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KFH Reports Net Profit Attributable to the Shareholders of KD ‎‎168.1 million for Q1 2025‎, Highest net profit in the Kuwaiti banking sector

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KUWAIT CITY, Apr 22: Chairman of Kuwait Finance House (KFH) Hamad Abdulmohsen Al Marzouq ‎announced that KFH achieved a net profit of KD 168.1 million for the first ‎quarter of 2025 for shareholders, representing an increase of 3.2% ‎compared to the same period last year, and an increase of 41.4% ‎compared to the fourth quarter of last year.‎

Earnings per share for the first quarter of 2025 reached 9.77 fils; an ‎increase of 3.1% compared to the same period last year.‎

Net financing income for the first quarter of the year reached KD 318.9 ‎million; an increase of 21.1% compared to the same period last year.‎

Total operating income for the first quarter of the year increased, ‎supported by an increase in all core activities to reach KD 454.9 million; an ‎increase of 15.9% compared to the same period last year.‎

Net operating income for the first quarter of the year reached KD 295.7 ‎million; an increase of 19.4% compared to the same period last year.‎

Financing receivables increased as of the end of the first quarter of 2025 to ‎reach KD 19.3 billion; an increase of 1.1% compared to the end of last year.‎

Total assets increased as of the end of the first quarter of 2025 to reach KD ‎‎36.9 billion; an increase of 0.4% compared to the end of last year. ‎Shareholders’ equity amounted to KD 5.5 billion at the end of the first ‎quarter of 2025.‎

Depositors’ accounts increased as of the end of the first quarter of 2025 to ‎reach KD 19.5 billion; an increase of 1.3% compared to the end of last year.‎

In addition, the capital adequacy ratio reached 19.38% which is above the ‎limit required by regulators. This ratio confirms the solid capital base of ‎KFH.‎

Sustainable profits

In a press release, Al Marzouq stated that KFH`s Q1 2025 growth in key ‎financial indicators demonstrates the successful execution of the strategy ‎approved by the bank`s Board of Directors. He further noted that this ‎performance, achieved despite a complex operating environment and ‎market shifts driven by regional and global economic developments, ‎underscores the strength of KFH`s comprehensive and integrated business ‎model. Al Marzouq added that the growth in all key financial indicators and ‎balance sheet items confirms KFH`s progress in generating higher-quality ‎and sustainable profits.‎

Al Marzouq highlighted that KFH`s financial performance demonstrates its ‎consistent ability to grow profits sustainably. This success validates the ‎effectiveness of KFH`s efforts at every level in attaining its objectives. These ‎objectives include boosting profitability, sustaining high growth, ‎rationalizing expenses, elevating service quality, embracing technology and ‎digitization, and enriching customer interactions through well-defined and ‎carefully managed approaches, rigorous and measurable professional ‎standards, and the capacity for prompt and effective responses to market ‎changes. Furthermore, these efforts take into account increasing ‎competition and evolving customer expectations. ‎

He also commended the experienced management for their skill in ‎navigating the business environment and boosting confidence in the bank. ‎

Giant banking entity

Al Marzouq explained that the expansion abroad had gained significant ‎momentum and brought about a qualitative transformation in KFH`s ‎growth strategy, turning it into a substantial banking entity with a presence ‎in eight countries worldwide. These notably include Kuwait, Bahrain, Egypt, ‎Turkey, the UK, and Germany, supported by an extensive network of over ‎‎600 branches. He also noted that KFH continues to lead all banks and ‎companies listed on Boursa Kuwait, with a current market capitalization ‎near to KD 13 billion.‎

‏”‏KFH`s recently launched “Beyond Horizons” visual identity reflects the ‎bank`s substantial growth, achievements, global reach, and future ‎ambitions. This new identity also underscores KFH`s ongoing commitment ‎to technological advancement, digital innovation, and its leading position in ‎Islamic finance,‎‏”‏‎ he added.‎

Supporting the national economy ‎

Underscoring KFH`s pioneering position, Al Marzouq stated that the bank ‎will maintain its support for the Kuwaiti market and national economy. This ‎includes providing financing to corporates within established credit ‎guidelines, as well as its continued focus on corporate banking, corporate ‎and retail financing. KFH actively collaborates with relevant authorities to ‎support and finance small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). ‎Recognizing the vital role of these businesses in Kuwait`s economy, job ‎creation, and youth employment, KFH holds the largest SME financing ‎portfolio in the market by the number of beneficiaries.‎

