{{Short description|Financial institution in Kuwait}} {{Distinguish|Central Bank of Kuwait}} {{Infobox company | traded_as = NBK | native_name = بنك الكويت الوطني | logo = | type = Public| | founders = Consortium of Kuwaiti merchants | foundation = {{start date and age|1952}} | location = Kuwait City, Kuwait | key_people = Hamad Mohammed Al Bahar (Chairman) Isam Al Sager (Group CEO) Shaikha Al Bahar (Deputy Group CEO) Salah Al Fulaij (CEO - Kuwait) | industry = Financial services | products = Credit cards, consumer banking, corporate banking, finance and insurance, investment banking, mortgage loans, private banking, private equity, savings, Securities, asset management, wealth management | revenue = {{profit}} KWD 906.32 million (2021) | operating_income = {{profit}} KWD 547.37 million (2021) | net_income = {{profit}} KWD 362.25 million (2021) | assets = {{profit}} KWD 33.25 billion (2021) | num_employees = {{profit}} 6,058 (2017) | homepage = {{URL|https://www.nbk.com/}} }}
The '''National Bank of Kuwait''' ('''NBK''') is a multinational bank headquartered in Kuwait City. It was established in 1952<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) {{!}} Devex |url=https://www.devex.com/organizations/national-bank-of-kuwait-nbk-121322 |access-date=2024-01-29 |website=www.devex.com}}</ref> and operates 142 branches across 13 countries,<ref name=":2" /> at least seven of which are in the Middle East.<ref>{{Cite web |title=National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) - 50 Most Valuable Banks 2023 - Forbes Lists |url=https://www.forbesmiddleeast.com/lists/50-most-valuable-banks-2023/national-bank-of-kuwait-nbk/ |access-date=2024-12-04 |website=Forbes}}</ref> It also offers alternative investments through its NBK Capital subsidiary, which, since its establishment in 2005, has allocated over $91 billion worth of investment banking mandates as of November 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |title=National Bank of Kuwait {{!}} Company Overview & News |url=https://www.forbes.com/companies/national-bank-of-kuwait/ |access-date=2024-01-29 |website=Forbes |language=en}}</ref>
== History == NBK began as small, local bank<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=The end of an era at National Bank of Kuwait |url=https://www.thebanker.com/content/8593b254-6fc3-5dd1-9c8d-f2deca3cf3ba |access-date=2026-05-04 |website=The Banker |language=en|date=2015-04-01|last=Timewell|first=Stephen}}</ref> in 1952. It was the "first indigenous bank and the first shareholding company" in the Gulf region.<ref name=":0" /> In 1961, banker Ibrahim Dabdoub joined NBK. He would become head of credit in 1969 and chief executive in 1983, leading NBK through the crash of the Souk Al-Manakh in 1982 and the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in 1990.<ref name=":1" />
By 1992, NBK had operations in London and then Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Iraq. By 2014, NBK had offices located in 16 countries, including China and the United States.<ref name=":1" /> That same year, Isam Jasem Al-Sager, who originally joined NBK in 1978, became chief executive officer (CEO)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mughal |first=Waqar |title=Isam Jasem Al-Sager |url=https://www.forbesmiddleeast.com/lists/top-100-ceos-2023/isam-jasem-al-sager/ |access-date=2026-05-05 |website=Forbes Lists |language=en-US}}</ref> and Shaikha Khaled Al Bahar became Deputy Group CEO,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mughal |first=Waqar |title=Shaikha Khaled Al Bahar |url=https://www.forbesmiddleeast.com/lists/100-most-powerful-businesswomen-2025/shaikha-khaled-al-bahar/ |access-date=2026-05-05 |website=Forbes Lists |language=en-US}}</ref> having joined the bank in 1977 while Ibrahim Dabdoub retired.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Shaikha Al-Bahar {{!}} 2025 Most Powerful Women |url=https://fortune.com/ranking/most-powerful-women/2025/shaikha-al-bahar/ |access-date=2026-05-05 |website=Fortune |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":1" />
