NBK's strong operational performance continues with robust profits: Al-Sager
KUWAIT: Isam Al-Sager, Vice Chairman and Group Chief Executive Officer of National Bank of Kuwait (NBK), stated that the Bank reported a net profit of KD 315.3 million for the first half of 2025, marking a 7.8 percent increase from KD 292.4 million in the corresponding period of 2024.
Speaking on the sidelines of the analysts' conference call for the first-half 2025 results, Al-Sager highlighted that profit before tax surged by 17.0 percent year-on-year, reaching KD 401.5 million in the first six months of the year. He explained that the new tax regime weighed on profitability, with the effective tax rate rising to 16.0 percent in the first half of 2025, up from 9.2 percent in the first half of 2024.
Al-Sager added that the Bank's pre-tax profit was further supported by the release of provisions for credit and impairment losses amounting to KD 10 million, compared to a charge of KD 43 million in the six-month period ended June 30, 2024.
'Our returns remained robust, with Return on Average Assets reaching (ROAA) 1.52 percent and Return on Average Equity (ROAE) standing at 15.1 percent for the period', Al-Sager said. He explained that the Bank is confident in its ability to adapt and maintain its leadership in the local market, highlighting its readiness to navigate economic headwinds and emerge even stronger, supported by its resilience, continued investment in technology and innovation, and steadfast commitment to meeting the evolving needs of its customers.
Isam Al-Sager, Vice Chairman and Group Chief Executive Officer
Dividend distribution policy
Regarding the dividend distribution policy, Al-Sager stated that NBK's approach remains unchanged, maintaining a sustainable framework that strikes a balance between delivering attractive shareholder returns and prudently managing capital ratios. He added that the Bank continues to prioritize effective capital planning to ensure capital levels align with its future growth ambitions, an approach it has consistently upheld and will continue to follow going forward.
Al-Sager stressed that the Bank remains committed to its approved dividend policy, noting that in light of the strong growth in its loan portfolio both locally and internationally, the Bank has opted to retain interim profits until year-end, with a focus on year-end final dividend distribution. This approach provides greater flexibility to capitalize on growth opportunities as they emerge throughout the year, in alignment with the Bank's strategic priorities.
He pointed out that NBK's regional and international presence plays a vital role in mitigating risks, sustaining stable returns, and enhancing operational efficiency. Furthermore, he added that the Bank remains focused on leveraging cross-selling opportunities across its diverse geographical footprint. At the same time, its wealth management arm will continue to capitalize on deep expertise to deliver a comprehensive suite of portfolio management, advisory services, and investment solutions. Meanwhile, the Bank's Islamic banking services will further strengthen their local footprint while diversifying sources of profitability.
Projects market momentum
Al-Sager emphasized that following a strong year of project market activity in 2024, particularly in the second half of the year, the pace of activity moderated slightly during the first half of 2025.
He noted that this moderation largely reflects a normalization from the elevated levels seen last year. Nonetheless, the outlook remains encouraging, supported by a pipeline of ongoing projects valued at KD 10 billion, signaling the government's continued commitment to advancing its development and reform agenda. Al-Sager affirmed the Bank's ongoing commitment to sustainability and the advancement of its sustainable finance agenda, highlighting the recent publication of its first Green Bond Allocation and Impact Report, as well as its inaugural TCFD Report. These disclosures underscore NBK's efforts to enhance transparency and accountability in its ESG and sustainable finance strategy. They also reflect the Bank's significant progress in integrating climate considerations across its operations, with a strong emphasis on portfolio diversification and climate risk management.
Meanwhile, Sujit Ronghe, Group Chief Financial Officer at NBK, stated that the Group continues to demonstrate strong operational momentum, driven by robust growth in business volumes, most notably across the loan and investment portfolios. He added that the Group continues to benefit from the strength of its loan portfolio, which demonstrates high asset quality and a well-considered diversification of growth sources. Ronghe explained that key business segments made strong contributions to net profit in the first half of 2025, highlighting their effectiveness as core pillars of the Group's diversification strategy and their role in reinforcing profit resilience.
