NBK awarded Best Bank in Kuwait for 2025 & Al-Sager recognized as MENA Sustainability Leader of the Year
Three prestigious awards reinforce NBK Group's leadership in innovative banking solutions and its excellence in sustainability and asset management
KUWAIT: National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) has received three prestigious accolades from MEED magazine as part of MENA Banking Excellence Awards. Presented annually, these honors recognize the region's most distinguished financial institutions and spotlight those setting new benchmarks in innovation, customer experience and leadership within the banking sector. During the awards ceremony held by MEED magazine in Dubai, NBK was honored with three major distinctions, including 'Best Bank in Kuwait - 2025' - a new milestone that reaffirms the Bank's leading position in the financial sector.
Additionally, Isam Al-Sager, NBK Group Vice Chairman and CEO, was named 'MENA Sustainability Leader of the Year' in recognition of his outstanding leadership and pivotal role in driving the Bank's sustainability agenda. His contributions have positioned NBK as a model for advancing one of the most vital causes shaping the future of coming generations. In the meantime, NBK Wealth was named MENA Fund Manager of the Year - 2025, further cementing the Group's standing as one of the region's leading asset management firms.
Muhammad Al-Borno and Kholood Abdullah receive the award of the Best Bank in Kuwait.
Muhammad Al-Borno receives the Sustainability Leader Award on behalf of Essam Al Saqr.
Best in the local market
NBK's recognition as the Best Bank in Kuwait for 2025 reaffirms its outstanding track record in delivering an exceptional banking experience — one that not only fulfills customers' needs but consistently exceeds their expectations. Renowned for pioneering innovative banking services and advanced payment solutions, NBK continues to lead the way in digital banking, making its name synonymous with innovation and excellence in Kuwait and across the region.
Furthermore, NBK holds the highest credit ratings among all banks in the region, as affirmed by leading international credit rating agencies — Moody's, S&P's and Fitch. The Bank also stands out for its expansive local and international network, spanning key global financial centers, including China, Geneva, London, Paris, New York, and Singapore, alongside a strong regional presence across Lebanon, Egypt, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and the UAE.
Sustainability leader
MEED honored Isam Al-Sager, NBK Group Vice Chairman and CEO, with the MENA Sustainability Leader of the Year award. This recognition affirms his pivotal role in steering NBK toward numerous sustainability milestones and reinforcing the foundations of sustainable development in Kuwait and across all the markets where the Bank operates. Among NBK's most notable milestones in this area is the integration of ESG standards across its operations and corporate culture — an approach that supports the transition to a sustainable, low-carbon economy and aligns with Kuwait's national roadmap to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060.
Over the past year, the Bank has made significant strides in advancing its sustainability agenda, most notably through the successful issuance of its inaugural US$500 million green bonds — the first of their kind by a Kuwaiti financial institution. By the end of 2024, the Bank's sustainable finance portfolio had reached US$4.97 billion, representing nearly 50 percent of its US$10 billion target by 2030. Additionally, the Bank published its first Green Bond Allocation and Impact Report, underscoring the positive environmental outcomes resulting from the deployment of bond proceeds.
NBK has been at the forefront of banks embracing the shift toward sustainable finance, launching a comprehensive suite of green transformation products and services across its branches. These include echo friendly housing loans, sustainability-linked financing, and consumer loans for electric vehicles — reinforcing the Bank's commitment to supporting environmentally responsible choices and advancing the transition to a low-carbon economy. Al-Sager was also ranked first in Kuwait and third in the banking and financial services sector across the Middle East in Forbes magazine's 2024 list of Sustainability Leaders in the region — further underscoring his influential role in driving sustainable practices within the banking industry.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arab Times
9 hours ago
- Arab Times
Gulf Bank Concludes Successful Participation in University Admission Fairs at Kuwait University and Abdullah Al-Salem University
KUWAIT CITY, Aug 12: As part of its ongoing commitment to supporting education and empowering Kuwaiti youth, Gulf Bank has successfully concluded its distinguished participation in the university admission fairs at Kuwait University and Abdullah Al-Salem University. The Bank actively engaged with new students, introducing them to its tailored banking solutions designed specifically for young people. Gulf Bank took part in the interactive admission fair held at Kuwait University's Sabah Al-Salem University City in Al-Shadadiya from 19 to 29 July 2025. The Bank's booth attracted a high turnout from students and parents, who showed great interest in the banking services designed for university students. Similarly, the Bank participated in the admission fair hosted by Abdullah Al-Salem University at its Khaldiya campus from 6 to 17 July 2025. Gulf Bank's presence featured direct interaction with visitors, providing comprehensive information on student accounts and other tailored services. These participations are part of Gulf Bank's continuous efforts to strengthen engagement with youth and support them in the early stages of their academic journey. Alongside sharing information on academic majors and admission processes, the Bank also offered financial tips to help students manage their resources effectively from the start of their university life. At both events, Gulf Bank showcased its red account, one of its leading banking solutions designed for customers aged 15 to 25. The account offers a wide range of benefits, including prepaid cards, exclusive discounts, rewards on purchases, and access to unique events and experiences that enrich both personal and professional growth. Beyond its features, the red account serves as a platform to promote financial literacy among youth, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to make informed financial decisions early in life – positively shaping their future and fostering a generation that is financially aware and capable of managing resources effectively. Gulf Bank's team expressed pride in supporting students throughout their high school and university years, offering innovative banking services designed to keep pace with their fast-paced lifestyles. Gulf Bank concluded its participation by thanking the administrations of both universities for organizing the fairs, which serve as valuable platforms to connect with youth. The Bank reaffirmed its commitment to continuing its support for educational and youth initiatives that contribute to Kuwait's development and enhance the quality of life for its students and community.
