Latest news with #ShaikhaAl-Bahar
Kuwait Times
27-05-2025
- Business
- Kuwait Times
NBK-Egypt reports EGP 2 bn net profit
KUWAIT: National Bank of Kuwait - Egypt (NBK-Egypt) has reported net profits of EGP 2 billion (Equivalent to KD 12.6 million) for the first three months of 2025, from the EGP 1.3 billion (Equivalent to KD 11.7 million) reported in the corresponding period of 2024, showcasing an impressive growth rate of 58 percent. Net Operating Income stood at EGP 3.8 billion in 1Q2025, recording an increase of 38 percent from EGP 2.8 billion recorded in the corresponding period of 2024. In the meantime, Net Interest Income grew by 41 percent, reaching EGP 3.3 billion compared to EGP 2.4 billion in 1Q2024. Meanwhile, Net Operating Income (excluding interests) increased to EGP 0.5 billion in 1Q2025, compared to EGP 0.4billion in 1Q2024, up by 20 percent, while Cost to Net Operating Income dropped from 26 percent in 1Q2024 to 25 percent in 1Q2025. Total assets reached EGP 203 billion by the end of 1Q2025, up by 4 percent compared to EGP 196 billion by the end of 2024. Furthermore, total loans and credit facilities expanded to EGP 109 billion in 1Q2025, reflecting a growth rate of around 5 percent compared to EGP 104 billion recorded at the end of 2024. Additionally, customer deposits increased to EGP 164 billion by the end of 1Q2025, up from EGP 160 billion at the end of 2024, representing a growth rate of 3 percent. Furthermore, The Return on Average Assets (ROAA) improved to 4.1 percent in 1Q2025, compared to 3.6 percent in the corresponding period of 2024, while the Return on Average Equity (ROAE) increased to 35.8 percent in 1Q2025, up from 33.6 percent in the corresponding period of 2024. Commenting on the financial results announced by NBK-Egypt, Shaikha Al-Bahar, Deputy Group Chief Executive Officer, National Bank of Kuwait, and Chairman of NBK-Egypt, said: 'The robust profit growth achieved by National Bank of Kuwait – Egypt in the first quarter of 2025 is a clear testament to the strength of our financial position, the resilience of our business model, and our ability to perform across varying economic landscapes.' Yasser El Tayeb Shaikha Al Bahar Al-Bahar explained that despite operational headwinds, the bank succeeded in delivering strong performance across its core business segments during the first quarter of 2025. She emphasized that the continued expansion of the bank's balance sheet and the sustained growth in key financial indicators reaffirm the soundness of NBK Group's strategic vision. She noted that the bank remains firmly on track to further strengthen its position in what has become the Group's most significant foreign market, given Egypt's vast potential, positive outlook, and promising growth opportunities. Furthermore, Al-Bahar affirmed that Egypt remains a key growth market for NBK Group and represents a cornerstone of its long-term strategic investments. She highlighted that the Group's operations in Egypt continue to rank among its most profitable, delivering the highest returns on shareholders' equity and assets. This performance, she noted, reflects the success of NBK's business diversification strategy and the rapid momentum of its digital transformation journey—both of which are central to the bank's efforts to expand its market share, particularly in retail banking, within one of the region's most populous countries and one of its most promising investment landscapes. She underscored the prominent footprint NBK Egypt has established as one of the fastest-growing banks in the Egyptian banking sector—an achievement clearly reflected in its robust financial indicators and the sustained growth in business performance witnessed over recent years. Al-Bahar also noted that NBK Egypt is focused on enhancing the quality of its services, expanding its geographical presence, and reaching a broader and more diverse customer base. She highlighted the significant strides the bank has made in modernizing its digital infrastructure, information technology systems, and electronic channels—advancements that have reinforced its position as a strong and competitive player in the Egyptian banking market. This progress comes in tandem with the growing demand for banking services and the rising momentum of financial inclusion across the country. Meanwhile, Vice Chairman, CEO, and Managing Director of National Bank of Kuwait-Egypt, Mr. Yasser El-Tayeb, said: 'The robust financial results achieved by the bank at the end of the first quarter of 2025 underscore the resilience and adaptability of our business model, enabling sustained growth despite the challenges posed by local, regional, and global market conditions.' El-Tayeb highlighted that NBK Egypt's business growth is well-balanced across all sectors, while maintaining efficiency and risk ratios aligned with sustainable expansion. This success is attributed to