He stressed that NBK Group continues to leverage its unique competitive advantages among Kuwaiti banks, particularly its broad geographic footprint and its ability to operate across both conventional and Islamic banking. Amid growing concerns over the impact of the ongoing tariff war and its implications for the global business landscape, Ronghe explained that NBK remains well-positioned to navigate this volatile environment, a testament to the strength and resilience of its diversified business model.
Regarding the catalysts for loan growth during the first half of 2025, Ronghe stated that corporate credit was the primary driver, emphasizing that demand was not concentrated in any single geographic area. Instead, it was well distributed across NBK's network, including the GCC region, international markets, and Boubyan Bank.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Kuwait Times
5 hours ago
- Kuwait Times
KFH reports KD 342.1m in net profit for bank's shareholders for H1 2025
Net operating income grew 7.9% * Net financing income grew 8.7% * Total assets increased to KD 38.5bn KUWAIT: Chairman of Kuwait Finance House (KFH) Hamad Abdulmohsen Al-Marzouq announced that KFH achieved a net profit of KD 342.1 million for the first half of 2025 for the bank's shareholders. Earnings per share for the first half of 2025 reached 19.23 fils. Net financing income for the first half of the year reached KD 607.3 million; an increase of 8.7 percent compared to the same period last year. Total operating income for the first half of 2025 increased, supported by the increase in all core activities to reach KD 876 million; an increase of 6.4 percent compared to the same period last year. This growth is particularly notable given that the comparative income for 2024 included profits of KD 70.1 million from the sale of KFH-Bahrain during Q2 2024. Net operating income for the first half of the year reached KD 566.7 million; an increase of 7.9 percent compared to the same period last year. The cost-to-income ratio for H1-25 improved to 35.3 percent compared to 36.2 percent for the same period last year. Financing receivables at the end of the first half of 2025 reached KD 20.4 billion, an increase of 7.1 percent compared to the end of last year. Total assets at the end of the first half of 2025 amounted to KD 38.5 billion, an increase of 4.9 percent compared to the end of last year. Shareholders' equity for the same period amounted to about KD 5.6 billion, an increase of 0.8 percent compared to the end of last year. Depositors' accounts for the first half of 2025 amounted to KD 19.7 billion, an increase of 2.7 percent compared to the end of last year. In addition, the capital adequacy ratio reached 18.01 percent which is above the limit required by regulators. This ratio confirms the solid capital base of KFH. The Board of Directors has agreed to distribute a semi-annual cash dividend of 10 fils per share. Outstanding performance In a press release, Al-Marzouq said that KFH continues to lead the banking sector and the Kuwaiti market in profitability. This remarkable achievement comes despite the challenging operating environment and geopolitical shifts in the region, which have brought uncertainty to the economic landscape. He emphasized that KFH's success stems from precisely implemented plans that ensure sustainable profits and maintain KFH's solid financial position and robust performance. Al-Marzouq also highlighted the strength of KFH's financial statements for the first half of this year, which showcase a strong capital base, good liquidity ratios, and exceptional operational performance. These factors have collectively driven sustainable growth across all key financial indicators. Operational efficiency Al-Marzouq emphasized that KFH continues to boost its operational efficiency, increase revenues, and optimally use its capabilities in line with global standards. This approach will improve asset quality, enhance risk management, and help the bank rationalize expenses, especially as it navigates the current global financial landscape and the competitive financial services industry. Coordination and integration He added that KFH is working to achieve great ambitions by maximizing the effectiveness of the Group's banks and fostering seamless coordination and integration among. This approach guarantees increased revenues and improved performance, while also leveraging the unique potential and advantages of each market. New chapter Al-Mazrouq said that KFH successfully launched the new visual identity for Ahli United Bank - Bahrain, rebranding it as Kuwait Finance House – Bahrain. This move complements a series of achievements realized under the new brand slogan, 'Beyond Horizons'. He explained that this series began in Kuwait, subsequently extending to the United Kingdom and the Arab Republic of Egypt. 