The Banking Executive Magazine - December 2025 Issue

66 Arab Banks Among the Top 1,000 World Banks INTRODUCTION The year 2024 was marked by per- sistent global challenges: geopolitical volatility, inflationary pressures, and uneven economic recovery across developed and emerging markets. Despite this turbulence, the Arab world once again demonstrated no- table resilience. Driven by the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) economies, the region leveraged solid fiscal positions, diversified in- vestment strategies, and robust bank- ing systems to maintain growth momentum. At the heart of this resilience lies the Arab banking sector. Banks across the region have sustained their strong capital bases, expanded asset portfo- lios, and embraced innovation in digital transformation and sustain- able finance. These institutions con- tinue to serve as a cornerstone of economic stability, not only safe- guarding domestic economies from external shocks but also actively fi- nancing national development and diversification agendas. The 2025 rankings reaffirm the central role Arab banks play in supporting eco- nomic growth, modernizing financial markets, and contributing to global stability. OBSERVATIONS • Concentration in the GCC: Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar collectively dominate the regional landscape, accounting for the bulk of Tier 1 capital and assets, under- scoring their pivotal role in Arab banking. • Growth Leaders: Several institutions, notably Emi- rates NBD, Qatar National Bank, and Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, continue to strengthen their capital and asset bases, reflecting steady growth trajectories. • Regional Diversity: While the GCC remains at the fore- front, banks from Morocco, Jordan, Egypt, and Lebanon also feature in the global rankings, reflecting the geographical breadth of Arab banking strength. • Returns & Profitability: The sector demonstrates robust re- turn ratios, with leading banks maintaining profitability even amidst a demanding global envi- ronment. • Sectoral Expansion: The upward trend in aggregate as- sets highlights the continued ex- pansion of the Arab banking industry, both within the region and internationally. ANALYSIS: The Saudi National Bank (SNB) re- tains its commanding lead, with Tier 1 capital exceeding $40.8 billion, underscoring its pivotal role in Saudi Arabia’s financial system and its ca- pacity to support large-scale projects under Vision 2030. Al Rajhi Bank, with $31.5 billion, continues to leverage its strong retail base, while Emirates NBD’s climb to $30.1 bil- lion highlights Dubai’s growing prominence as a global financial hub. Qatar National Bank and First Abu Dhabi Bank follow closely, both reflecting their ability to combine scale with regional influence. ISSUE 204 DECEMBER 2025 the BANKING EXECUTIVE 41 Top 10 Banks by Tier 1 Capital (2025) Rank 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 The Saudi National Bank (SNB) Al Rajhi Bank Emirates NBD Qatar National Bank (QNB) First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) Riyad Bank Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB) Saudi Awwal Bank (SAB) National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) Banque Saudi Fransi Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia UAE Qatar UAE Saudi Arabia UAE Saudi Arabia Kuwait Saudi Arabia 40,812 31,454 30,058 28,832 26,757 18,065 17,093 15,367 13,464 12,591 Bank Country Tier 1 Capital (USD m)