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Best bank: BBVA National Bank of Kuwait Best debt house: Standard Chartered Best equity house: Global Investment House Best M&A house: GulfMerger
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Getting to the top is easy, it’s staying there that’s difficult. Not that it seems to be a problem for National Bank of Kuwait. The firm is universally recognized as one of a handful of Middle Eastern banks that sets the standard for others to follow.
The past year was one of its most successful. In 2007, it posted a record profit in excess of $1 billion. In the 12 months between April 2007 and March this year profits hit $1.4 billion. Other impressive numbers include a 29% jump in total assets in 2007 and a 65.8% increase in total shareholders’ equity.
NBK continues to expand in the region and in the past 12 months made acquisitions in Egypt and Turkey.