National Bank Group profits rise 16.2% to KD 54.19 million over 9 months

Talal Bahbahani: Achieving growth rates in financial indicators again is the result of the effectiveness of our strategy

Van der Toel: The results confirm the efficiency of our business model and our firm commitment to innovation, digital transformation, and sustainable investment

Al Ahli Kuwait Bank 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 KD 54.19 million, representing a growth rate of 16.2% compared to the first nine months of 2025.

The Group continued to enhance its profitability, with earnings per share growing by 18% to 17.6 fils. This improvement was supported by effective cost management and improved operational efficiency, with the cost-to-income ratio reaching 43.47%. At the same time, operating income rose by 7.51% to KD 177.50 million, while operating profits increased by 5.55% to KD 100.34 million. The loan and advance portfolio recorded KD 5.03 billion, reflecting a 5% growth, while total customer deposits reached KD 4.30 billion. Total assets amounted to KD 7.52 billion, up by 6.4%. The non-performing loan ratio continued to decline to 1.19%, while the provision coverage ratio reached 355%, reflecting the Group’s robust risk management framework. In this context, the Group maintained a strong capital position, with the capital adequacy ratio (CAR) at 17.25%, while shareholders’ equity increased by 6.6% to KD 700.27 million.

Risk Management Model

On this occasion, Talal Mohammad Reza Bahbahani, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Al Ahli Kuwait Bank Group, stated that the positive financial indicators recorded reflect the Group’s continued ability to successfully face various challenges, thanks to its conservative risk management model, which ensures the continuity of services and operational processes at the highest levels.

He considered that the success in achieving growth rates in financial indicators again is the result of the Group’s successful strategy, the execution of operational processes, and the ability to adapt to various transformations and turn challenges into promising opportunities. He pointed out that this is achieved through adopting a business model that combines prudence with keeping pace with developments, thereby consolidating the Group’s position as a trusted partner for all customer segments and stakeholders in the markets of the State of Kuwait, the Arab Republic of Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates.

He noted that the figures demonstrate the strength of the Group’s financial position, its high liquidity, capital buffers, and a strong capital base, which formed the cornerstone of achieving balanced growth and sustainable operational stability. He revealed the Group’s keenness to create added value for shareholders and customers and to meet their aspirations by offering innovative banking services and advanced financial solutions.

Bahbahani affirmed Al Ahli Kuwait Bank Group’s commitment to continuing a prudent policy that enhances asset quality and supports profit sustainability, while advancing digital transformation plans and innovating new financing solutions that contribute to supporting stakeholders’ efforts in the State of Kuwait to achieve the desired development under Kuwait Vision 2035.

Capital Increase

Bebhawi noted that the Kuwait Finance House (KFH) Group continues to work on strengthening its financial position, emphasizing its full readiness to seize diverse opportunities. The Extraordinary General Assembly approved in September an increase in 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 dinars, comprising 75 million dinars in par value and 75 million dinars in share premium.

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

He added that this measure provides the bank with long-term flexibility and strength to support its long-term strategy and 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.

Global Trust

Bebhawi 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 performance evaluation, regulatory indicators, and operations within the banking sector in the State of Kuwait.

He highlighted 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.

Bebhawi praised the Board of Directors, the executive management, and all employees for their efforts and contributions to achieving the success of the Kuwait Finance House Group’s plans and elevating its leading position in the banking sector. He commended 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.

Efficiency of the Model

For his part, the Chief Executive Officer of the Kuwait Finance House Group, Gilles Jan van der Toel, stated that the results of the first nine months of 2026 confirm the efficiency of the Group’s business model and its firm commitment to an approach based on innovation, digital transformation, and sustainable investment. He noted that growth represents the fruit 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 approach to risk management, maintaining the solidity of asset quality and the strength of 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.

Comprehensive Development

Van der Toel revealed the continuation of the plan to renovate Kuwait Finance House branches in various governorates of the State of Kuwait, with the latest being in the areas of Mansouria, Shuwaikh, and Farwaniya, under a policy of unifying the visual identity of the bank’s 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.

He clarified that the bank continues to develop its mobile application and to launch additional digital solutions for conducting various transactions around the clock.

Van der Tol emphasized that human capital is the key driver of the plans’ success, noting the bank’s ongoing investment in empowering employees, developing their skills, and enhancing their capacity for innovation. He highlighted numerous training programs that Kuwait National Bank continues to roll out, including specialized courses on credit analysis and artificial intelligence, among others. These initiatives aim to foster a work environment that encourages solution-oriented innovation and keeps pace with developments in the banking industry, thereby strengthening employee loyalty and cementing the bank’s position as one of the top employers in the local banking sector.

Sustainability and Social Responsibility

He noted that strong financial performance is consistently accompanied by a firm commitment to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) sustainability. He pointed to the issuance of the group’s annual sustainability report, as well as the enhancement of its corporate social responsibility program through the support and sponsorship of numerous sports, cultural, educational, health, environmental, and humanitarian events and activities. These efforts reflect the bank’s national and responsible role in achieving the desired local development.