Latest news with #Hamad
Arab Times
a day ago
- Business
- Arab Times
KFH Reports Net Profit Attributable to the Shareholders of the Bank of KD 342.1 Million for H1 2025
KUWAIT CITY, Jul 29: Chairman of Kuwait Finance House (KFH) Hamad Abdulmohsen Al-Marzouq announced that KFH achieved a net profit of KD 342.1 million for the first half of 2025 for the Bank shareholders. Earnings per share for the first half of 2025 reached 19.23 fils. Net financing income for the first half of the year reached KD 607.3 million; an increase of 8.7 % compared to the same period last year. Total operating income for the first half of 2025 increased, supported by the increase in all core activities to reach KD 876 million; an increase of 6.4 % compared to the same period last year. This growth is particularly notable given that the comparative income for 2024 included profits of KD 70.1 million from the sale of KFH-Bahrain during Q2 2024. Net operating income for the first half of the year reached KD 566.7 million; an increase of 7.9 % compared to the same period last year. The cost-to-income ratio for H1-25 improved to 35.3% compared to 36.2% for the same period last year. Financing receivables at the end of the first half of 2025 reached KD 20.4 billion, an increase of 7.1 % compared to the end of last year. Total assets at the end of the first half of 2025 amounted to KD 38.5 billion, an increase of 4.9% compared to the end of last year. Shareholders' equity for the same period amounted to about KD 5.6 billion, an increase of 0.8% compared to the end of last year. Depositors' accounts for the first half of 2025 amounted to KD 19.7 billion, an increase of 2.7% compared to the end of last year. In addition, the capital adequacy ratio reached 18.01 % which is above the limit required by regulators. This ratio confirms the solid capital base of KFH. The Board of Directors has agreed to distribute a semi-annual cash dividend of 10 fils per share. Outstanding performance In a press release, Al-Marzouq said that KFH continues to lead the banking sector and the Kuwaiti market in profitability. This remarkable achievement comes despite the challenging operating environment and geopolitical shifts in the region, which have brought uncertainty to the economic landscape. He emphasized that KFH's success stems from precisely implemented plans that ensure sustainable profits and maintain KFH's solid financial position and robust performance. Al-Marzouq also highlighted the strength of KFH's financial statements for the first half of this year, which showcase a strong capital base, good liquidity ratios, and exceptional operational performance. These factors have collectively driven sustainable growth across all key financial indicators. Operational efficiency Al-Marzouq emphasized that KFH continues to boost its operational efficiency, increase revenues, and optimally use its capabilities in line with global standards. This approach will improve asset quality, enhance risk management, and help the bank rationalize expenses, especially as it navigates the current global financial landscape and the competitive financial services industry. Coordination and integration He added that KFH is working to achieve great ambitions by maximizing the effectiveness of the Group's banks and fostering seamless coordination and integration among. This approach guarantees increased revenues and improved performance, while also leveraging the unique potential and advantages of each market. New chapter Al-Mazrouq said that KFH successfully launched the new visual identity for Ahli United Bank - Bahrain, rebranding it as Kuwait Finance House – Bahrain. This move complements a series of achievements realized under the new brand slogan, "Beyond Horizons". He explained that this series began in Kuwait, subsequently extending to the United Kingdom and the Arab Republic of Egypt. "This initiative is part of KFH's strategy for expansion and global leadership as an Islamic banking group." He emphasized that the new brand launch reflects a shift in vision and concept, marking the beginning of a new chapter of integration and excellence in banking services. Financing and Development Al-Marzouq highlighted KFH's continued dedication and ability to fund large-scale projects in all sectors, including production, service, commercial, and development. By offering a diverse range of financing services and solutions, KFH actively supports the government's comprehensive development plans. He highlighted the bank's strengths, which position it as one of the most trusted and preferred institutions for corporate financing. KFH also enjoys a substantial market share in financing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) within Kuwait's banking sector. Furthermore, the bank is keen to fund numerous large-scale projects, utilizing flexible and efficient