Home GCC Bahrain Revealed: Top 10 banks in Bahrain Bahrain’s biggest listed banks ranked by total asset size by Staff Writer May 20, 2018 Things have been on the up for the GCC’s banks, which collectively recorded a better year in 2017 despite slowing economic growth in the region as a whole. Banking activity was supported by a higher oil price and continued infrastructure investment as Gulf states diversify their economies in various ways. Commercial activity in the region expanded in 2017 and consumer confidence grew, albeit slightly. As a result, our list of the region’s 50 leading banks – ranking institutions in Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia and the UAE – recorded higher net profit in 2017. The second half of 2017 was more challenging, but economic growth in the region is expected to improve slightly in 2018. This, along with diversification efforts, should provide a boost to the banking sector this year, meaning the forecast is for a marginal increase in returns. Of the country’s covered in the report, Bahrain’s banking sector saw the smallest growth in net profit last year at 1.1 per cent. This came after profit declined at a number of the top 10 lenders. TOP 10 BANKS IN Bahrain (Based on total assets of listed banks at the end of 2017) 1. Ahli United Bank Assets in 2017 ($000): 31,322,484 Assets in 2016 ($000): 33,965,317 Growth (2016-2017): -7.78 2017 net profit ($000): 624,310 Return on assets (ROA) in 2017: 1.99 2. Arab Banking Corporation Assets in 2017 ($000): 30,141,000 Assets in 2016 ($000): 28,195,000 Growth (2016-2017): 6.90 2017 net profit ($000): 234,000 Return on assets (ROA) in 2017: 0.78 3. Albaraka Bank Group Assets in 2017 ($000): 23,425,265 Assets in 2016 ($000): 24,618,201 Growth (2016-2017): -4.85 2017 net profit ($000): 267,636 Return on assets (ROA) in 2017: 1.14 4. Gulf International Bank Assets in 2017 ($000): 22,905,800 Assets in 2016 ($000): 24,192,400 Growth (2016-2017): -5.32 2017 net profit ($000): 37,300 Return on assets (ROA) in 2017: 0.16 5. Bank of Bahrain Kuwait Assets in 2017 ($000): 9,847,321 Assets in 2016 ($000): 9,698,074 Growth (2016-2017): 1.54 2017 net profit ($000): 150,924 Return on assets (ROA) in 2017: 1.53 6. Ithmaar Bank Assets in 2017 ($000):8,341,310 Assets in 2016 ($000): 8,138,641 Growth (2016-2017): 2.49 2017 net profit ($000): 13,798 Return on assets (ROA) in 2017: 0.17 7. National Bank of Bahrain Assets in 2017 ($000): 7,917,830 Assets in 2016 ($000): 7,977,940 Growth (2016-2017): -0.75 2017 net profit ($000): 154,880 Return on assets (ROA) in 2017: 1.96 8. Al-Salam Bank Assets in 2017 ($000): 4,471,567 Assets in 2016 ($000): 4,406,008 Growth (2016-2017): 1.49 2017 net profit ($000): 42,809 Return on assets (ROA) in 2017: 0.96 9. United Gulf bank Assets in 2017 ($000): 3,005,737 Assets in 2016 ($000): 2,716,516 Growth (2016-2017): 10.65 2017 net profit ($000): 6,259 Return on assets (ROA) in 2017: 0.21 10. Investcorp Assets in 2017 ($000): 2,497,153 Assets in 2016 ($000): 2,161,418 Growth (2016-2017): 15.53 2017 net profit ($000): 90,053 Return on assets (ROA) in 2017: 3.61 Looking ahead In 2018, GCC banks are expected to record only modest growth in both assets and net profit, reflecting continuing challenging trading conditions. Economic growth in the region will be slightly higher, allowing for modest loan growth. Maintained government infrastructure investment in the GCC and increased government spending in some GCC states will help to boost loan growth, albeit only modestly, and returns for the GCC banking sector are expected to be marginally higher over the course of the year. 0 Comments