'This initiative is part of KFH's strategy for expansion and global leadership as an Islamic banking group.' He emphasized that the new brand launch reflects a shift in vision and concept, marking the beginning of a new chapter of integration and excellence in banking services. Financing and development Al-Marzouq highlighted KFH's continued dedication and ability to fund large-scale projects in all sectors, including production, service, commercial and development. By offering a diverse range of financing services and solutions, KFH actively supports the government's comprehensive development plans. He highlighted the bank's strengths, which position it as one of the most trusted and preferred institutions for corporate financing. KFH also enjoys a substantial market share in financing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) within Kuwait's banking sector. Furthermore, the bank is keen to fund numerous large-scale projects, utilizing flexible and efficient Sharia-compliant financing structures. This has established KFH as the preferred partner and lead arranger for many major joint financing deals. Training and promotion Al-Marzouq said that KFH is steadfast in its commitment to nurturing national talent and developing future leaders. Through ongoing training and development programs, partnered with local institutions, universities, and international centers, the bank aims for peak operational efficiency and productivity. This dedication recently saw several national employees advance to senior leadership roles across various departments. CSR & sustainability Al-Marzouq noted that KFH's social impact grew significantly last year, thanks to its involvement in many key strategic social initiatives. These efforts highlight the crucial role KFH plays in society, alongside its leading position in the economic, developmental and banking sectors. He highlighted how KFH has created a pioneering and role model for embedding sustainability principles across its entire group. 'KFH has seen remarkable success in green financing and implementing a comprehensive sustainability strategy that's central to its mission and vision. The bank is further strengthening its commitment by adopting integrated, comprehensive, and balanced practices in the key areas of sustainability: environmental, social and governance (ESG).' Al-Marzouq explained that KFH was the first entity to start publishing impact measurement reports, and it annually releases both a Sustainability Report and a Carbon Footprint Report. KFH has been awarded an 'A' rating by MSCI. Additionally, KFH has been included in the FTSE4Good Index Series for its exemplary performance in environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices. Khaled Yousef Al-Shamlan KFH Group CEO Sound financial indicators Meanwhile, KFH Group CEO Khaled Yousef Al-Shamlan said that the bank's H1 2025 profits confirms its robust operational performance and leading position in the Kuwaiti banking sector. He noted that the financial performance for this period reflects prudent strategies and effective policies that consistently yield sustainable profits, solid financial position, asset quality, and good indicators for operating income, cost to income ratios as well as liquidity ratios and capital adequacy. Global leadership Al-Shamlan said that 'KFH ranked first as the best-performing bank in Kuwait, according to The Banker magazine's 2025 ranking of the top 1,000 global banks. KFH has maintained its position as Kuwait's largest listed company, in Forbes' Global 2000 list for the largest public companies in the world, reinforcing its standing using four metrics, revenues, profits, assets and market value.' He pointed out that KFH has won numerous international awards, including 'The Middle East's Best Islamic Bank' and 'Kuwait's Best Bank' from Euromoney. KFH was also named 'Best Bank for Financial Institutions in the Middle East for 2025' by Global Finance, in recognition of its excellence and distinction in banking. Growing market share Al-Shamlan emphasized KFH's ongoing drive to boost market share by offering competitive products, services, and cutting-edge financing solutions, such as Financing Against Gold Account Collateral. He also highlighted the continuous effort to strengthen KFH's presence in international markets, improve coordination among the Group's banks, and enhance customer service through the KFH Group Service Center. Currently, this center supports KFH-Turkey and KFH-Egypt, with plans to extend its services to other Group banks in the coming period. Al-Shamlan attributed the bank's sustained leadership to its vast experience and large customer base, which collectively reinforce its competitive edge and brand strength. Digitalization and innovation Al-Shamlan also noted that KFH continues to lead digital innovation in banking, offering diverse digital services and solutions to elevate customer experience. He added that KFH launched (Fahad), Kuwait's first virtual assistant employee powered by artificial intelligence. This coincides with a comprehensive update and redesign of the KFHOnline app, now offering over 200 digital banking services to meet high customer demand. KFH also introduced the KFH Virtual Rewards Prepaid Card as a unique payment experience, alongside updated customer software. Additionally, a new, secure, and easy payment service for businesses was rolled out, transforming mobile phones into point-of-sale devices for accepting payments via debit cards and digital wallets.
