43.96 billion dinars: Kuwaiti banks' managed assets in the first half

Assets managed by local banks (investments and assets managed on behalf of others) rose by approximately 10.3 percent year-on-year, amounting to KD 4.106 billion, to reach KD 43.967 billion in June, up from KD 39.861 billion in June 2025.

Data from the Central Bank of Kuwait showed that these assets increased by 0.57 percent, or KD 251 million, during the first six months of 2026, compared to KD 43.716 billion in December 2025. They also rose by 1.1 percent month-on-month, or KD 480.7 million, after standing at KD 43.486 billion in May.

Managed assets by banks cover 12 items. The equity and bond managed portfolios category surged by 71.1 percent year-on-year, or KD 597.2 million, to reach KD 1.436 billion, up from KD 839.3 million in June of the previous year. It also rose by 3.6 percent, or KD 50.6 million, from the beginning of 2026 compared to KD 1.385 billion in December.

Assets managed in a fiduciary capacity declined by 8.3 percent, or KD 645.8 million, to KD 7.098 billion in June, compared to KD 7.74 billion in December. However, they increased by 8.37 percent month-on-month, or approximately KD 548.8 million, compared to KD 6.55 billion in May. Year-on-year, they rose by 17.2 percent, or KD 1.04 billion, after standing at KD 6.057 billion in June 2025.

Total contingent liabilities arising from indirect financing operations decreased by 0.7 percent, or approximately KD 123.9 million, to KD 17.268 billion in June, compared to KD 17.392 billion in December. They increased by 9.6 percent year-on-year, or KD 1.511 billion, compared to KD 15.757 billion in June of the previous year.

Letters of credit declined by 10.2 percent, or KD 136 million, to KD 1.194 billion in June, down from KD 1.33 billion in December. They also fell by 10.2 percent, or KD 92.4 million, month-on-month. Meanwhile, guarantee letters recorded an increase of 4.4 percent, or KD 579.8 million, to KD 13.747 billion in June, up from KD 13.168 billion in December. They also rose by 11.4 percent, or KD 1.41 billion, year-on-year.

Bank acceptances fell by 8.57 percent, or KD 81.5 million, to KD 869.2 million in June, down from KD 950.7 million in December. However, they increased by 1.87 percent, or KD 16 million, year-on-year. Irrevocable commitments declined by 25 percent, or KD 486.1 million, to KD 1.4572 billion, down from KD 1.943 billion.

The other assets category decreased by 2.5 percent, or KD 17 million, to KD 653.5 million, down from KD 670.5 million in December. It also fell by 1 percent, or KD 6.4 million, month-on-month, compared to KD 647.1 million in May.

Local banks’ investments in financial derivatives witnessed a clear increase of 10.4 percent, or KD 1.648 billion, year-on-year, reaching KD 17.405 billion, up from KD 15.757 billion in June 2025. They also rose during the first six months of the current year, increasing by 6 percent, or KD 981.1 million, compared to KD 16.424 billion in December. They declined by 1.7 percent, or KD 303.6 million, month-on-month, compared to KD 17.709 billion in May.