In 2019, NBK began increasing its market share in Egypt.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-04-21 |title=NBK to increase its share market in Egyptian retail sector |url=https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/3/68654/NBK-to-increase-its-share-market-in-Egyptian-retail-sector |access-date=2026-05-05 |website=EgyptToday}}</ref> In December 2022, through its partnership with Kuwait Airways (KAC), NBK opened a new branch in KAC's headquarters.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Team |first=Editorial |date=2022-12-20 |title=NBK opens new branch at KAC Headquarters |url=https://intlbm.com/2022/12/20/nbk-opens-a-new-branch-at-kac-headquarters/ |access-date=2026-05-05 |website=INTLBM |language=en-US}}</ref> In April 2024, NBK's wealth management arm (NBK Wealth) partnered with British-American investment firm Janus Henderson, joining its emerging markets private capital division.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Battersby |first=Mark |date=2024-05-03 |title=Janus Henderson strikes strategic partnership with wealth arm of National Bank of Kuwait |url=https://www.international-adviser.com/janus-henderson-strikes-strategic-partnership-with-wealth-arm-of-national-bank-of-kuwait/ |access-date=2026-05-04 |language=en-GB}}</ref>
In July 2024, NBK appointed Peter Kelly as Deputy Head of Group Human Resources.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Khan |first=Anjum |date=2024-07-22 |title=Peter Kelly joins National Bank of Kuwait as Deputy Head of Group HR |url=https://me.peoplemattersglobal.com/news/appointments/peter-kelly-joins-national-bank-of-kuwait-as-deputy-head-of-group-hr-42125 |access-date=2026-05-05 |website=People Matters |language=en}}</ref> In December of that year, NBK acquired a 51% stake in UPayments, an electronic payment and settlement services company in Kuwait.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-12-06 |title=بنك الكويت الوطني يستحوذ على 51% من UPayments للمدفوعات الإلكترونية - جولة |url=https://jawlah.co/en/37748 |access-date=2026-05-04 |language=en-US}}</ref> In November 2025, NBK partnered with fintech company AZ eWallet for services including BIN sponsorship, Virtual IBAN, and QR ATM cashless withdrawals<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=2025-11-19 |title=NBK and AZ eWallet partnership drives fintech innovation |url=https://kuwaittimes.com/article/35941/business/nbk-and-az-ewallet-partnership-drives-fintech-innovation/ |access-date=2026-05-04 |website=Kuwait Times |language=en}}</ref> and NBK launched its fintech Services.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Towner |first=Lauren |date=2025-11-17 |title=NBK Launches Fintech Services to Advance Kuwait’s Digital Economy and Promote Financial Inclusion |url=https://ffnews.com/newsarticle/fintech/nbk-launches-fintech-services-to-advance-kuwaits-digital-economy-and-promote-financial-inclusion/ |access-date=2026-05-04 |website=FF News {{!}} Fintech Finance |language=en}}</ref> In December that year, NBK launched its mobile banking app.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Onyeagoro |first=Jennifer |date=2025-12-09 |title=National Bank of Kuwait Launches Enhanced Mobile Banking App to Elevate Customer Experience |url=https://techafricanews.com/2025/12/09/national-bank-of-kuwait-launches-enhanced-mobile-banking-app-to-elevate-customer-experience/ |access-date=2026-05-04 |website=TechAfrica News |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=2026-03-24 |title=NBK launches enhanced Mobile Banking App - kuwaitTimes |url=https://kuwaittimes.com/article/41346/business/nbk-launches-enhanced-mobile-banking-app/ |access-date=2026-05-04 |website=Kuwait Times |language=en}}</ref>