the bank's prudent policies and a flexible business model designed to effectively meet customer needs. He emphasized that NBK-Egypt is experiencing consistent growth across all activities and business sectors while maintaining efficiency rates and risk ratios that align with this expansion. This approach ensures business sustainability and customer satisfaction alike, thanks to the bank's prudent policies and its robust business model capable of meeting customer needs and diversifying income sources. He further added that the majority of NBK Egypt's income is generated from credit operations within the corporate sector, alongside contributions from retail banking. The bank's credit portfolio encompasses a wide range of clients, including large, medium, and small enterprises, while its retail banking portfolio serves diverse customer segments. This breadth underscores the strength and diversity of the bank's income sources. Al-Tayeb emphasized the bank's commitment to further strengthening its position in the retail banking sector by offering advanced services and products tailored to diverse customer segments, aiming to establish itself as a comprehensive bank that fulfills all their financial and life needs. He also affirmed the bank's ongoing commitment to enhancing its digital banking services, aiming to deliver a seamless and unique banking experience that enables customers to carry out most of their transactions anytime and from anywhere. He added that the bank is actively working to encourage wider adoption of digital payment channels, in line with the broader policy directions of the Egyptian government and the Central Bank of Egypt. El-Tayeb concluded by underscoring NBK Egypt's commitment to supporting the global shift toward sustainable finance and the transition to a green economy. He noted that the bank actively backs environmentally responsible projects that promote sustainability and rely on renewable energy sources. In addition, it continues to explore viable solutions to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change and reduce carbon emissions. He further highlighted that sustainable finance has become one of the most critical tools for safeguarding long-term financial stability.
Kuwait Times
22-05-2025
- Business
- Kuwait Times
Shaikha Al-Bahar only Kuwaiti on Fortune's 100 powerful businesswomen in 2025 list
Al-Bahar stands as second-highest ranked executive from Mideast KUWAIT: Shaikha Al-Bahar, Deputy Group Chief Executive Officer of National Bank of Kuwait (NBK), has been recognized as Kuwait's most influential businesswoman and the sole Kuwaiti featured in Fortune Magazine's prestigious 2025 list of the 100 Most Powerful Women in Business. Al-Bahar stands as the second-highest ranked executive from the Middle East region on this coveted list. The list, compiled by Fortune editors, is based on company size and health of the business, as well as an executive's career trajectory, influence, innovation and efforts to make business better. More than 50 women currently lead Fortune 500 companies, yet only 20 made this year's list — a testament to how increasingly competitive the ranking has become. Featured in the 2025 ranking are some of the most influential figures in global business, including Mary Barra, Chair and CEO of General Motors; Julie Sweet, Chair and CEO of Accenture; Jane Fraser, CEO of Citigroup; Lisa Su, Chair and CEO of AMD; and Ana Botín, Executive Chairman of Banco Santander. In her role at NBK, Al-Bahar continues to play a pivotal part in driving the bank's sustained growth and transformation. Her leadership spans critical initiatives including digital innovation, sustainability strategies, and policy development to extend NBK's regional footprint. She has been instrumental in advancing sustainable finance efforts aligned with the global transition towards a low-carbon economy and climate risk mitigation. Driven by her strategic vision, NBK reinforced its position as Kuwait's largest bank and a regional powerhouse with top-tier credit ratings. Building on this momentum, she spearheaded the Group's digital transformation, notably launching 'Weyay,' Kuwait's first fully digital bank tailored to redefine financial engagement for younger generations. Al-Bahar was also a key architect behind NBK's Sustainable Financing Framework, embedding global ESG standards into the bank's operations. Beyond business, Al-Bahar is a strong advocate for social impact. She launched NBK RISE, a transformative initiative aimed at empowering women in leadership roles and led the 'Bankee' Financial Literacy Program in partnership with the Ministry of Education and the Public Authority for Anti-Corruption 'Nazaha.' In the 2024–2025 academic year alone, the program reached more than 32,000 students and 7,200 teachers, marking a significant step forward in advancing financial literacy among Kuwait's youth.
