Big Numbers Race: A Major Shift in the Bahraini Banking Sector.. «Gulf International Bank» Seizes the Lead from «ABC»

The Bahraini banking sector is witnessing a noticeable transformation in the map of competition, especially amid the rising intensity of rivalry between Gulf International Bank and Arab Banking Corporation «ABC» for the lead in the Bahraini banking sector.

In this context, this episode of «Big Numbers Race» addresses the competition between the two banks for the title of «Largest Bank in Bahrain». The data reflects a relative convergence in the size of assets, deposits, and financing, alongside variations in profitability indicators and the capital base, making the scene more dynamic and open to reshaping.

According to 2025 data, Gulf International Bank seized the lead in the Bahraini banking sector in terms of the size of the financial position, while Arab Banking Corporation «ABC» came in second place.

The total assets of Gulf International Bank reached 51.82 USD bn by the end of 2025, compared to 49.91 USD bn for «ABC» at the end of the same year.

This superiority extends to the deposit base, where «Gulf International Bank»’s portfolio reached 36.10 USD bn by the end of 2025, compared to 26.49 USD bn for «ABC» at the end of the same year.

On the credit activity level, Arab Banking Corporation «ABC» topped with net loans of 20.66 USD bn by the end of 2025, compared to 16.55 USD bn for Gulf International Bank at the end of the same year.

The features of the transformation in the competition map become clearer when analyzing growth rates over the last 3 years, specifically during the period from the end of 2022 to the end of 2025. Gulf International Bank recorded total growth in its assets of 58.7%, compared to 36.2% for «ABC» during the same period.

This enabled Gulf International Bank to surpass its competitor by the end of the fourth quarter of 2025. However, the ranking of the two banks remains subject to change, supported by the small difference in asset size of approximately 1.91 USD bn at the end of 2025, amid growth dynamics capable of reshaping the scene.

Gulf International Bank also strengthened its lead in customer deposits, after achieving total growth of 64.5% over the last 3 years, compared to 23.8% for «ABC» during the same period.

This was reflected in widening the gap between the two banks to 9.60 USD bn by the end of 2025, compared to 545 USD mn at the end of 2022.

On the financing level, despite Gulf International Bank recording strong growth of 44% over the last 3 years, compared to 13.6% for «ABC» during the same period, the latter still maintains the lead in loan volume, with the gap between the two banks shrinking from 6.69 USD bn at the end of 2022 to 4.12 USD bn at the end of 2025.

On the profitability front, the strength of Arab Banking Corporation «ABC»’s business model stands out, which recorded net profits of 327 USD mn during 2025, with a return on assets of 0.68% and a return on equity of 6.62%.

In contrast, Gulf International Bank achieved net profits of 216 USD mn, with a return on assets of 0.46% and a return on equity of 5.57% during 2025. This reflects a greater focus on expansion and growth compared to maximizing returns.

On the capital base level, Arab Banking Corporation «ABC» shows clear superiority, as its capital reached approximately 3.10 USD bn, compared to 2 USD bn for Gulf International Bank by the end of 2025. This gives it greater flexibility in supporting future expansion.

The financial indicators of the two banks reflect that the competition between them takes a dual character; where Gulf International Bank succeeds in consolidating its lead in terms of growth speed over the last 3 years, the size of the financial position, and the customer deposit base, while Arab Banking Corporation «ABC» maintains a relative superiority in the volume of financing, alongside a clear lead in profitability and strength of the capital base.

In light of this balance, Gulf International Bank’s lead appears driven by growth momentum, but it remains a “relatively fragile” lead, compared to a more stable and profitable model at Arab Banking Corporation «ABC». This keeps the competition open between two different models: the first betting on expansion, and the second on return quality.