National Bank profits reach 54.19 million dinars in nine months

The Kuwait Finance House (KFH) Group announced its financial results for the first nine months of 2026, achieving growth in its key financial indicators, with net profit attributable to shareholders reaching 54.19 million Kuwaiti dinars, up 16.2 percent compared to the same period in 2025.

The Group continued to strengthen its profitability, with earnings per share growing by 18 percent to 17.6 fils. This improvement was supported by effective cost management and enhanced operational efficiency, bringing the cost-to-income ratio down to 43.47 percent.

Operating revenues rose by 7.51 percent to 177.5 million, while operating profits increased by 5.55 percent to 100.34 million. The loan and advance portfolio reached 5.03 billion, reflecting a 5 percent growth, and total customer deposits stood at 4.3 billion. Total assets amounted to 7.52 billion, representing a 6.4 percent increase.

The non-performing loan ratio continued to decline to 1.19 percent, while the provision coverage ratio reached 355 percent, reflecting the Group’s robust risk management framework and conservative underwriting approach. The Group maintained a strong capital position, with the Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) standing at approximately 17.25 percent, while shareholders’ equity grew by 6.6 percent to 700.27 million.

Commenting on the results, Talal Al-Bahbahani, Chairman of the Board of Directors of KFH Group, stated that the positive financial indicators reflect the Group’s continued ability to successfully navigate various challenges, thanks to its conservative risk management model, which ensures the continuity of services and operational processes at the highest standards.

He noted that the Group’s success in achieving growth rates in financial indicators again is a result of the successful implementation of its strategy, operational execution, and adaptation to various transformations, turning challenges into promising opportunities.

He emphasized that this is achieved through a business model that combines prudence with staying abreast of developments, thereby consolidating the Group’s position as a trusted partner for all customer segments and stakeholders in the markets of Kuwait, the Arab Republic of Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates.

He highlighted that the figures demonstrate the strength of the Group’s financial position, its high liquidity, strong capital buffers, and a solid capital base, which have been the cornerstone of achieving balanced growth and sustainable operational stability. He added that the Group remains committed to creating added value for shareholders and customers by meeting their expectations through innovative banking services and advanced financial solutions.

Al-Bahbahani reaffirmed KFH’s commitment to continuing a prudent policy that enhances asset quality and supports profit sustainability, while advancing its digital transformation plans and innovating new financing solutions to support stakeholders’ efforts in Kuwait to achieve the desired development under Kuwait Vision 2035.

He pointed out that KFH Group continues to work on strengthening its financial position, emphasizing its full readiness to seize diverse opportunities. He noted that the Extraordinary General Assembly granted approval in September to increase the authorized capital to 600 million Kuwaiti dinars, in addition to obtaining the required regulatory approvals in October to increase the bank’s issued and paid-up capital, with a total value of 150 million, distributed as 75 million par value and 75 million share premium.

This will be achieved through the issuance of 750 million shares at an offering price of 200 fils per share, comprising 100 fils par value plus 100 fils share premium, marking a fundamental milestone that supports the Group’s readiness to transition to a new stage of growth, expansion, and capability development.

He added that this measure provides the bank with long-term flexibility and strength to support its long-term strategy, and to prepare for increasing its capital base as the group’s business volume grows, thereby confirming its readiness during the preparation and implementation of its new five-year plan, and enabling it to respond to any future capital needs.

Al-Bahbahani stated that the group has continued to earn the trust of global institutions, as evidenced by maintaining a high credit rating of “A” from Fitch and “A2” from Moody’s, which confirms the solidity of its financial position and its ability to face various challenges and meet the requirements of stakeholders in evaluating performance, regulatory indicators, and operations within Kuwait’s banking sector.

He pointed out that the group has won additional global awards in recognition of its outstanding performance, revealing that it received four awards from Global Finance magazine and two awards from Global Brands magazine, along with other titles since the beginning of the year, honoring its excellence in digital services, call center operations, and governance.

Al-Bahbahani thanked the board of directors, executive management, and all employees for their efforts and contributions to achieving the success of Al Ahli Group’s plans and elevating its leading position in the banking sector. He praised the continuous support provided to the group by all regulatory authorities in Kuwait, Egypt, and the UAE, and their constant commitment to developing the banking sector.

For his part, the Chief Executive Officer of Al Ahli Group, Gilles Jean van der Toel, said: “The results for the first nine months of 2026 confirm the efficiency of the group’s business model and its firm commitment to its approach based on innovation, digital transformation, and sustainable investment. He noted that growth is the result of proper planning and meticulous implementation of initiatives across various departments, and the provision of innovative banking services to enhance customer experience and improve operational efficiency.”

He believed that these results were achieved due to a prudent risk management approach, maintaining the solidity of asset quality and financial buffers, applying the latest governance standards, and continuing innovation to deliver a banking model that anticipates customer expectations and ensures increasing returns for shareholders in the long term.

Van der Toel revealed the continuation of the plan to renovate Al Ahli branches in various governorates of Kuwait, with the latest in the Mansourya, Shuwaikh, and Farwaniya areas, under a policy of unifying the bank’s visual identity for its branches, and providing the latest devices, technologies, and banking systems. He explained that these efforts contribute to increasing the satisfaction of existing customers and attracting new segments to consolidate the bank’s leading competitive position.

He clarified that the bank continues to develop its mobile application and launch more digital solutions to carry out various transactions around the clock, according to the highest levels of security and reliability.

Van der Toel emphasized that the true driver of plan success is human capital, noting the continued investment in empowering employees, developing their skills, and enhancing their ability to innovate. He highlighted several training programs that Al Ahli continues to launch, including specialized programs in credit analysis and artificial intelligence, among others, and providing a work environment that encourages solution innovation and keeps pace with developments in the banking industry, thereby enhancing employee loyalty and cementing the bank’s position among the best employers in the local banking sector.

He emphasized the ongoing efforts to increase and consolidate the trust of all customer segments in Kuwait Finance House by continuing to launch modern solutions and exclusive offers across various sectors, aiming to meet their aspirations and attract them to choose the bank as their preferred option for consistently executing their financial and banking transactions.

Van der Toel noted that strong financial performance is always accompanied by a firm commitment to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) sustainability. He pointed to the issuance of the Group’s annual sustainability report, which was made available in Arabic for the first time on the bank’s website, as well as the enhancement of the corporate social responsibility program through the support and sponsorship of various sports, cultural, educational, health, environmental, and humanitarian events and activities, in line with the bank’s national role and responsibility in achieving the desired local development.

He also revealed the continuation of support for the “Let’s Be Aware” campaign, with the dissemination of its diverse awareness content across the bank’s various digital platforms and within its branches.