Arab Times
20-05-2025
- Business
- Arab Times
NBK's Shaikha Al-Bahar only Kuwaiti on Fortune's 100 list
KUWAIT CITY, May 20, (Agencies): Deputy Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) Shaikha Al-Bahar is the only Kuwaiti who made it to the 2025 100 Most Powerful Women in Business List that Fortune released on Tuesday. The list consists of a hundred influential businesswomen in the finance, technology, health care, telecom, retail, energy and other industries. In 1977, Al-Bahar joined NBK, where she proved her leadership capabilities as she rose through the ranks over the years. At present, she is the only woman in the executive management team of the bank. She currently heads NBK-France and Egypt; in addition to her post as board member of NBK (International) -- the subsidiary of the bank in the United Kingdom. Al-Bahar was the brain behind the launching of NBK RISE, a program that aims to empower women leaders and train them within nine months to assume leadership posts. NBK is one of the largest financial institutions in Kuwait and one of the leading banks in the region. The total value of its assets as at the end of March reached more than $135 billion. Group CEO of First Abu Dhabi Bank in the United Arab Emirates Hana Al-Rostamani joins Al-Bahar as the only two women from the Gulf on the list, ranking 76th and 92nd respectively. The Fortune editors compiled the list based on company size and health; in addition to an executive's career path, influence, innovation, and efforts to make business better. The 2025 list includes 52 women from the United States of America and 48 from other countries as follows: eight from China; seven each from France and the United Kingdom; three each from Germany, Singapore and Brazil; two each from Australia, Hong Kong, Japan and Spain; and one each from Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates. Chief Operator at Costco and merchant Claudine Adamo, who ranked 43rd, is one of 16 newcomers. She helped millions of Americans navigate inflation by keeping prices low on essentials, and the next-gen execs such as ByteDance CFO Julie Gao (81st), who steered the finances of the TikTok owner through its tangles with the US government. Following are the top 10 Most Powerful Women in Business in 2025: 1. Mary Barra, Chair and CEO, GM (U.S.) 2. Julie Sweet, Chair and CEO, Accenture (U.S.) 3. Jane Fraser, CEO, Citigroup (U.S.) 4. Lisa Su, Chair and CEO, AMD (U.S.) 5. Ana Botín, Executive Chairman, Banco Santander (Spain) 6. Tan Su Shan, Deputy CEO and Group Head of Institutional Banking, DBS Group (Singapore) 7. Thasunda Brown Duckett, President and CEO, TIAA (U.S.) 8. Marta Ortega, Chairperson, Inditex (Spain) 9. Abigail Johnson, Chairman and CEO, Fidelity Investments (U.S.) 10. Meng Wanzhou, Deputy Chairwoman, Rotating Chairwoman, and CFO, Huawei (China)
Mid East Info
20-05-2025
- Business
- Mid East Info
Two GCC Finance Leaders Make Fortune 2025 100 Most Powerful Women in Business List - Middle East Business News and Information
Hana Al Rostamani, Group CEO at First Abu Dhabi Bank and Shaikha Al-Bahar, Deputy Group Chief Executive Officer at National Bank of Kuwait, named among world's leading businesswomen. Announcement coincides with the inaugural Fortune Most Powerful Women International Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia- Fortune's first international summit in the region. NEW YORK, May 20, 2025—Two of the GCC's most influential banking executives are featured in Fortune's 2025 edition of the Most Powerful Women in Business list. The 28th edition of the list honors 100 female leaders from the global business landscape—spotlighting those who hold power now and those on the rise to even greater influence. This year's iteration features 52 women from the U.S. and 48 from other countries—8 from China; 7 each from France and the U.K.; 3 each from Germany, Singapore, and Brazil; and 2 each from Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, and Spain, and one each from Kuwait and United Arab Emirates. Hana Al Rostamani, Group CEO at First Abu Dhabi Bank, and Shaikha Al-Bahar, Deputy Group Chief Executive Officer at National Bank of