QNB reclaims Arab banks' crown, strengthens deposit lead

Qatar National Bank (QNB) Group reclaimed first place in First Bank’s ranking of the 100 largest Arab banks at end-June 2026, after finishing 2025 in second place behind First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB).

The advance was supported by a reported 3.7 per cent increase in total assets during the first half of 2026, reaching USD 394.72bn at end-June, compared with USD 382.23bn at end-2025, returning the group to the top of the ranking.

QNB also retained its lead in First Bank’s ranking of the 100 largest Arab banks by customer deposits. Its deposit base grew 2.2 per cent during the first half of 2026 to USD 267.02bn at end-June, from USD 261.40bn at end-2025.

Alongside growth in assets and deposits, the group’s loan portfolio expanded 2.67 per cent to USD 285.99bn at end-June 2026, compared with USD 278.54bn at end-2025.

Turning to profitability, QNB reported net profit of USD 2.43bn in the first half of 2026, up 3.37 per cent from USD 2.35bn in the corresponding period of 2025.

Profit before income tax rose 6.41 per cent to USD 3.16bn during the first six months of 2026, compared with USD 2.97bn a year earlier.

Profit growth was supported by higher operating income, with net interest income increasing 9.47 per cent to USD 5.19bn in H1 2026, from USD 4.74bn in the corresponding period of 2025.

Fee and commission income also rose approximately 18 per cent to USD 788mn during the first half of 2026, compared with USD 668mn a year earlier.

QNB’s return to the top of Arab banking was underpinned by growth in assets, deposits and loans, alongside stronger operating income, reinforcing its position among the region’s largest banking groups.