Arab Times
7 hours ago
- Arab Times
KFH Reports Net Profit Attributable to the Shareholders of the Bank of KD 342.1 Million for H1 2025
KUWAIT CITY, Jul 29: Chairman of Kuwait Finance House (KFH) Hamad Abdulmohsen Al-Marzouq announced that KFH achieved a net profit of KD 342.1 million for the first half of 2025 for the Bank shareholders. Earnings per share for the first half of 2025 reached 19.23 fils. Net financing income for the first half of the year reached KD 607.3 million; an increase of 8.7 % compared to the same period last year. Total operating income for the first half of 2025 increased, supported by the increase in all core activities to reach KD 876 million; an increase of 6.4 % compared to the same period last year. This growth is particularly notable given that the comparative income for 2024 included profits of KD 70.1 million from the sale of KFH-Bahrain during Q2 2024. Net operating income for the first half of the year reached KD 566.7 million; an increase of 7.9 % compared to the same period last year. The cost-to-income ratio for H1-25 improved to 35.3% compared to 36.2% for the same period last year. Financing receivables at the end of the first half of 2025 reached KD 20.4 billion, an increase of 7.1 % compared to the end of last year. Total assets at the end of the first half of 2025 amounted to KD 38.5 billion, an increase of 4.9% compared to the end of last year. Shareholders' equity for the same period amounted to about KD 5.6 billion, an increase of 0.8% compared to the end of last year. Depositors' accounts for the first half of 2025 amounted to KD 19.7 billion, an increase of 2.7% compared to the end of last year. In addition, the capital adequacy ratio reached 18.01 % which is above the limit required by regulators. This ratio confirms the solid capital base of KFH. The Board of Directors has agreed to distribute a semi-annual cash dividend of 10 fils per share. Outstanding performance In a press release, Al-Marzouq said that KFH continues to lead the banking sector and the Kuwaiti market in profitability. This remarkable achievement comes despite the challenging operating environment and geopolitical shifts in the region, which have brought uncertainty to the economic landscape. He emphasized that KFH's success stems from precisely implemented plans that ensure sustainable profits and maintain KFH's solid financial position and robust performance. Al-Marzouq also highlighted the strength of KFH's financial statements for the first half of this year, which showcase a strong capital base, good liquidity ratios, and exceptional operational performance. These factors have collectively driven sustainable growth across all key financial indicators. Operational efficiency Al-Marzouq emphasized that KFH continues to boost its operational efficiency, increase revenues, and optimally use its capabilities in line with global standards. This approach will improve asset quality, enhance risk management, and help the bank rationalize expenses, especially as it navigates the current global financial landscape and the competitive financial services industry. Coordination and integration He added that KFH is working to achieve great ambitions by maximizing the effectiveness of the Group's banks and fostering seamless coordination and integration among. This approach guarantees increased revenues and improved performance, while also leveraging the unique potential and advantages of each market. New chapter Al-Mazrouq said that KFH successfully launched the new visual identity for Ahli United Bank - Bahrain, rebranding it as Kuwait Finance House – Bahrain. This move complements a series of achievements realized under the new brand slogan, "Beyond Horizons". He explained that this series began in Kuwait, subsequently extending to the United Kingdom and the Arab Republic of Egypt. "This initiative is part of KFH's strategy for expansion and global leadership as an Islamic banking group." He emphasized that the new brand launch reflects a shift in vision and concept, marking the beginning of a new chapter of integration and excellence in banking services. Financing and Development Al-Marzouq highlighted KFH's continued dedication and ability to fund large-scale projects in all sectors, including production, service, commercial, and development. By offering a diverse range of financing services and solutions, KFH actively supports the government's comprehensive development plans. He highlighted the bank's strengths, which position it as one of the most trusted and preferred institutions for corporate financing. KFH also enjoys a substantial market share in financing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) within Kuwait's banking sector. Furthermore, the bank is keen to fund numerous large-scale projects, utilizing flexible and efficient Sharia-compliant