Kuwait, are ranked 76th and 92nd, respectively. As the Group CEO of the UAE's largest lender – a bank with roughly $330 billion in assets – Al Rostamani is currently the only female chief executive of a publicly listed corporation in the Emirates. She serves on several boards, including the Institute of International Finance, the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council, and Buna, the Arab Monetary Fund's cross-border payment system. Al-Bahar was named Deputy Group CEO of the National Bank of Kuwait in 2014 after joining the institution in 1977. She is chair of the National Bank of Kuwait-France and the National Bank of Kuwait-Egypt as well as a board member with National Bank of Kuwait (International), the bank's UK subsidiary. Al-Bahar is credited with launching NBK RISE, a program designed to empower women leaders and prepare them for senior leadership roles. With over $135 billion in total assets at the end of March 2025, the National Bank of Kuwait is one of the largest financial institutions in the country and one of the leading banks in the region. In fiscal 2024, the bank's net profit rose 7% year-over-year to $1.9 billion while net operating income grew 7.2% to $4.1 billion. The list, compiled by Fortune editors is based on company size and health, as well as an executive's career trajectory, influence, innovation, and efforts to make business better. More than 50 women currently lead Fortune 500 companies, yet only 20 made this year's list—a testament to how increasingly competitive the ranking has become. 'In its 28th year, this iconic list of powerful women includes almost half from outside of the U.S., reminding us that the impact of women is being seen globally,' said Alyson Shontell, Fortune Editor in Chief and Chief Content Officer. 'These are women transforming business today and preparing for a future during a time of tumult and uncertainty.' There are 16 newcomers, including Costco's chief operator and merchant Claudine Adamo (No. 43), helping millions of Americans navigate inflation by keeping prices low on essentials, and next-gen execs such as Julie Gao, CFO of ByteDance (No. 81), steering the TikTok owner's finances through its tangles with the U.S. government. The top 10 Most Powerful Women in Business 2025 are: Mary Barra, Chair and CEO, GM (U.S.) Julie Sweet, Chair and CEO, Accenture (U.S.) Jane Fraser, CEO, Citigroup (U.S.) Lisa Su, Chair and CEO, AMD (U.S.) Ana Botín, Executive Chairman, Banco Santander (Spain) Tan Su Shan, Deputy CEO and Group Head of Institutional Banking, DBS Group (Singapore) Thasunda Brown Duckett, President and CEO, TIAA (U.S.) Marta Ortega, Chairperson, Inditex (Spain) Abigail Johnson, Chairman and CEO, Fidelity Investments (U.S.) Meng Wanzhou, Deputy Chairwoman, Rotating Chairwoman, and CFO, Huawei (China) 'This definitive ranking of the women at the top of the global business world…tells us both who wields power today and who is poised to climb even higher tomorrow,' writes Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune senior writer, author of Most Powerful Women Daily newsletter, and editor of the 100 Most Powerful Women in Business list of 2025. Today's MPW 100 list debut coincides with the inaugural Fortune Most Powerful Women International Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia — Fortune's first international summit in the region. About Fortune: Fortune is a global multi-platform media company built on a legacy of trusted, award-winning reporting and information for those who want to make business better. Independently owned, Fortune tells the stories of the world's biggest companies and their leaders as well as a new generation of innovators who are moving business forward. Digitally and in print, Fortune measures corporate performance through rigorous benchmarks, and holds companies accountable, in regions around the world. Its iconic rankings include Fortune 500, Fortune Global 500, Most Powerful Women, and World's Most Admired Companies. Fortune builds world-class communities by convening industry thought leaders for exclusive summits and conferences, including the Fortune Global Forum and Brainstorm Tech.
