Kuwait International Bank (KIB) reported a net profit attributable to shareholders of KD 26.6 million for the first nine months of 2026, marking a 30 percent increase compared to KD 20.4 million in the same period last year. The bank’s earnings per share rose to 13.51 fils from 9.98 fils in the January-September 2025 timeframe. For the third quarter alone, net profits reached approximately KD 9 million, reflecting a 62 percent year-on-year growth.
Sheikh Mohammed Jarrah Al-Sabah, Chairman of KIB, highlighted the bank’s sustained growth amid regional market fluctuations, citing a comprehensive strategy focused on business quality, income diversification, operational efficiency, and prudent risk management. He underscored KIB’s advancement in Islamic banking and capital markets, along with efforts to introduce innovative products and services. Total assets expanded by 8 percent to KD 4.74 billion as of September 30, 2026, driven by an 8 percent increase in the financing portfolio to KD 3.48 billion. The bank’s investment portfolio, including high-quality Sukuk, grew 12 percent to approximately KD 582.7 million.
Raed Jawad Bukhamseen, Vice Chairman and CEO, attributed the strong results to the bank’s continued efforts in building a diversified and resilient business model, investing in human capital, and enhancing technological capabilities. Bukhamseen noted significant expansion in regional capital market activities, reinforcing KIB’s position as a key player in Islamic finance. Net fee and commission income rose 33 percent to KD 10.3 million, while net investment income increased by 4 percent to KD 4.5 million, contributing to a 7 percent growth in total operating income, which reached KD 69 million.
Customer deposits grew modestly by 2 percent to KD 3.08 billion, and shareholders’ equity increased slightly to KD 374 million. The bank maintained a robust total capital adequacy ratio of 20.32 percent, well above regulatory requirements, and a liquidity coverage ratio of 238.1 percent, supporting ongoing growth initiatives.
In September 2026, KIB successfully priced its inaugural $500 million, five-year senior unsecured Sukuk under its $1.5 billion program. The issuance attracted strong investor demand with an order book of $1.2 billion, 2.4 times the offering size, and was priced at a spread of 95 basis points over US Treasury yields, with a profit rate of 5.502 percent per annum. Bukhamseen described the Sukuk issuance as a strategic addition to the bank’s long-term funding base, enhancing liquidity management and reflecting investor confidence in KIB’s international capital market access.
Regionally, KIB’s investment arm, KIB Invest, participated as Joint Lead Manager in the $2.75 billion Sukuk issuance guaranteed by the Saudi government for the Saudi Real Estate Refinance Company. This involvement aligns with the bank’s strategy to strengthen its footprint in regional financial markets and expand relationships with institutional investors.
KIB’s performance has been recognized with several awards, including “Best Bank for Real Estate Banking Services and Innovation in PropTech in Kuwait for 2026” from the World Union of Arab Bankers. The bank also received two Islamic Finance News (IFN) awards for its $300 million Tier 2 Sukuk issuance, recognizing it as the Kuwait Deal of the Year 2025 and Regulatory Deal of the Year 2025.
Looking ahead, KIB’s leadership emphasized their continued commitment to balancing growth, profitability, and risk within a dynamic regional context. Plans include further development of core business lines, diversification of income sources, operational improvements, ongoing investment in technology, and enhancement of customer experiences. Both Sheikh Mohammed Jarrah Al-Sabah and Raed Jawad Bukhamseen expressed gratitude toward the Central Bank of Kuwait and the Capital Markets Authority for their regulatory support, as well as appreciation for the efforts of KIB’s board, management, and staff in achieving these results.