In January 2026, NBK revamped its online banking platform.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Onyeagoro |first=Jennifer |date=2026-01-12 |title=NBK Introduces New Online Platform With Smarter Interface and Faster Transactions |url=https://techafricanews.com/2026/01/12/nbk-introduces-new-online-platform-with-smarter-interface-and-faster-transactions/ |access-date=2026-05-04 |website=TechAfrica News |language=en-US}}</ref> In April 2026, it was announced that NBK was shutting down its headquarters in Kuwait and its Sudan branch for two days due to strikes by Iran during the Middle East War.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=2026-04-01 |title=National Bank of Kuwait shuts headquarters amid Iran attacks |url=https://www.omanobserver.om/article/1187085/world/region/national-bank-of-kuwait-shuts-headquarters-amid-iran-attacks |access-date=2026-05-04 |website=Oman Observer |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=2026-04-01 |title=National Bank of Kuwait HQ to Remain Closed for 2 Days |url=https://www.arabtimesonline.com/news/national-bank-of-kuwait-hq-to-remain-closed-for-2-days/ |access-date=2026-05-04 |website=arabtimes |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2026-04-03 |title=Kuwait's NBK headquarters to resume operations on April 5 |url=https://www.zawya.com/en/business/banking-and-insurance/kuwaits-nbk-headquarters-to-resume-operations-on-april-5-kpq8hapc |access-date=2026-05-04 |website=www.zawya.com |language=en}}</ref> == Financial performance == NBK's net profits reached $1.073 billion in 2010, $1.075 billion in 2011, and $1.085 billion in 2012.<ref name=":1" /> In 2022, the National Bank of Kuwait posted a net profit of US$1.7 billion.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mansoor |first=Zainab |date=2023-01-30 |title=National Bank of Kuwait reports $1.7bn in net profit for 2022 |url=https://gulfbusiness.com/national-bank-of-kuwait-reports-1-7bn-in-net-profit-for-2022/,%20https://gulfbusiness.com/national-bank-of-kuwait-reports-1-7bn-in-net-profit-for-2022/ |access-date=2023-01-31 |language=en-US}}</ref>
== Awards and recognition == In July 2025, NBK's Vice Chairman and Group CEO, Issam Jassim AlSager was included in ''Gulf Business''<nowiki/>'s "MENA region’s most influential CEOs of 2025" list.<ref>{{Cite web |title=MENA region’s most influential CEOs of 2025 |url=https://gulfbusiness.com/en/2025/lists/mena-regions-most-influential-ceos-of-2025/isam-jassim-alsager |access-date=2026-05-04 |website=gulfbusiness.com |language=en}}</ref>
The National Bank of Kuwait was ranked seventh on ''Forbes Middle East''<nowiki/>'s "30 Most Valuable Banks 2025" list.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mughal |first=Waqar |title=30 Most Valuable Banks 2025 |url=https://www.forbesmiddleeast.com/lists/30-most-valuable-banks-2025/national-bank-of-kuwait-nbk-group/ |access-date=2026-05-03 |website=Forbes Lists |language=en-US}}</ref> It also ranked 18th on ''Forbes Middle East''<nowiki/>'s "Top 100 Listed Companies 2025" list.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Mughal |first=Waqar |title=National Bank of Kuwait (NBK Group) |url=https://www.forbesmiddleeast.com/lists/top-100-listed-companies-2025/national-bank-of-kuwait-nbk-group/ |access-date=2026-05-04 |website=Forbes Lists |language=en-US}}</ref>
For 2025, NBK won the "Best Retail Bank in the field of Customer Service" award as part of Service Hero's consumer-driven Customer Satisfaction Index.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=2026-04-15 |title=NBK wins Kuwait’s Best Retail Bank in Customer Service in 2025 by Service Hero - kuwaitTimes |url=https://kuwaittimes.com/article/42364/business/nbk-wins-kuwaits-best-retail-bank-in-customer-service-in-2025-by-service-hero/ |access-date=2026-05-04 |website=Kuwait Times |language=en}}</ref>
In April 2026, NBK won the "Fueling Your Growth" Award at the 2026 Emplifi Excellence Awards.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=2026-04-25 |title=NBK wins ‘Fueling Your Growth’ award at the 2026 Emplifi Excellence Awards |url=https://kuwaittimes.com/article/42787/business/nbk-wins-fueling-your-growth-award-at-the-2026-emplifi-excellence-awards/ |access-date=2026-05-04 |website=Kuwait Times |language=en}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *{{Official website|http://www.nbk.com/}} *[https://www.bloomberg.com/Research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=21983 Company Overview Report On Bloomberg]
{{Authority control}}
Category:Banks established in 1952 Category:Banks of Kuwait Category:Companies based in Kuwait City Category:Kuwaiti companies established in 1952 Category:Companies listed on the Boursa Kuwait