financing structures. This has established KFH as the preferred partner and lead arranger for many major joint financing deals. Training and promotion Al-Marzouq said that KFH is steadfast in its commitment to nurturing national talent and developing future leaders. Through ongoing training and development programs, partnered with local institutions, universities, and international centers, the bank aims for peak operational efficiency and productivity. This dedication recently saw several national employees advance to senior leadership roles across various departments. CSR & Sustainability Al-Marzouq noted that KFH's social impact grew significantly last year, thanks to its involvement in many key strategic social initiatives. These efforts highlight the crucial role KFH plays in society, alongside its leading position in the economic, developmental, and banking sectors. He highlighted how KFH has created a pioneering and role model for embedding sustainability principles across its entire group. "KFH has seen remarkable success in green financing and implementing a comprehensive sustainability strategy that's central to its mission and vision. The bank is further strengthening its commitment by adopting integrated, comprehensive, and balanced practices in the key areas of sustainability: environmental, social, and governance (ESG)." Al-Marzouq explained that KFH was the first entity to start publishing impact measurement reports, and it annually releases both a Sustainability Report and a Carbon Footprint Report. KFH has been awarded an "A" rating by MSCI. Additionally, KFH has been included in the FTSE4Good Index Series for its exemplary performance in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices. Sound financial indicators Meanwhile, KFH Group CEO, Khaled Yousef Al-Shamlan, said that the bank's H1 2025 profits confirms its robust operational performance and leading position in the Kuwaiti banking sector. He noted that the financial performance for this period reflects prudent strategies and effective policies that consistently yield sustainable profits, solid financial position, asset quality, and good indicators for operating income, cost to income ratios as well as liquidity ratios, and capital adequacy. Global leadership AlShamlan said that "KFH ranked first as the best-performing bank in Kuwait, according to The Banker magazine's 2025 ranking of the top 1,000 global banks. KFH has maintained its position as Kuwait's largest listed company, in Forbes' Global 2000 list for the largest public companies in the world, reinforcing its standing using four metrics, revenues, profits, assets and market value." He pointed out that KFH has won numerous international awards, including "The Middle East's Best Islamic Bank" and "Kuwait's Best Bank" from Euromoney. KFH was also named "Best Bank for Financial Institutions in the Middle East for 2025" by Global Finance, in recognition of its excellence and distinction in banking. Growing market share AlShamlan emphasized KFH's ongoing drive to boost market share by offering competitive products, services, and cutting-edge financing solutions, such as Financing Against Gold Account Collateral. He also highlighted the continuous effort to strengthen KFH's presence in international markets, improve coordination among the Group's banks, and enhance customer service through the KFH Group Service Center. Currently, this center supports KFH-Turkey and KFH-Egypt, with plans to extend its services to other Group banks in the coming period. AlShamlan attributed the bank's sustained leadership to its vast experience and large customer base, which collectively reinforce its competitive edge and brand strength. Digitalization and innovation AlShamlan also noted that KFH continues to lead digital innovation in banking, offering diverse digital services and solutions to elevate customer experience. He added that KFH launched (Fahad), Kuwait's first virtual assistant employee powered by artificial intelligence. This coincides with a comprehensive update and redesign of the KFHOnline app, now offering over 200 digital banking services to meet high customer demand. KFH also introduced the KFH Virtual Rewards Prepaid Card as a unique payment experience, alongside updated customer software. Additionally, a new, secure, and easy payment service for businesses was rolled out, transforming mobile phones into point-of-sale devices for accepting payments via debit cards and digital wallets. He noted that KFH's successful digital transformation showcased the bank and its employees' capabilities to harness global technological advancements and apply them to customer service through innovative approaches and creative efforts. He stressed that customers are the top priority, and their satisfaction is key to achieving the bank's strategic goals.
