Al Ahli Bank of Kuwait profit climbs 16.2% to 54.2 million dinars

Summary

• Al Ahli Bank of Kuwait posted 54.2 million dinars in nine-month net profit, up 16.2% year-on-year.
• Operating revenue reached 177.5 million dinars as net interest margin widened 24 basis points to 2.50%.
• The bank is moving to lift paid-up capital by 75 million dinars after shareholder approval.

The latest

Nine-month net profit attributable to shareholders reached 54.2 million dinars at Al Ahli Bank of Kuwait, a 16.2% annual increase, according to results published by Al-Anba on 5 November 2026. Earnings per share rose 18.1% to 17.6 fils, and return on average shareholders' equity improved 87 basis points to 9.33%. Asset quality strengthened at the same time.

Details

• The revenue line: Operating revenue came in at 177.5 million dinars, up 7.5%, with net interest income rising 11.3%, according to the results statement. Operating profit reached 100.3 million dinars, a 5.5% increase, a slower pace than revenue growth.
• Margins and costs: Net interest margin widened 24 basis points to 2.50%, the statement said. The cost-to-income ratio edged down to 43.5% from 43.8% at the end of 2025, a narrow improvement that kept more of the revenue gain flowing through to operating profit.
• Asset quality: The non-performing loan ratio fell to 1.19% from 1.29% in September 2025, according to the bank. Provision coverage stood at 355%, and the cost of risk dropped to 0.82% from 1.06% — a material release of pressure on the provisioning line.
• Capital buffers: Capital adequacy stood at 17.25%, common equity tier 1 at 11.94% and total tier 1 at 13.65%, the bank said. The liquidity coverage ratio reached 184% and the net stable funding ratio 118%, both well above regulatory floors.
• Balance sheet: Total assets grew 8.6% to 7.5 billion dinars, while loans and advances rose 10.2% to 5 billion dinars, according to the statement. Customer deposits increased 5.5% to 4.3 billion dinars, expanding more slowly than the loan book.
• The capital raise: Shareholders approved raising authorized capital to 600 million dinars from 274.9 million in September. The bank intends to increase issued and paid-up capital by 75 million dinars, equivalent to 27.29%, bringing it to 349.9 million dinars. No completion date was announced.
• Credit ratings: Moody's rates the bank A2 and Fitch rates it A, both with a stable outlook, according to the results statement — ratings unchanged in the disclosure accompanying the nine-month figures.
• The disclosure: Al-Anba published the results statement on 5 November 2026 in issue 17838. The bank did not break out quarterly figures separately from the nine-month aggregate in the published statement.

Between the lines

Two drivers sit behind the profit jump rather than one. Net interest income rose 11.3% on a wider 2.50% margin, while the cost of risk fell to 0.82% from 1.06%, meaning less revenue was absorbed by provisioning. Loans grew 10.2% against 5.5% deposit growth, which is the gap a 75 million dinar paid-up capital increase would help fund.

What's next

Watch for the Kuwait Stock Exchange filing setting the timetable and mechanism for the 75 million dinar paid-up capital increase, and for full-year 2026 results showing whether the 2.50% net interest margin holds.

Source: Al-Anba