Latest news with #Euromoney
Al Bawaba
5 days ago
- Business
- Al Bawaba
NBB Named Best Bank in Bahrain at Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2025
The National Bank of Bahrain (NBB) has been named Best Bank in Bahrain at the 2025 Euromoney Awards for Excellence for its standout financial performance, digital transformation initiatives and customer centric approach throughout the past year. The Bank was also honoured as Best Bank for ESG and Best Bank for Corporate Responsibility, reaffirming its role as a national leader in responsible banking and meaningful community on the occasion, Usman Ahmed, Group Chief Executive Officer of NBB stated, 'The recognition as Bahrain's Best Bank is the result of a focused strategy, with execution rooted in robust governance, innovation-led banking, and a pledge to contribute to national development. We continue to build on our legacy by enhancing client offerings through digitalisation, integrating sustainability into our business at every level and expanding regionally. These awards reflect the collective efforts of our team, who remain passionate about pursuing excellence across all aspects of the NBB Group's operations."For his part, Ben Naylor, Global Head of Research at Euromoney, remarked, 'NBB achieved strong growth with a 7% rise in assets and 11% increase in profits. The Bank advanced its digital transformation agenda, expanded sustainably, and launched Bahrain's first Bitcoin-linked investment product. Strategic execution boosted lending by 16%, while its continued emphasis on sustainability and innovation is helping reshape Bahrain's banking sector. NBB's diverse initiatives encompass CSR, employee engagement, and community support. In 2024, the Bank backed vulnerable groups, supported youth sports and education, launched a donations fund for urgent needs, and led notable environmental efforts. They also inaugurated a LEED Platinum-certified branch, launched a new Sustainable Management Committee, and recorded major energy and emissions reductions, demonstrating a firm commitment to ESG principles. These efforts were complemented with the financing of key social infrastructure, leading Bahrain's first sustainability-linked interest rate swap, advancing sustainable finance and governance standards.'The Bank's innovation-driven ethos remained a defining strength throughout the year, with an 84% increase in newly onboarded retail customers via digital channels and a 23% increase in digitally registered users. NBB launched a host of solutions that serve the dynamic needs of its business as well as consumer banking expanding its consumer banking proposition to cater to younger customer demographics, the Bank introduced the Yalla Family Account. The product is offered as part of the NBB Digital Banking app to instil responsible spending habits among the youth, while allowing parents to onboard their children and manage their accounts directly through the digital ahead of the trends shaping global financial markets, NBB also introduced the GCC's first Bitcoin-linked structured investment product. The offering is designed for accredited investors and provides them with capital-protected exposure to Bitcoin's performance, thereby marking a pioneering investment solution that combines innovation with risk its business clientele, the Bank delivered DigiCorp, a revamped corporate banking platform that offers secure and efficient financial management. Complementing DigiCorp were DigiConnect, a new host-to-host integration solution designed to streamline payment and reconciliation processes for large corporates, and the Enterprise Liquidity Management Solution (eLMS), which helps clients optimise balances, pool funds from different accounts, and manage daily liquidity. Additionally, NBB Go, Bahrain's first SoftPOS (Software Point-of-Sale) solution, enabled small merchants to use their NFC-enabled Android smartphones to securely accept payments. Together, these three Euromoney Awards for Excellence further reinforce NBB's purpose-driven vision that is redefining modern banking and reinforce its position as Bahrain's leading financial institution.
Kuwait Times
5 days ago
- Business
- Kuwait Times
NIC awarded Kuwait's Best Investment Bank
KUWAIT: In recognition of its exceptional services and continued achievements both locally and regionally, National Investments Company (NIC) has been awarded the title of Best Investment Bank in Equity Markets – Kuwait 2025 by Euromoney, one of the world's most prominent financial publications. This prestigious accolade highlights NIC's unwavering commitment to delivering world-class financial and advisory services to its clients. Commenting on the award, Bashar Khan, Managing Director of the Investment Banking Sector at NIC, said: 'We are honored to receive this distinguished recognition for the second consecutive year. It reflects the dedication of our team and our ongoing drive to create value for our clients and shareholders through excellence in investment banking services.' Khan emphasized that NIC's Investment Banking Sector has become a key competitive player in the local market and a growing force in the regional arena. This success is attributed to the sector's diverse advisory capabilities and its active engagement in Alternative Investments across local, regional, and global markets. He noted that the sector has recently managed a wide array of investment mandates, including mergers and acquisitions, capital increases, private placements, and high-impact advisory services. These efforts are in-line with NIC's strategic focus on service diversification and positioning itself as a premier investment advisor delivering innovative, value-driven solutions. Bashar Khan noted that National Investments Company has successfully executed a number of distinguished transactions with a total value exceeding $2 billion. Bashar Khan These included leading a preferred share issuance for a prominent and reputable energy company, in addition to managing multiple mergers and acquisitions, acquisition financing, and capital increases across various firms. The company also successfully oversaw several private placements and strategic advisory mandates. These accomplishments reflect NIC's ongoing strategy to diversify its service offerings and reinforce its position as a leading investment advisor in both local and regional markets. By delivering innovative solutions that promote sustainable growth and enhance value for clients and shareholders, NIC continues to demonstrate its commitment to excellence—a success made possible by the exceptional professionalism and expertise of its team. Khan concluded by stating that these accomplishments reinforce NIC's standing as a leading investment bank. They also showcase the company's ability to offer tailored, effective solutions that align with NIC's clients' long-term goals while cementing the company's role as a trusted advisory partner. It is worth noting that Euromoney bases its awards on comprehensive qualitative and quantitative assessments, including innovation, service delivery, sector impact, and feedback from industry experts. For over 50 years, Euromoney has honored institutions that make meaningful contributions to the financial services sector, setting benchmarks in quality, innovation, and client success.
