bank of the Year for Islamic Banks in the Middle East and North Africa 2026” award as part of the Corporate and Investment Banking Excellence Awards organized by MEED magazine, an achievement that underscores the bank’s leading regional and global position across various banking sectors, its pioneering role in the Islamic finance industry, and its success in delivering innovative banking solutions and a comprehensive banking experience to its clients. The award reflects KFH’s success in continuing to develop an integrated business model that combines deep banking expertise with continuous innovation in products, services, and financial solutions, meeting the needs of diverse customer segments and supporting companies and institutions in executing their financing and investment plans efficiently and flexibly.

KFH was honored with the award at a ceremony held in Dubai, coinciding with Dubai Future Finance Week, with participation from a select group of financial and banking sector leaders, decision-makers, and experts from across the region. The award was presented by Abdullah Al-Saif, Executive Director of the Public Relations and Social Media Center at Kuwait Finance House.

This recognition honors KFH’s pioneering journey in consolidating the status of Islamic banking and enhancing its role in financing economic and investment activities, through specialized banking and financing solutions that keep pace with market developments and meet the needs of corporate and institutional investors as well as customer aspirations. The selection of Kuwait Finance House as “Bank of the Year for Islamic Banks in the Middle East and North Africa” for 2026 reflects its position as one of the world’s largest Islamic financial institutions, characterized by strong financial soundness and outstanding operational performance. This was reflected in achieving the highest profits in the banking sector and the Kuwaiti market, with the bank reporting net profit attributable to shareholders of KD 523.4 million through the end of the third quarter of 2026, representing a 6.2% growth compared to the same period last year. Net operating income also rose to KD 1,004.7 million through the end of Q3 2026, recording an 11.7% growth. Additionally, the bank successfully implemented its strategy aimed at accelerating the pace of digital transformation, developing innovative banking products and services that enhance the customer experience and strengthen its competitiveness in the markets, while continuing to achieve sustainable growth.

Kuwait Finance House continues to strengthen its local, regional, and global presence, leveraging its accumulated expertise and extensive geographic reach through a network comprising more than 600 branches in approximately 10 countries worldwide. It also possesses advanced capabilities in structuring financing solutions, building partnerships, managing customer relationships, and providing banking and investment services tailored to the nature of businesses and their expansion plans.

The award highlights KFH’s pivotal role as a strategic partner in supporting development projects and contributing to the realization of Kuwait’s Vision 2035, by providing innovative and diverse financing solutions that meet the needs of major strategic projects and contribute to driving sustainable and comprehensive economic development, reflecting the bank’s commitment to supporting investment and enhancing the corporate banking sector.

Participating entities in the 2026 Middle East and North Africa Banking Excellence Awards are evaluated according to precise and transparent criteria by an independent jury panel comprising a select group of senior experts and specialists in the banking sector. The committee reviews and evaluates all submissions before finalizing the results and selecting the winners.

The evaluation criteria are based on measurable financial results, financial strength, innovation, compliance with Islamic Sharia principles, leadership in Islamic finance and sukuk issuance, development of investment products, and the provision of high-quality advisory and financing solutions for corporate and investment clients. MEED magazine was founded in 1957 and is one of the leading specialized media platforms for economic analysis and the business sector in the Middle East. In collaboration with GlobalData Financial Services, the magazine presents the Middle East and North Africa Banking Excellence Awards to institutions that achieve outstanding accomplishments in the banking and financial services sector, with a focus on innovation, service quality, and excellence in customer experience.