Sharia-compliant financing structures. This has established KFH as the preferred partner and lead arranger for many major joint financing deals. Training and promotion Al-Marzouq said that KFH is steadfast in its commitment to nurturing national talent and developing future leaders. Through ongoing training and development programs, partnered with local institutions, universities, and international centers, the bank aims for peak operational efficiency and productivity. This dedication recently saw several national employees advance to senior leadership roles across various departments. CSR & Sustainability Al-Marzouq noted that KFH's social impact grew significantly last year, thanks to its involvement in many key strategic social initiatives. These efforts highlight the crucial role KFH plays in society, alongside its leading position in the economic, developmental, and banking sectors. He highlighted how KFH has created a pioneering and role model for embedding sustainability principles across its entire group. "KFH has seen remarkable success in green financing and implementing a comprehensive sustainability strategy that's central to its mission and vision. The bank is further strengthening its commitment by adopting integrated, comprehensive, and balanced practices in the key areas of sustainability: environmental, social, and governance (ESG)." Al-Marzouq explained that KFH was the first entity to start publishing impact measurement reports, and it annually releases both a Sustainability Report and a Carbon Footprint Report. KFH has been awarded an "A" rating by MSCI. Additionally, KFH has been included in the FTSE4Good Index Series for its exemplary performance in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices. Sound financial indicators Meanwhile, KFH Group CEO, Khaled Yousef Al-Shamlan, said that the bank's H1 2025 profits confirms its robust operational performance and leading position in the Kuwaiti banking sector. He noted that the financial performance for this period reflects prudent strategies and effective policies that consistently yield sustainable profits, solid financial position, asset quality, and good indicators for operating income, cost to income ratios as well as liquidity ratios, and capital adequacy. Global leadership AlShamlan said that "KFH ranked first as the best-performing bank in Kuwait, according to The Banker magazine's 2025 ranking of the top 1,000 global banks. KFH has maintained its position as Kuwait's largest listed company, in Forbes' Global 2000 list for the largest public companies in the world, reinforcing its standing using four metrics, revenues, profits, assets and market value." He pointed out that KFH has won numerous international awards, including "The Middle East's Best Islamic Bank" and "Kuwait's Best Bank" from Euromoney. KFH was also named "Best Bank for Financial Institutions in the Middle East for 2025" by Global Finance, in recognition of its excellence and distinction in banking. Growing market share AlShamlan emphasized KFH's ongoing drive to boost market share by offering competitive products, services, and cutting-edge financing solutions, such as Financing Against Gold Account Collateral. He also highlighted the continuous effort to strengthen KFH's presence in international markets, improve coordination among the Group's banks, and enhance customer service through the KFH Group Service Center. Currently, this center supports KFH-Turkey and KFH-Egypt, with plans to extend its services to other Group banks in the coming period. AlShamlan attributed the bank's sustained leadership to its vast experience and large customer base, which collectively reinforce its competitive edge and brand strength. Digitalization and innovation AlShamlan also noted that KFH continues to lead digital innovation in banking, offering diverse digital services and solutions to elevate customer experience. He added that KFH launched (Fahad), Kuwait's first virtual assistant employee powered by artificial intelligence. This coincides with a comprehensive update and redesign of the KFHOnline app, now offering over 200 digital banking services to meet high customer demand. KFH also introduced the KFH Virtual Rewards Prepaid Card as a unique payment experience, alongside updated customer software. Additionally, a new, secure, and easy payment service for businesses was rolled out, transforming mobile phones into point-of-sale devices for accepting payments via debit cards and digital wallets. He noted that KFH's successful digital transformation showcased the bank and its employees' capabilities to harness global technological advancements and apply them to customer service through innovative approaches and creative efforts. He stressed that customers are the top priority, and their satisfaction is key to achieving the bank's strategic goals.
