FirstBank ranks the 10 largest Arab banks by assets at end-June 2026

The 10 largest Arab banks remained unchanged, although several members shifted positions as relatively narrow gaps in asset size meant that modest differences in growth were enough to reshape the ranking.

H1 2026 data show that competition at the top of the Arab banking sector has become increasingly sensitive to differences in growth rates. Qatar National Bank (QNB) regained first place after its assets rose 3.7 per cent, or USD 14.05 billion, to USD 394.72 billion at end-June 2026 from USD 380.67 billion at end-2025.

QNB’s return to the top pushed First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) into second place.

FAB recorded more moderate asset growth of just 0.4 per cent, adding USD 1.34 billion over the same period to reach USD 383.57 billion at end-June 2026, compared with USD 382.23 billion at end-2025. The slower pace of growth was not enough to preserve its lead against a faster-growing rival.

Emirates NBD recorded the fastest asset growth among the 10 largest banks, with assets rising 13.6 per cent, or USD 43.04 billion, during the first six months of 2026. Its assets reached USD 360.08 billion at end-June, up from USD 317.04 billion at end-2025, lifting the bank from fourth to third place.

As a result, Saudi National Bank (SNB) slipped to fourth place at end-June 2026 from third at end-2025, despite recording asset growth of about 2.7 per cent. Its assets increased by USD 8.67 billion to USD 331.28 billion from USD 322.61 billion, but the pace of growth was slower than that recorded by Emirates NBD.

Al Rajhi Bank remained fifth, with total assets reaching USD 280.73 billion at end-June 2026 from USD 278.15 billion at end-2025, representing growth of 0.93 per cent and an increase of USD 2.59 billion in H1 2026.

Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB) retained sixth place, with assets rising to USD 226.86 billion at end-June 2026 from USD 210.64 billion at end-2025, up 7.7 per cent or USD 16.21 billion over the period.

National Bank of Egypt (NBE) also remained seventh, with total assets of USD 197.98 billion at end-June 2026.

National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) retained eighth place after its assets reached USD 150.16 billion at end-June 2026, compared with USD 148.14 billion at end-2025, representing growth of 1.4 per cent and an increase of USD 2.01 billion in H1 2026.

The final two positions saw Riyad Bank and Kuwait Finance House (KFH) exchange places. Riyad Bank moved up to ninth at end-June 2026 after its assets increased 2.6 per cent, or USD 3.53 billion, to USD 142.03 billion from USD 138.50 billion at end-2025.

By contrast, KFH slipped to tenth after its assets declined 1.3 per cent in H1 2026 to USD 137.11 billion from USD 138.88 billion at end-2025.

These movements show that competition among the largest Arab banks is no longer determined solely by the absolute size of their asset bases, but increasingly by the pace of growth. With asset levels among the region’s largest banks relatively close, even modest differences in performance can produce clear changes in ranking.