First Bank unveils first-ever ranking of 200 largest banks operating in Arab Region

First Bank has unveiled the inaugural edition of its ranking of the top 200 banks operating across the Arab world, based on total assets denominated in US dollars, covering locally incorporated Arab banks, foreign banks and subsidiaries of international banking groups.

The ranking compares financial data as of June 2026, excluding banks for which relatively recent financial statements were unavailable. It also incorporates estimated figures based on approved statistical models for banks with financial data close to the reporting period.

This approach aims to ensure comprehensive coverage and accurately reflect the overall landscape of banking institutions operating across the Arab world, providing a broader picture of the region's banking sector.

QNB Group topped the ranking, with total assets reaching USD 394.72 bn at the end of June 2026, while First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) secured second place, recording total assets of USD 383.57 bn.

Emirates NBD ranked third, with total assets reaching approximately USD 360.08 bn, while Saudi National Bank (SNB) secured fourth place, recording total assets of USD 331.28 bn at the end of June 2026.

alrajhi bank completed the top five, with total assets amounting to USD 280.73 bn at the end of June 2026, highlighting the continued strong presence of Saudi, UAE and Qatari banking institutions among the Arab world's largest banks.

Clear Gulf dominance across the top 100 banks

Breaking down the ranking into segments, the top 100 banks operating across the Arab world reveal that Gulf banks' dominance extends beyond leading positions to their numerical representation and overall share of total assets.

Banks operating in Gulf countries secured 63 positions among the top 100, with combined assets reaching approximately USD 4.33 tn at the end of June 2026, accounting for around 81 per cent of the group's total assets.

At the country level, the UAE topped the ranking in terms of representation, with 22 banks, while Saudi Arabia and Egypt jointly ranked second, with 10 banks each, although their combined asset sizes differed significantly.

Banks operating in Saudi Arabia recorded total assets of approximately USD 1.28 tn, accounting for 23.89 per cent of the top 100 banks' assets, compared to USD 417.94 bn for Egyptian banks, representing 7.79 per cent.

This disparity reflects differences in the relative weight of banking institutions across Arab markets, as strong representation in the ranking depends not only on the number of banks but also on their financial position.

Kuwait and Morocco followed in terms of the number of banks, with nine institutions each, while Qatar and Bahrain secured eight positions apiece among the top 100 banks operating across the Arab world.

Jordan and Oman each secured six positions, while Lebanon accounted for five banks. Algeria and Tunisia each recorded two banks, compared to one bank each for Sudan, Syria and Palestine.

This distribution highlights the strong dominance of major Gulf banking institutions among the top 100, both in terms of the number of positions and total assets, while the remaining representation is spread across North Africa and the Levant.

The second 100 banks: broader representation and stronger Egyptian and Tunisian presence

The picture changes significantly in the second segment, covering banks ranked from 101 to 200, where competition broadens to include more mid-sized and emerging institutions, alongside Arab markets with limited representation in the first half.

The UAE maintained its leading position in terms of the number of banks, with institutions operating in its market securing 21 positions within the second 100 banks.

Egypt ranked second, with 19 banks, reflecting the strong presence of institutions operating in the Egyptian banking market across the lower half of the ranking, extending beyond major banks into a broader group of mid-sized and emerging institutions.

The diversity also extended beyond the Egyptian market, with Tunisian banks recording a notable presence in the second 100, securing 10 positions, compared to only two positions among the top 100 banks.

Iraq, Palestine and Jordan followed, each securing eight positions within the second 100 banks, highlighting the broader geographical representation of banking institutions across the region.

Iraq's presence was among the most notable developments in this segment, with eight Iraqi banks appearing in positions 101 to 200, compared to no Iraqi banks among the top 100.

Similarly, the expanded ranking allowed for broader representation of the Palestinian banking market, with its presence increasing from one institution among the top 100 to eight institutions in the second 100.

Meanwhile, Bahrain secured six positions, followed by Oman and Algeria with four banks each, while Qatar, Morocco and Lebanon recorded three banks each. Syria accounted for one bank in this segment.

Notably, Saudi and Kuwaiti banks were absent from the second 100, with their representation concentrated entirely in the top 100, reflecting the substantial financial weight of banking institutions operating in both markets and their ability to secure leading positions across the Arab banking sector.