Green Sukuk

Al Marzouq highlighted KFH`s ongoing commitment, via its investment arm ‎KFH Capital, to issue more Sukuk for both governments and companies ‎globally. He also stressed a particular focus on green Sukuk, aligning with ‎KFH`s broader strategy for sustainability and the adoption of ESG ‎standards.‎

Social leadership

Highlighting KFH`s significant societal impact, Al Marzouq noted the ‎progress achieved through numerous strategic social contributions ‎recently. Key initiatives include a KD 15 million pledge to establish a cardiac ‎center at Mubarak Al-Kabeer Hospital in partnership with the Ministry of ‎Health, and a KD 2 million donation to the Ministry of Social Affairs` debt ‎relief campaign. Previously, KFH also contributed over KD 20 million to ‎settle insolvent individuals` debts in collaboration with the Ministry of ‎Justice.‎

KFH Group Chief Executive Officer, Khaled Yousef AlShamlan

Solid financial position

KFH Group Chief Executive Officer, Khaled Yousef AlShamlan stated that the ‎Q1 2025 financial indicators demonstrated balanced performance and ‎significant financial strength, showing notable improvements in solvency ‎and growth compared to the same period last year. He added that ‎increased and diversified operating income, along with solid performance ‎across most balance sheet items, highlight the Group`s creditworthiness, ‎reliability, and diverse avenues for future growth and expansion.‎

Diverse financing streams

AlShamlan highlighted the successful issuance of a 5-year, US$1 billion ‎Senior Unsecured Sukuk under KFH`s US$4 billion Sukuk Program. This ‎issuance aims to finance KFH`s operations and diversify its funding sources. ‎Furthermore, it will enable KFH to increase its financing and investment ‎capabilities, support infrastructure projects and local productive economic ‎sectors, and assist customers with their regional and global expansion plans.‎

Qualitative digital solutions

AlShamlan stated that KFH is focused on increasing its market share and ‎improving service quality by consistently offering qualitative and ‎competitive digital solutions through KFHOnline (both mobile and web), ‎XTMs, and KFH Express. He detailed that KFH offers about 200 electronic ‎services, including online payments, online account opening, instant ‎printing of all bank card types, gold trading, opening deposit and account, ‎instant cheque and card printing, and QR code-based cardless withdrawals ‎via mobile, along with many other financing and banking services that are ‎quick, simple, and secure.‎

Human resources are central to achieving success

‏”‏KFH underscores the paramount importance of its employees, actively ‎working to boost their skills, performance, and academic and professional ‎growth. Viewing them as central to its success, KFH remains committed to ‎fostering their innovation in services and solutions that improve customer ‎experience, exemplified by the annual “Innovation Challenge”. Moreover, ‎to foster employee development, KFH offers educational scholarships ‎alongside extensive in-class and online training programs. KFH also focuses ‎on nurturing Kuwaiti youth for leadership roles, empowering them to drive ‎development,‎‏”‏‎ AlShamlan said.‎

He pointed out that KFH is keen on empowering human talents and ‎competencies, noting that the bank celebrated over 230 outstanding staff ‎members at the 2024 Qadha program company. This program, the first of ‎its kind in Kuwaiti banking, has recently earned global recognition with a ‎Gold Medal from the prestigious Brandon Hall Group for Best Advance in ‎Employee Recognition Program at the global level.‎

Global recognition

In appreciation of its exceptional efforts, AlShamlan said that KFH received ‎global recognition, scooping around 15 awards for the current year from ‎world-class entities and institutions. Most notable of these awards are: ‎‎“Best Islamic bank in the Middle East” and “Best Bank in Kuwait” from ‎EMEA Finance Magazine. Additionally, KFH attained ISO 22301 certification ‎for its Business Continuity Management Systems (BCMS), reflecting the ‎bank`s proactive capacities and preparedness to face potential risks, in ‎addition to its sustainability in operations and operational efficiency. ‎

Thanks and appreciation

AlShamlan commended the support of the Board of Directors, the Central ‎Bank of Kuwait and the regulatory authorities for supporting the banking ‎sector. He also praised the efforts of Executive Management, all employees, ‎partners, and stakeholders for their key role and stressed the continuous ‎efforts to maintain KFH`s leading position locally and globally‏.‏

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Trump and Putin hint at US-Russia trade revival, but business environment remains hostile

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NY495

Russian President Vladimir Putin holds a meeting with members of Russia’s business community at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia on May 26. (AP)

WASHINGTON, May 31, (AP): Hundreds of foreign companies left Russia after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, including major US firms like Coca-Cola, Nike, Starbucks, ExxonMobil and Ford Motor Co. But after more than three years of war, President Donald Trump has held out the prospect of restoring U.S.-Russia trade if there’s ever a peace settlement.

