CIB tops major Arab banks with 29.74% ROAE in Q1 2026

Translated & Edited by Aya Elsayed

Commercial International Bank – Egypt (CIB) topped First Bank’s ranking of return on average equity (ROAE) among major Arab banks, with ROAE of 29.74 per cent in Q1 2026.

The result was supported by net profit of USD 325 million, reflecting the bank’s efficiency and ability to generate strong returns on shareholders’ equity.

The ranking tracks ROAE among major Arab banks, defined by FirstBank’s Rankings Centre as banks with total assets exceeding USD 15 billion.

CIB maintained its positive momentum in H1 2026, with ROAE rising to 33.13 per cent alongside net profit of USD 799 million.

The bank delivered strong performance across its key financial indicators in H1 2026, continuing to expand its balance sheet. Total assets rose 13.7 per cent in the first six months of the year to USD 34.24 billion at end-June 2026 from USD 30.11 billion at end-2025.

Its loan portfolio grew at a faster pace, rising 15.5 per cent over the same period to USD 13.02 billion at end-June 2026 from USD 11.27 billion at end-2025.

Growth was not limited to assets and lending, as customer deposits also increased 14.5 per cent in H1 2026 to USD 26.54 billion at end-June from USD 23.17 billion at end-2025.

On profitability, CIB reported net profit of USD 799 million in H1 2026, compared with USD 674 million in H1 2025, representing growth of 18.6 per cent.

Net interest income rose 19.4 per cent to USD 1.23 billion in the first six months of 2026 from USD 1.03 billion in the same period of 2025.

Net fee and commission income increased 41 per cent to USD 117 million in H1 2026 from USD 83 million in the same period of 2025.

CIB’s position at the top of the ranking reflects its ability to deploy its shareholders’ equity base efficiently and translate it into strong profits, reinforcing its position as one of the leading examples of profitability and efficiency among major Arab banks.