Qatar Tribune
6 days ago
- Business
- Qatar Tribune
Doha Bank named best bank for homeowners
Tribune News Network Doha Doha Bank has been awarded the prestigious title of Best Bank for Homeowners in Qatar at the 2025 Euromoney Awards for Excellence. The recognition underscores Doha Bank's leadership in transforming the housing finance landscape in Qatar through customer-centric innovation, market responsiveness, and a strong commitment to sustainability. The award reflects the success of Doha Bank's 2024 Housing Loan Campaign, which introduced a new era of responsible and rewarding home financing solutions tailored to the needs of modern homeowners. By offering exclusive incentives, expanded financing options, and a streamlined experience, the campaign redefined what customers can expect from home loans in Qatar. From ready-built properties and residential land to GSAS-certified green developments in Lusail and The Pearl, the bank's portfolio offered wide-ranging solutions built on flexibility and customer value. In addition to competitive benefits such as complimentary life and fire insurance, generous cashback or vehicle offers, and fee refunds, the bank ensured faster turnaround times and deeper engagement with both clients and real estate partners. The campaign was also notable for advancing the bank's ESG strategy, with dedicated green financing offerings developed in collaboration with the Gulf Organisation for Research & Development (GORD) in support of Qatar National Vision 2030. The housing loan portfolio recorded a 23% year-on-year growth, driven by the campaign's strong performance and high customer retention, reinforcing Doha Bank's position as a preferred financial partner for aspiring homeowners in Qatar. Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Fahad bin Faisal Al Thani, Group Chief Executive Officer at Doha Bank, said: 'This award reflects our deep commitment to empowering families and individuals across Qatar to own homes that align with both their aspirations and our nation's sustainability goals. We are proud to lead the way in delivering responsible, customer-focused, and innovative housing finance solutions.' Dimitrios Kokosioulis, Deputy Chief Executive Officer at Doha Bank, added: 'Our Housing Loan Campaign was built around real customer needs: value, simplicity, and trust. The results speak for themselves. This recognition from Euromoney is a testament to our team's dedication to delivering products that not only meet market demand but also promote long-term financial and environmental responsibility.' The recognition from Euromoney further affirms Doha Bank's mission to deliver superior customer experiences and contribute meaningfully to the development of a resilient, inclusive, and future-ready financial sector in Qatar.
