Big Numbers Race: «Kuwait Finance House» Competes with «National Bank of Kuwait» for the Title of «Largest Bank in Kuwait»

In a banking market considered one of the most stable in the region, the intensity of competition is escalating between National Bank of Kuwait and Kuwait Finance House for the lead in the Kuwaiti banking sector. The race is no longer based solely on the difference in sizes, but on an increasing convergence in the main indicators that reflects clear shifts in the balance of competition.

In this context, this episode of «Big Numbers Race» addresses the competition between the two banks for the title of «Largest Bank in Kuwait». 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, National Bank of Kuwait still leads the Kuwaiti banking sector in terms of total assets, while Kuwait Finance House comes in second place.

Total assets of «National Bank of Kuwait» reached approximately 148.14 USD bn by the end of 2025, compared to 138.88 USD bn for «Kuwait Finance House» at the end of the same year.

This superiority extends to the deposit base, where National Bank of Kuwait recorded 84.65 USD bn by the end of 2025, compared to 68.30 USD bn for Kuwait Finance House at the end of the same year.

On the financing activity level, «National Bank of Kuwait» continued its lead, with net financing of 87.09 USD bn by the end of 2025, compared to 70.86 USD bn for «Kuwait Finance House» at the end of the same year.

When analyzing growth trends over the last three years (2022-2025), National Bank of Kuwait shows superiority in terms of expansion pace, recording asset growth of 24.7%, compared to 14.9% for Kuwait Finance House.

This performance was reflected in the competition map, as «National Bank of Kuwait» managed to seize the sector’s lead during 2023, after a period of superiority by «Kuwait Finance House», with the race remaining open amid a relatively limited asset gap of approximately 9.27 USD bn by the end of 2025.

Deposit indicators also reflect a shift in the balance of competition, as National Bank of Kuwait achieved strong total growth of 28.3% over 3 years, while Kuwait Finance House recorded a decline of approximately 7.1% during the same period.

This difference in growth pace was reflected in the ranking map, as National Bank of Kuwait managed to surpass its competitor and seize the lead during 2023. However, the ranking of the two banks remains subject to change, with a gap of approximately 16.35 USD bn by the end of 2025.

On the financing side, «National Bank of Kuwait» maintained a faster growth pace, recording an increase of 26.9% over 3 years, compared to 15.1% for Kuwait Finance House during the same period. This widened the financing gap between them to 16.23 USD bn by the end of 2025, compared to only 7.06 USD bn in 2022.

On the profitability level, performance indicators vary between the two banks; National Bank of Kuwait achieved net profits of 2 USD bn during 2025, with a return on assets of 1.43% and a return on equity of 11.40%.

In contrast, Kuwait Finance House recorded higher profits of 2.34 USD bn, with stronger operational efficiency reflected in a return on assets of 1.81%, compared to a return on equity of 10.86% during 2025.

On the capital base level, Kuwait Finance House shows clear superiority, as its capital reached approximately 6 USD bn, compared to 2.84 USD bn for National Bank of Kuwait by the end of 2025. This gives it greater flexibility in supporting future expansion.

The financial indicators of the two banks reflect a competitive scene with dual dimensions; National Bank of Kuwait leads in terms of size and growth speed, while Kuwait Finance House stands out with a relative advantage in profitability and capital strength.

Amid these varying indicators, the final outcome remains dependent on the development of performance balances between the two banks, in an open race whose results could reshape the map of leadership at any time.