Irish Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Man remanded in custody after 'assaulting' woman near park in Dublin
A man has been remanded in custody after allegedly assaulting a young woman near Fairview Park in Dublin over the weekend. The accused, who was named as Hoyda Hamad, appeared in Dublin District Court at the Central Criminal Court on Saturday. The 35-year-old, of no fixed abode, was arrested on the East Wall Road after the alleged incident and charged with a section 2 assault. In addition, he was also charged with providing a false or misleading name and address to a member of An Garda Síochána. Hamad was also charged with using or engaging in threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour with intent to provoke a breach of the peace. He was remanded in custody and will appear before Cloverhill Courthouse on Wednesday, July 30. Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here. The Irish Mirror's Crime Writers Michael O'Toole and Paul Healy are writing a new weekly newsletter called Crime Ireland. Click here to sign up and get it delivered to your inbox every week
Roya News
4 days ago
- Politics
- Roya News
Hamas official: Goal of talks is to end war, release detained Palestinians
Hamas official Ghazi Hamad said in an interview with Al Araby TV that the movement's main objective in ongoing negotiations is to stop the war on the Palestinian people. He stated that Hamas aims to secure the release of the largest possible number of Palestinian political prisoners in any potential deal with the Israeli Occupation. Hamad criticized what he described as 'Israeli' attempts to gain through negotiations what it failed to achieve on the battlefield, and expressed surprise at the US position, saying Washington has offered no explanation for the starvation in Gaza. He condemned the international silence over Gaza's humanitarian crisis and urged Arab and international actors to pressure 'Israel' to end its attacks. 'We have shown flexibility and positivity on all proposals that guarantee our people's rights,' he said, adding that Hamas is working toward a deal that would lead to a ceasefire and 'Israeli' withdrawal following a 60-day truce.
Qatar Tribune
19-07-2025
- Business
- Qatar Tribune
talabat launches HBN Kitchen by Chef Hamad Al Hajri
Tribune News Network Doha talabat, the leading on-demand delivery platform in the MENA region, has officially launched HBN Kitchen by celebrated Qatari Chef and entrepreneur, Chef Hamad Al Hajri, available exclusively on the talabat app from August 1. To mark the occasion, talabat hosted an exclusive launch event on July 16, attended by key partners and guests. Guests were treated to a first taste of the restaurant's signature creations, personally prepared and presented by ChefHamad. Known for his bold interpretation of Qatari cuisine, Chef Hamad's latest venture blends traditional flavours with modern techniques. HBN Kitchen will feature a curated menu of dishes crafted for quality, consistency and convenience, delivered straight to customer's doors through talabat. Francisco Miguel De Sousa, managing Director of talabat Qatar, commented: 'We are proud to partner with Chef Hamad on this exciting new concept. At talabat, we are committed to championing local talent and creating meaningful partnerships that deliver value to our customers. HBN Kitchen is a true celebration of Qatari culinary identity.' Chef Hamad Al Hajri of HBN Kitchen said, 'HBN Kitchen is more than just a culinary brand — it is my vision and my discipline. It reflects my deep commitment to showcasing Qatari culture through food, while creatively blending it with global flavours such as Polish, Mediterranean, Latin American, and Turkish. 'This journey has brought me international recognition and invitations, and I'm proud to continue sharing the rich story of Qatari cuisine with the world through this exclusive partnership with talabat.' Chef Hamad will be available to order from August 1 exclusively on talabat, offering customers a fresh and modern take on Qatari fusion cuisine. Customers can download the talabat app via the IOS App Store, Google Play Store, or Huawei App Gallery.
Indian Express
19-07-2025
- General
- Indian Express
Where humanity ends in Palestine, a writer offers his library in exchange for food
Asentence is not a loaf of bread, releasing steam as it is torn apart and dipped into fresh olive oil and zaatar. A beautiful metaphor offers little where the fragrance of a fresh meal is in danger of becoming a memory, and even the coldest can of beans does more for a hungry stomach than any word in any language can. And so, Omar Hamad — pharmacist, tailor, writer and eyewitness to the death and starvation in Gaza — shares an appeal on social media, offering his library in exchange for a sack of flour. Because what place do books have in a land where access to food is now wielded like a weapon? 'I once plucked roses from language,' Hamad recalls in a short essay on LitHub. But even for a writer, books can qualify as a necessity only when the sharp edge of hunger is sheathed — not when there are mouths to feed, wounds to salve, bodies to count. Twenty-one months of conflict have made Gaza, as United Nations officials have reported, 'the hungriest place on Earth'. From rice to lentils to baby formula, even the most staple of foods have been made scarce by Israeli blockades and reports emerge every day of desperate, hungry people being crushed to death by others who are just as famished and just as desperate, begging for relief at aid hubs. This is the double tragedy of Gaza where, for millennia, olive trees and poetry grew in equal profusion. Literature may be immortal, but for an entire population that faces starvation, books, too, have been reduced to mere possessions, emergency currency to be exchanged for food. The cultural devastation of Gaza since October 2023 is heartbreaking, with libraries, museums and ancient cultural sites destroyed by bombing. But as hunger stalks through the Strip, there will come a time when the world must reckon with a greater, incalculable loss.