Trade Arabia
7 days ago
- Business
- Trade Arabia
Bank ABC Islamic named ‘Best Sukuk House in Bahrain'
Bank ABC Islamic has been recognised as the 'Best Sukuk House in Bahrain' at the Euromoney Islamic Awards 2025. This award highlights the bank's excellence in Islamic finance and its commitment to offering Sharia-compliant banking solutions across the MENA region and globally. The prestigious award was presented on May 20 in Dubai, at a ceremony attended by industry experts and peers. By offering superior Sharia-compliant financial products and services, Bank ABC Islamic has significantly expanded its market share across the MENA region and served clients across its network markets. The bank has provided inclusive Islamic financial solutions tailored to regional needs, further strengthening its foothold in the MENA region. The Islamic Bank's alignment with sustainability principles further underscores its commitment to generating positive social and environmental outcomes alongside financial returns. Commenting on this achievement, Hammad Hassan, Managing Director, Bank ABC Islamic & Group Head of Islamic Banking at Bank ABC, said: 'It is a great honour to be named 'Best Sukuk House in Bahrain' at the Euromoney Islamic Finance Awards 2025. This award reflects our commitment to advancing Islamic finance in the region and globally, and our efforts dedicated towards delivering genuine Sharia-compliant financial solutions aligned with Bank ABC's overarching sustainability goals. I thank Euromoney for recognising our growth and innovation in our Islamic Banking offering, as well as the team behind Bank ABC Islamic and our product partners across Bank ABC Group for their focused efforts and perseverance." Bank ABC Islamic has been instrumental in facilitating high-profile Sukuk transactions, including multi-million-dollar issuances that underscore its expertise and thorough understanding of client needs. The bank recently played a key role as joint lead manager in a landmark sustainable Sukuk issuance and served as co-lead manager in a major green Sukuk offering by a prominent Gulf conglomerate. Over the last few years, the bank has played a pivotal role in enabling large corporate Issuers from the US and Europe tap Islamic liquidity from the region for the first time, and these mandates have received largescale industry recognition. This was achieved through the close collaboration of Bank ABC Islamic's structuring team and Bank ABC Group's Debt Capital Markets platform, with its strong product and distribution capabilities, which come together very successfully. alburaq, Bank ABC Islamic's fully digital Islamic banking window, has also seen great success. Designed to deliver seamless Sharia-compliant digital banking services, alburaq has reinforced Bank ABC Islamic's position as a frontrunner in state-of-the-art Islamic finance. Ben Naylor, Global Head of Research, Euromoney, commented: ''Bank ABC Islamic led Bahrain's Sukuk market, closing 16 mandates worth $12 billion. Highlights include landmark deals for AerCap, Turkey, and Dubai Islamic Bank. Its Islamic structuring expertise, and ESG-focused issuances cemented its position as a top Sukuk arranger.' Bank ABC Islamic's focus on digital innovation, product development, and sustainable Islamic finance continue to set new standards in the industry. With this solid foundation, Bank ABC Islamic is ready to further develop the Islamic sustainable finance market globally, offering Shari'a-compliant banking products and services to a broader investor base. – TradeArabia News Service
Al Bawaba
7 days ago
- Business
- Al Bawaba
RAKBANK wins Euromoney's prestigious award for UAE's Best Bank for SMEs
RAKBANK's Business Banking Group (BBG) has been honoured with the highly coveted title of UAE's Best Bank for SMEs at the Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2025, marking a milestone in the institution's longstanding commitment to empowering small and medium enterprises across the UAE. Recognised as the gold standard in the global banking industry, the Euromoney Awards celebrate institutions that consistently demonstrate exceptional performance, innovation, and leadership within their respective fields. This recognition firmly cements RAKBANK's position as the country's leading bank for SMEs. Announced on May 20 at an elegant ceremony in Dubai, the award win highlights RAKBANK's pivotal role in driving the growth of the UAE's SME sector. With over 92,000 businesses benefiting from its comprehensive solutions in 2024 alone – including finance to 13,000 entrepreneurs last year – RAKBANK has cemented its reputation as a trusted and innovative partner for SMEs. Key achievements driving the win • RAKBANK facilitated 7.5% growth in its business banking portfolio in 2024, reflecting a 9% increase in SME loans • Community engagement initiatives, like the launch of Season 2 of the SMESouk Podcast, reached a milestone of 3.8 million impressions on social media. • As the first bank in the GCC to issue a Social Finance Bond, RAKBANK directed proceeds to key sectors, including SMEs and healthcare, aligning with We the UAE 2031 vision. • The Bank's SME Confidence Index for 2025 highlighted strong optimism across the UAE's SME landscape, despite global economic headwinds. Committed to empowering SMEs Dhiraj Kunwar, Managing Director of Business Banking at RAKBANK, celebrated the win, saying: 'Winning Euromoney's prestigious award for the UAE's Best Bank for SMEs is a defining moment for RAKBANK and showcases our relentless commitment to the SME community. Supporting SMEs is not just a business priority for us; it's part of our DNA as a financial institution dedicated to shaping the UAE's economic future. 'Over the years, we have worked tirelessly to innovate and aid entrepreneurs in solving their challenges. Whether it's robust financing solutions, faster onboarding through digital platforms, or driving community engagement through initiatives like the SMESouk Podcast, we aim to empower SMEs at every stage of their growth. This award is proof of that success in providing service, technology, and impactful partnerships. We envision a future where every SME in the UAE feels empowered to thrive with RAKBANK as their trusted ally.' Through innovative thinking and an empathetic approach to business, RAKBANK has empowered SMEs to not just survive but thrive. From helping business owners in expanding their businesses through financing, to supporting larger enterprises in managing trade finances, the bank continues to lead with a customer-first philosophy. While RAKBANK are digitising their offerings, maintaining the personal touch is paramount for the bank, aligning with their strategic ambition to become the 'digital bank with a human touch'.
