Post by : Badri Ariffin

Emirates NBD has demonstrated remarkable financial performance in the first nine months of 2025, delivering AED 36.7 billion in income as the bank continues to gain momentum across its key markets. The Group’s growth has been fueled by both interest income and non-funded income, supported by strategic investments in digital, regional expansion, and innovative banking solutions.

Operating profit rose 10% year-on-year to AED 25.5 billion, supported by record loan growth of AED 99 billion, marking a 19% increase in the Group’s lending portfolio. Deposits also surged by AED 94 billion, with low-cost Current and Savings Accounts growing by AED 56 billion. Profit before tax increased 6% to AED 23.4 billion, despite lower recoveries during the period.

Emirates Islamic contributed a record AED 3.2 billion profit before tax, while the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia continued to outperform, posting a 38% growth in lending. The Group’s digital wealth platform has propelled assets under management to USD 53 billion, reflecting strong adoption and engagement from both domestic and international clients.

The bank’s expansion strategy includes a significant move into India. On October 18, 2025, Emirates NBD signed a Share Subscription Agreement to acquire a 60% stake in RBL Bank for INR 268.5 billion (USD 3 billion). This acquisition is expected to strengthen the bank’s presence in India and merge its three existing branches with RBL Bank once regulatory approvals are obtained. The transaction is projected to complete by Q2 2026.

Strategic Growth Across Products and Markets

Emirates NBD continues to dominate the UAE credit card market with a 35% share, ranking as the #1 issuer across the MEA region. In KSA, the bank is expanding its branch network, with two additional branches planned by year-end. Its digital offerings, including the ENBD X platform, have attracted over 2.4 million active users, a 49% increase since 2023, with AED 5 billion traded on the platform in the first year alone.

The bank’s commitment to sustainable finance and ESG practices is also evident, with over USD 8 billion in sustainable transactions completed in the first nine months. Emirates Islamic issued the world’s first USD 500 million sustainability-linked financing sukuk, reinforcing the Group’s leadership in ESG-integrated Islamic finance.

Emirates NBD is also at the forefront of technological innovation, integrating 155 APIs for seamless customer experiences, advancing analytics across 50+ use cases, and establishing a GenAI Executive Council to standardize AI adoption across the bank.

With a clear focus on digital-first banking, regional expansion, and sustainable finance, Emirates NBD is positioning itself as a powerhouse in the Middle East and beyond. The bank’s record growth in income, loans, deposits, and digital adoption indicates strong resilience and a forward-looking strategy poised to capitalize on new markets and emerging technologies.

#Global