Kuwait Times
19-05-2025
- Business
- Kuwait Times
Shaikha Al-Bahar: PPP is a national necessity and key pillar in realizing Kuwait Vision 2035
NBK Deputy Group CEO delivers a keynote speech at 'Third Kuwait PPP Conference' KUWAIT: Shaikha Al-Bahar, Deputy Group CEO of National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) stated that Public-Private Partnership (PPP) has become a national necessity, emphasizing that it represents the cornerstone of Kuwait's future economic and developmental trajectory. Al-Bahar noted that PPP projects are a key pillar in realizing Kuwait Vision 2035 and the country's broader development objectives, contributing to the creation of sustainable value for the national economy. Her remarks were delivered during the opening of the 'Third Kuwait PPP Conference (PPPKW3)' held under the patronage and in the presence of Noura Al-Fassam—Minister of Finance, Minister of State for Economic Affairs and Investment, and Chair of the Higher Committee for Public-Private Partnership Projects—with the participation of public and private sector institutions, alongside key regulatory authorities. In her address, Al-Bahar highlighted that Kuwait's PPP model offers promising opportunities, particularly in the energy, infrastructure, logistics, and healthcare sectors. She pointed out that such partnerships can play a vital role in diversifying Kuwait's economy by fostering cooperation in sectors such as renewable energy, technology, and tourism—opening new avenues for growth, generating job opportunities for Kuwaiti youth, and enhancing Kuwait's regional competitiveness. Long-term partnership 'At NBK, we take pride in being a long-standing partner in Kuwait's national development journey, having financed and supported some of the largest infrastructure and public sector projects in the country's history. As Kuwait's leading financial institution, we remain steadfast in our commitment to advancing partnership initiatives by leveraging our deep market insight, decades of experience, and robust network of international partners to drive successful project financing and execution.' Eng Noura Al-Fassam (left) and Shaikha Al-Bahar. Shaikha Al-Bahar delivers her speech at the opening of the conference. Shaikha Al-Bahar at NBK's pavilion at the exhibition held alongside the conference. Minister of Finance Eng Noura Al-Fassam honors Shaikha Al-Bahar. She explained that NBK's role is not limited to financing but extends to combining regional expertise, investor confidence, and collaborative efforts to propel the progress and prosperity of the national economy. She emphasized the bank's unwavering commitment to this role, noting its contribution to facilitating the success of partnership projects through innovative financing solutions, advisory services, and capital markets offerings. She also reiterated NBK's full readiness to support upcoming partnership initiatives—particularly those focused on sustainability, which the bank considers among its top strategic priorities. Huge potential Despite Kuwait's abundant financial resources, Al-Bahar emphasized that navigating the accelerating global complexities requires an innovative approach and a strong framework that leverages the private sector's efficiency, expertise, and capital to fund world-class infrastructure, enhance public services, and drive economic diversification. She underscored Kuwait's immense potential to build a future-ready economy underpinned by cutting-edge infrastructure. She added that partnership projects have the potential to take the lead in key sectors, including transportation, smart cities, social development, healthcare, education, housing, renewable energy, technology, and tourism. Regulatory framework 'To ensure the continued success of partnership projects and to maximize their effectiveness in driving national economic growth, it is essential to develop a solid regulatory framework, and a supportive environment built on streamlined decision-making, well-defined legal structures, and transparent procedures,' Al-Bahar stated. She stressed that ongoing dialogue and cooperation between the public and private sectors are vital to improving these frameworks and fostering an environment conducive to successful partnerships. Furthermore, Al-Bahar praised the recent regulatory reforms and Kuwait Public-Private Partnership Authority's efforts to streamline procedures and foster viable partnership models. She recognized that these advancements are crucial for enhancing Kuwait's competitiveness, while also highlighting challenges related to regulatory clarity, governance, and risk-sharing. She called on all relevant stakeholders to act swiftly and collaboratively to address these issues and attract both local and international investments. She further stated that PPPs should evolve beyond traditional infrastructure to encompass areas such as education, digital transformation, healthcare technology, and renewable energy. She reaffirmed NBK's commitment to playing a central role in this journey by mobilizing capital, fostering innovation, and advancing sustainable development in line with Kuwait Vision 2035. Al-Bahar concluded her speech by addressing attendees from both the public and private sectors, stating: 'Let us seize this opportunity as a starting point for collective responsibility in shaping a future where innovation flourishes and the well-being of our beloved country is safeguarded. Together—government, private sector, and financial institutions—let us work to build a stronger, more diversified, and inclusive Kuwaiti economy.' Kuwait 3rd Conference for Public-Private Partnership, held over two days, brings together a wealth of international, regional, and local expertise. The event's program provides valuable insights into best practices, industry standards, and practical experiences in PPPs, equipping stakeholders to address potential challenges and empowering relevant authorities to identify and implement effective solutions.
