National Bank of Kuwait hosts Group HR conference for its international branches
KUWAIT: As part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen integration and alignment across international markets, the Group Human Resources Division at the National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) hosted a major HR conference at its head office in Kuwait. The three-day event brought together HR leaders from NBK's international branches and subsidiaries across 13 countries and 4 continents.
Held from April 28 to 30, the conference served as a platform for sharing best practices, aligning future strategies, and reinforcing cooperation among HR teams within the NBK Group.
The conference opened with welcoming remarks from NBK's executive leadership, followed by a comprehensive presentation of the Group's overall HR strategy. Each international HR head also delivered presentations outlining their respective local strategies and initiatives. A key component of the event was a specialized workshop titled 'Change Management', part of NBK's Career Leap project. The program also included advanced training on job design and evaluation, emphasizing alignment with global HR best practices in attracting, retaining, and developing top talent—solidifying NBK's position as an employer of choice in the banking sector.
As part of the Career Leap initiative, attendees participated in a full-day training session delivered by a leading global firm on 'Strategic Change Leadership Workshop'. The session explored dynamic change leadership practices, highlighting strategies for managing transformation in fast-evolving economic environments. It also provided tools and frameworks for adapting to organizational change, fostering agility, and navigating uncertainty through global case studies.
Shaikha Al-Bahar, Omar Bouhdiba, Emad Al-Ablani, and Zaid Al-Sager in a group photo on the sidelines of the conference.
A workshop is held on the sidelines of the conference.
The conference further addressed ways to enhance the effectiveness of HR services and operations across the Group. Discussions included developing core competencies, grooming future leaders, promoting a unified organizational culture, and leveraging innovative ideas from diverse markets to drive performance. Cross-border collaboration was underscored as a critical strategy for addressing common challenges. In a heartfelt moment, the conference honored the Head of HR at NBK Singapore on her retirement, marking 41 years of dedicated service. The recognition demonstrated the Bank's deep appreciation for employee commitment and exemplified the values of professionalism and respect that define NBK's corporate culture.
On this occasion, Emad Al-Ablani, Group Chief Human Resources Officer, stated: 'We are proud to host this important conference aimed at strengthening strategic alignment and global collaboration among HR teams across all NBK international branches and subsidiaries. This event reaffirms our commitment to supporting the Group's operational goals and long-term growth.'
He added: 'The conference reflects the strength of our Group HR function and our collective dedication to building a high-performing, future-ready workforce that aligns with NBK's global vision to meet the evolving demands of our business and clients.' Al-Ablani emphasized that the event reasserts NBK's leadership in attracting, developing, and retaining top talent while reinforcing a unified corporate culture across all operational markets.
He concluded by affirming that NBK's HR Division will continue to play a vital role in enabling the Group's strategic ambitions by focusing on human capital development, preparing professional talent to lead the Bank into the future, and cultivating an innovative, engaging, and empowering work environment. He noted that cooperation among HR teams across all geographies remains a cornerstone of NBK's continued excellence and leadership in both regional and global arenas. NBK is recognized for its exceptional workplace culture and invests heavily in employee development. The Bank actively fosters creativity and innovation within its workforce—key drivers that contribute to its distinguished standing in the local and regional banking sector.
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Isam J Al-Sager NBK Group Vice Chairman and CEO Hamad Al-Bahar NBK Group Chairman Sustainable growth Meanwhile, Isam J Al-Sager, NBK Group Vice Chairman and CEO, said: 'Once again, NBK continues to affirm the resilience of its business model and its agility in navigating a shifting operating environment, consistently delivering profit growth across economic cycles. This performance underscores the strength of the Group's geographic diversification strategy and the effectiveness of its long-term approach to driving sustainable growth.' He noted that the Bank delivered solid operating performance across its core business segments during the first half of 2025, with the Group's net operating income rising by 3.1 percent year-on-year to reach KD 631.4 million ($2.1 billion). Al-Sager highlighted the strong contribution of the International Banking Group (IBG), as well as Boubyan Bank — the Islamic banking arm of NBK — to the Group's net operating income and profitability during H1 2025. In addition, NBK Wealth continues to strengthen its position as the leading wealth management firm in Kuwait and among the largest in the region; offering a comprehensive suite of private banking, wealth and investment management solutions and advisory services through an integrated global network. During the first half of 2025, NBK continued to deliver an enriched banking experience, underpinned by innovative solutions tailored to meet evolving customer needs. The Bank further reinforced its digital leadership by introducing a suite of carefully designed digital services and products aligned with customer expectations. He added that NBK remains committed to investing in technology and innovation as a core driver of growth, underscoring the Bank's focus on strengthening its competitive edge in the domestic market and expanding its presence across international markets. Regarding NBK's recent $800 million PNC6 Additional Tier 1 bond issuance, Al-Sager emphasized that strong investor demand afforded the Bank a notable pricing advantage. He noted that the order book peaked at $2.2 billion, with subscriptions exceeding 2.75x the issue size; driven by solid interest from a diverse base of global investors and financial institutions. The operational environment Commenting on the local operating environment, Al-Sager expressed cautious optimism regarding the outlook for project activity in the second half of the year and beyond. He pointed to the government's announcement of 141 projects under the 2025/2026 annual development plan, including large-scale ventures such as Mubarak Al-Kabeer Seaport, the expansion of the T2 passenger terminal at Kuwait International Airport, and the New Al-Sabah Hospital, as key drivers of anticipated momentum. Furthermore, he emphasized that the adoption of further economic legislative reforms would serve as a catalyst for accelerated economic growth, commending the government's commitment to enacting key legislation in the near term, including the anticipated approval of the mortgage law. He also underscored the importance of empowering the private sector to take a leading role in economic activity under Kuwait Vision 2035, noting that such measures are vital to enhancing the local business climate and supporting the growth of the national economy going forward. Prestigious awards During the first half of 2025, NBK garnered several prestigious accolades that reaffirm its leadership both locally and regionally. These included being named Best Bank in Kuwait - 2025, as well as receiving awards for Best Retail Bank and Best Bank for SMEs in Kuwait by MEED International Magazine. Euromoney magazine also honored the Bank with multiple accolades in 2025, naming NBK Kuwait's Best Bank for ESG, Kuwait's Best Bank for Large Corporates, and Kuwait's Best Bank for Diversity and Inclusion. Moreover, NBK has also garnered multiple accolades across the MENA region, including Best Loan Offering - 2025, Best Contactless Payment Experience, and Payment Solution for SMEs, awarded by MEED Magazine. Key financial indicators for H1 2025 •Net operating income stood at KD 631.4 million ($2.1 billion), up 3.1 percent year-on-year. •Total assets grew by 15.9 percent year-on-year, at KD 43.6 billion ($143.0 billion). •Total loans and advances increased by 12.1 percent year-on-year to KD 25.5 billion ($83.5 billion) •Customer deposits grew by 9.5 percent year-on-year to KD 23.9 billion ($78.2 billion). •Shareholders' equity amounted to KD 4.2 billion, ($13.9 billion) registering an annual growth of 10.3 percent. •Strong asset quality metrics, with NPL/gross loans ratio at 1.33 percent and an NPL coverage ratio of 252 percent. •Robust Capital Adequacy Ratio of 16.4 percent, comfortably exceeding regulatory requirements. Hamad Al-Bahar The Bank's strong financial performance underscores its ability to adapt effectively to shifting economic conditions
