63 GCC Banks Featured in the «First Bank» Ranking of the Top 100 Arab Banks by Capital Size

A recent ranking by «First Bank» of the top 100 Arab banks by capital size as of September 2025 highlighted the strong dominance of GCC banks, which secured 63 positions within the list, with a combined capital of 131.60 USD bn, accounting for nearly 89% of the total capital of the banks under review. This reflects the strength of their capital bases and financial positioning.

The ranking methodology was based on banks’ total capital as stated in their financial position statements, denominated in USD bn, providing a standardized comparison across banking institutions. Banks lacking officially disclosed financial data were excluded to ensure accuracy and reliability. The ranking covered parent banking groups across Arab countries, excluding their foreign subsidiaries.

At the country level, UAE banks led in terms of representation, with 18 banks, recording a combined capital of 19.21 USD bn by the end of September 2025. These included: «First Abu Dhabi Bank», «Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank», «Dubai Islamic Bank», «Emirates NBD», «Emirates Islamic Bank», «Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank», «Sharjah Islamic Bank», «Investment Corporation of Dubai Bank», «United Arab Bank», «Bank of Sharjah», «Commercial Bank of Dubai», «Ajman Bank», «National Bank of Fujairah», «National Bank of Ras Al Khaimah», «Mashreq Bank», «Umm Al Qaiwain National Bank», «Commercial Bank International – UAE», and «Emirates Investment Bank».

Although Saudi banks ranked second in terms of number with 10 banks, they outperformed in total capital, reaching 69.56 USD bn, accounting for nearly 47% of the total capital of the top 100 banks. These included: «Saudi National Bank», «Al Rajhi Bank», «Riyad Bank», «Banque Saudi Fransi», «Alinma Bank», «Saudi Awwal Bank», «Arab National Bank», «Bank Albilad», «Bank Aljazira», and «Saudi Investment Bank».

Bahraini banks also secured 10 positions, with a total capital of 9.13 USD bn by the end of September 2025. These included: «Bank ABC», «Gulf International Bank», «Al Baraka Banking Group», «Al Salam Bank», «National Bank of Bahrain», «Bank of Bahrain and Kuwait», «Bahrain Islamic Bank», «Ithmaar Bank», «United Gulf Bank», and «Bahrain Development Bank».

For Kuwait and Qatar, both countries recorded 9 banks each, though a gap appeared in total capital. Kuwaiti banks reached 16.53 USD bn, including: «Kuwait Finance House», «National Bank of Kuwait», «Warba Bank», «Boubyan Bank», «Gulf Bank», «Burgan Bank», «Al Ahli Bank of Kuwait», «Commercial Bank of Kuwait», and «Kuwait International Bank».

Meanwhile, Qatari banks recorded around 10.55 USD bn, including: «Al Rayan Bank», «Qatar National Bank», «Dukhan Bank», «Commercial Bank of Qatar», «Doha Bank», «Ahli Bank», «Qatar Islamic Bank», «Qatar International Islamic Bank», and «Lesha Bank».

On the other hand, Omani banks recorded the lowest representation within GCC countries, with 7 banks and total capital of 6.61 USD bn by the end of September 2025. These included: «Bank Muscat», «Sohar International Bank», «Bank Dhofar», «Ahli Bank Oman», «Bank Nizwa», «National Bank of Oman», and «Alizz Islamic Bank».

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