The Banking Executive Magazine - December 2025 Issue

66 Arab Banks Among the Top 1,000 World Banks ANALYSIS: Saudi Arabia emerges as the clear leader in Tier 1 capital, with 10 banks amassing $154 billion, under- lining their central role in financing Vision 2030 initiatives and regional mega-projects. The UAE, with 16 banks totaling $117.5 billion, high- lights the country’s broad-based banking landscape and its strategy of global connectivity. Qatar’s $61.4 billion capital base demonstrates the scale of its banks relative to the country’s size, partic- ularly through QNB. Kuwait’s $39 billion Tier 1 total underscores its sta- ble financial system, while Morocco, Oman, and Bahrain provide strong regional diversity. Jordan, Egypt, and Lebanon add further representation, ensuring that Arab banks are visible across North Africa and the Levant, not solely within the Gulf. CONCLUSION The 2025 rankings reaffirm the Arab banking sector’s role as a pillar of re- silience and growth in an unsettled global economy. The region’s top banks continue to demonstrate strength in capital adequacy, asset growth, and profitability, enabling them to serve as engines of eco- nomic development while embrac- ing innovation in digital banking and sustainable finance. The concentration of financial power in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar underscores the GCC’s global signif- icance, yet the contributions from Kuwait, Morocco, Oman, Bahrain, Jordan, Egypt, and Lebanon enrich the sector’s diversity. Collectively, these 66 Arab banks highlight a story of strategic depth, financial sound- ness, and future readiness. As the global economy faces contin- ued uncertainty, Arab banks remain steadfast — not only as defenders of regional stability but also as active participants in shaping the evolving architecture of international finance. ISSUE 204 DECEMBER 2025 the BANKING EXECUTIVE 43 ANALYSIS: Qatar National Bank maintains its status as the region’s largest bank by assets, surpassing $356 billion, re- flecting its regional dominance and international footprint. First Abu Dhabi Bank follows with $330 bil- lion, cementing the UAE’s place as a critical financial hub. Saudi National Bank, Emirates NBD, and Al Rajhi Bank round out the top five, each boasting asset portfolios above $250 billion. Notably, Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank’s assets reached $177.7 billion, reflecting strong corporate lending and infrastructure financing. The presence of NBK emphasizes Kuwait’s stable banking sector, while Riyad Bank, SAB, and Banque Saudi Fransi confirm Saudi Arabia’s deep fi- nancial base. This balance between scale and diversification underpins the sector’s ability to absorb shocks and sustain regional growth. Country Representation of the Top Arab Banks (2025) Saudi Arabia UAE Qatar Kuwait Morocco Oman Bahrain Jordan Egypt Lebanon 154,063 117,468 61,383 38,983 16,979 13,017 12,929 10,771 5,058 819 Country 10 16 8 8 6 5 6 4 2 1 Number of Banks Total Tier 1 Capital (USD m)