Kuwait Times
2 days ago
- Kuwait Times
NBK empowers youth through sponsorship of ‘Kon' program
KUWAIT: As part of its strong commitment to supporting and empowering the youth, the National Bank of Kuwait continues its support and sponsorship of the 'Kon' Social Entrepreneurship Program under its ongoing strategic partnership with LOYAC non-profit organization. Organized by LOYAC in collaboration with the prestigious Babson College, the program kickstarted its tenth edition this year with a festive opening ceremony at the American University of Kuwait, which witnessed a remarkable turnout of program alumni, mentors, and new participants in this year's edition, in addition to representatives from both NBK and LOYAC. Kon is a five-week extensive program that encompasses educational activities, specialized training sessions, interactive discussions, online lectures, and virtual workshops all tailored to enhance and develop pioneering social programs in Kuwait. This year, 45 male and female students participated in the program between the ages of 12 and 16, and the opening day provided a unique opportunity for networking and exchanging experiences between different generations of social entrepreneurs. The aim of this program is to instill in the student skills of leadership and innovation by developing projects that serve society and contribute to its prosperity. Moreover, participants get the opportunity to learn from distinguished leaders at NBK as well as experts from different participating companies and institutions, who provide their knowledge and counselling for the program's competing projects. As part of the program's activities, Mohammed Al-Sarraf, Event Manager at NBK gave the students an orientation session which introduced them to concepts of social responsibility and highlighted NBK's diverse initiatives and programs across different sectors, including healthcare, education, environment, and youth support. Yaqoub Al-Baqer, Assistant Vice President of Public Relations and Event Management commented: 'We are pleased with our collaboration with LOYAC that embodies our joint vision and belief in the significance of investing in Kuwait's youth who, as we strongly believe, can make sustainable and positive change in society'. Al-Baqer added: 'This program is remarkably aligned with NBK's vision that aims to support the youth and expand their knowledge, further enabling them to develop projects that serve their society and provide innovative solutions for environmental, medical, and educational challenges'. Al-Baqer emphasized NBK's strong commitment and dedication towards enabling Kuwait's youth to become influential future leaders, as the bank diligently provides them with the necessary support and confidence to turn their ideas into purposeful projects. NBK is also very keen on constantly providing specialized training programs that invest in youth competencies and give them the opportunity to build promising futures. The program successfully concluded its activities on August 7, after which students benefited from extensive training sessions presented by experienced social entrepreneurship experts, as well as specialized discussions and virtual workshops. At the end of the program, the students competed in a final evaluation of their projects by which the judging committee chose the best three projects as per innovation, excellence, and quality standards. Under its commitment to social responsibility, NBK is always keen on supporting all society segments as well as volunteering non-profit organizations that promote youth education in preparation for a better future.
Kuwait Times
2 days ago
- Kuwait Times
Gulf Bank hosts AI workshop in collaboration with INJAZ to support and empower youth
Initiative as part of bank's continuous efforts to support digital education among students KUWAIT: As part of its ongoing commitment to supporting youth and equipping them with the tools of the future, Gulf Bank, in collaboration with INJAZ Kuwait, organized an interactive workshop on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its applications, attended by a large number of school and university students. This initiative comes within Gulf Bank's continuous efforts to support digital education and enhance technological literacy among the next generation. The workshop provided participants with an introduction to AI concepts and hands-on activities designed to develop their creative and analytical thinking skills, better preparing them for the demands of the digital job market. Through its long-standing partnership with INJAZ Kuwait, Gulf Bank continues to implement a variety of educational programs aimed at empowering youth in areas such as entrepreneurship, career readiness, and financial literacy – preparing them for professional success while fostering an entrepreneurial and independent mindset. This collaboration stands as a testament to Gulf Bank's commitment to corporate social responsibility and investment in national talent. The Bank remains dedicated to launching and supporting innovative initiatives, in partnership with leading educational institutions like INJAZ, to provide modern learning environments that keep pace with global developments and inspire young people to contribute to building a knowledge- and technology-based economy. Gulf Bank expressed its pride in its partnership with INJAZ Kuwait, which aligns with the Bank's vision of promoting digital innovation and creating future-ready learning opportunities for Kuwaiti youth. The Bank emphasized that AI is no longer a luxury, but an essential tool for shaping the future – and Gulf Bank is keen to play an active role in empowering the next generation in this vital field. Gulf Bank continues to lead digital transformation in Kuwait's banking sector through sustained investments in technology and innovative banking solutions, alongside community efforts that focus on youth empowerment and fostering a culture of lifelong learning. The workshop also welcomed several Red Cardholders – part of Gulf Bank's youth-focused banking program for customers aged 15 to 25 – giving them the opportunity to explore the world of AI in a dynamic, hands-on setting. Designed to empower young customers, the Red Account offers benefits such as prepaid cards, exclusive deals, purchase rewards, and access to unique events and experiences that enrich their lifestyles and help them achieve their ambitions. By offering diverse youth-focused events and experiences, Gulf Bank continues to strengthen its relationships with its customers – particularly young people – while reinforcing its position as a financial institution that understands and meets the aspirations of the next generation.
