The Big Numbers Race: ANB, QIB compete for the Arab top 20

The one-place gap between Arab National Bank (ANB) and Qatar Islamic Bank (QIB) at the threshold of the Arab top 20 masks a wider divergence in balance-sheet scale, with ANB’s faster growth across key financial portfolios over the past three years extending its lead over its Qatari rival.

According to H1 2026 data, ANB ranks 20th among Arab banks, while QIB occupies 21st place.

Based on the banks’ consolidated financial statements, ANB’s total assets stood at USD 78.65bn at end-June 2026, compared with USD 64.24bn for QIB.

ANB’s customer deposits reached USD 57.96bn at end-June 2026, against USD 40.67bn for QIB over the same period.

In lending, ANB reported net loans of USD 54.77bn at end-June 2026, compared with USD 42.93bn for QIB.

The differences extend beyond their current scale, as ANB recorded faster growth across its key financial portfolios between end-2023 and end-June 2026, widening the gaps between the two banks rather than narrowing them.

ANB’s total assets grew 33.7 per cent over the period, compared with 23.6 per cent at QIB. As a result, the asset gap widened to USD 14.42bn at end-June 2026, from USD 6.90bn at end-2023.

In deposits, ANB recorded cumulative growth of approximately 31 per cent, compared with 22.6 per cent at QIB. The gap between their customer deposit portfolios consequently widened to USD 17.29bn at end-June 2026, from USD 11.06bn at end-2023.

ANB also recorded faster lending growth of approximately 34.9 per cent, against 27.7 per cent at QIB. The difference between their loan portfolios increased to USD 11.84bn at end-June 2026, from USD 6.98bn at end-2023.

Profitability reveals a different competitive dynamic

ANB reported net profit of USD 740.32mn in the first half of 2026, with a return on average assets (ROAA) of 1.93 per cent and a return on average equity (ROAE) of 10.90 per cent over the same period.

QIB, meanwhile, recorded net profit of USD 610.79mn in H1 2026, with ROAA of 1.96 per cent and ROAE of 13.02 per cent.

These indicators reveal contrasting strengths in the competition between the two banks. ANB maintains a substantial lead across the key financial portfolios and has recorded faster growth over the past three years, widening its lead over its Qatari rival.

QIB, however, reported higher returns on both average assets and average equity during the first half of 2026.

ANB’s ability to retain 20th place will hinge on sustaining its growth momentum, while QIB would need to outpace its Saudi rival to narrow the gap and secure a place among the 20 largest Arab banks.

The pace of expansion in the coming periods will determine whether ANB retains its place among the 20 largest Arab banks or QIB narrows the gap to challenge its position.