Arab Times
7 hours ago
- Arab Times
Burgan Bank Joins Regional Sustainability Leaders with Inclusion in FTSE4Good Index Series
KUWAIT CITY, Jul 29: Burgan Bank announced its inclusionas a constituent in the FTSE4Good Index Series, an affirmation of its unwavering commitment to ESG best practices. Developed by global index and data provider FTSE Russell, the FTSE4Good Index Series is a globally recognized benchmark that measures the performance of companies demonstrating strong Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) indices are widely used by investors and asset managers to incorporate ESG factors into their investment decisions, as well as to create and evaluate responsible investment funds and related financial products. Built on transparent management standards and rigorous assessment criteria, FTSE Russell's evaluations consider performance in areas such as corporate governance, health &safety, anti-corruption,and climate change. Companies included in the FTSE4Good Index Series demonstrate compliance with a variety of stringent ESG criteria. Commenting on this accomplishment, Mr. Fadel Abdullah, Chief Executive Officer – Kuwait at Burgan Bank, stated: 'We are honored to beone of the five organizations in Kuwait recognized by globally renowned FTSE Russell for our unwavering efforts to adopt the best ESG practices in the banking sector and embed them into our operations, culture, and stakeholder engagement. Burgan's inclusion in the FTSE4Good Index Series is a testament to our consistent and measurable progress in sustainability affirms our strategic commitment to sustainable business growth, designedto create a positive impacton our community, industry, and natural environmentwhile supporting a resilient and equitable futurefor all stakeholders.' The inclusion in the FTSE4Good Index Series provides external validation of Burgan Bank's efforts to align with global sustainability standards and frameworks such as UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB), and Kuwait Vision 2035. This recognition reflects Burgan's strong ESG agenda, driven by a comprehensive framework and strategic roadmap, under which the Bank has achieved significant progress across its four ESG pillarsof Good Governance,Responsible Banking, Community Betterment, and Environmental Impact Reduction. On the environmental front, Burgan Bank was awarded the LEED Gold certification (O&M v4.1) for its head office, recognizing its exceptionalenergy-efficient design and sustainable operations. The Bank continues to advance its Green House Gas (GHG) mapping and reduction efforts to design a long-term decarbonization Bankhas installed electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at its head office and select branches, and motion-sensor lighting to optimize energy efficiencyas well as installed rooftop solar panels for clean renewable energy. Furthermore, the Bank has made concerted efforts for climate risk integration in its credit portfolio. On the social sustainability front, Burgan Bank reaffirmed its recognition as a certified Great Place to Work® and continued to champion diversity and inclusion within its workforce. The Bank surpassed the mandated Kuwaitization target with 86% national representation, while women comprised 45% of its total staff, including strong representation in senior leadership roles. The Bank's efforts for social sustainability were also evident in its learning and development programs, tailored to address diverse needs and interests. In its pursuit of establishing a culture of healthy work-life balance, Burgan Bank currenly offers five days of fully paid paternity leave, one day of birthday leave, and four self-care days, in addition to the standard annual leave days. The Bank also offers numerous programs, benefits, events, and sporting initiatives for the comprehensive development of its employees. Moreoever, Burgan Bank has launched several initiatives and programs to empower women in the workplace and support their professional development – such as the "Lean In Circle" program and the "Empower Her" initiative. It is worth noting that the Bank is also major supporter of the "Partners for Hire" campaign, which aims to sustainably empower people with disabilities and provide them with job opportunities across various departments. Along the same lines and to cater to this community, Burgan Bank has also allocated six branches to serve customers with disabilities to promote equal access to banking services. As part of its social impact agenda, the Bank maintained its long-standing support for the Kuwait Association for Care of Children in Hospital (KACCH) and Bayt Abdullah Children's Hospice (BACCH), helping ensure access to vital palliative care services. In 2024, Burgan Bank also partnered with the Kuwait Olympic Committee (KOC) as a sponsor of the national delegation to the Paris 2024 Olympics, reinforcing its commitment to community development and national pride. Burgan Bank remains committed to fostering a strong compliance culture across the organization, focused on preventing financial crime, including money laundering, terrorism financing, fraud, corruption, and bribery. This commitment is underpinned by a robust governance framework that reflects the Bank's dedication to ethical conduct, responsible leadership, and maintaining the highest standards of security in the banking sector. The Bank's comprehensive ESG strategy also delivered notableadvancements in digital transformation, particularly in cybersecurity, with the implementation of cutting-edge technologies, AI-driven threat detection, and proactive incident response measures to ensure maximum data protection for all stakeholders. Moreover, Burgan Bank has consistently led the way in transparency and sustainability,reporting its sustainability related efforts and achievements consecutively for thelast six years since 2019. This reinforcesthe Bank's committedadherence to transparent governance and proactive sustainability leadership,demonstratingits year-on-year improvements in the sustainability and ESG performance. As a trusted financial partner and a bank that is 'Driven by You', Burgan Bank remains dedicated to upholding its responsibility toward its customers, community, and investors, by adopting the highest standards of ESG practices and ensuring that its business success reflects positively on its stakeholders.