And Russian President Vladimir Putin has said foreign companies could come back under some circumstances. “Russia wants to do largescale TRADE with the United States when this catastrophic ‘bloodbath’ is over, and I agree,” Trump said in a statement after a phone call with Putin. “There is a tremendous opportunity for Russia to create massive amounts of jobs and wealth. Its potential is UNLIMITED.”

The president then shifted his tone toward Putin after heavy drone and missile attacks on Kyiv, saying Putin “has gone absolutely crazy” and threatening new sanctions. That and recent comments from Putin warning Western companies against reclaiming their former stakes seemed to reflect reality more accurately – that it’s not going to be a smooth process for businesses going back into Russia.

That’s because Russia’s business environment has massively changed since 2022. And not in ways that favor foreign companies. And with Putin escalating attacks and holding on to territory demands Ukraine likely isn’t going to accept, a peace deal seems distant indeed. Here are factors that could deter US companies from ever going back: Russian law classifies Ukraine’s allies as “unfriendly states” and imposes severe restrictions on businesses from more than 50 countries.

Those include limits on withdrawing money and equipment as well as allowing the Russian government to take control of companies deemed important. Foreign owners’ votes on boards of directors can be legally disregarded. Companies that left were required to sell their businesses for 50% or less of their assessed worth, or simply wrote them off while Kremlin-friendly business groups snapped up their assets on the cheap. 

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Trump tells US steelworkers he’s going to double tariffs on foreign steel to 50%

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MDJE421

US President Donald Trump speaks to reporters in the rain after arriving on Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews, Md on May 30. (AP)

WEST MIFFLIN, Pa, May 31, (AP): US President Donald Trump on Friday told Pennsylvania steelworkers he’s doubling the tariff on steel imports to 50% to protect their industry, a dramatic increase that could further push up prices for a metal used to make housing, autos and other goods. In a post later on his Truth Social platform, he added that aluminum tariffs would also be doubled to 50%. He said both tariff hikes would go into effect Wednesday.

Trump spoke at US Steel’s Mon Valley Works-Irvin Plant in suburban Pittsburgh, where he also discussed a details-to-come deal under which Japan’s Nippon Steel will invest in the iconic American steelmaker. Trump told reporters after he arrived back in Washington that he still has to approve the deal. “I have to approve the final deal with Nippon and we haven’t seen that final deal yet, but they’ve made a very big commitment and it’s a very big investment,” he said.

Though Trump initially vowed to block the Japanese steelmaker’s bid to buy Pittsburgh-based US Steel, he reversed course and announced an agreement last week for “partial ownership” by Nippon. It’s unclear, though, if the deal his administration helped broker has been finalized or how ownership would be structured.

Nippon Steel has never said it is backing off its bid to outright buy and control US Steel as a wholly owned subsidiary, even as it increased the amount of money it promised to invest in US Steel plants and gave guarantees that it wouldn’t lay off workers or close plants as it sought federal approval of the acquisition. “We’re here today to celebrate a blockbuster agreement that will ensure this storied American company stays an American company,” Trump said as he opened an event at one of US Steel’s warehouses.

“You’re going to stay an American company, you know that, right?” As for the tariffs, Trump said doubling the levies on imported steel “will even further secure the steel industry in the US.” But such a dramatic increase could push prices even higher. Steel prices have climbed 16% since Trump became president in mid-January, according to the government’s Producer Price Index.   

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Kuwait Wins Big at Sharjah Finance Awards

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Kuwait’s Minister of Finance Noura Al-Fassam in a group photo.

KUWAIT CITY, May 29: The Ministry of Finance said it won the third edition of the Sharjah Award for Public Finance (2024-2025) in recognition of its outstanding role in providing financial services. Representatives of 17 countries vied for the award, the Ministry noted in a press release on Wednesday. Minister of Finance Noura Al- Fassam stated that winning this award reflects the ministry’s efforts in improving the efficiency of financial performance and enhancing the quality of services provided. The ministry confirmed that it is continuing to develop financial services under directives from the Council of Ministers towards digitizing services. The statement added that Al-Fassam received the award on behalf of the ministry, which participated in the digital payment project for government services that enables government entities to purchase online, pay government fees, and meet various needs to fulfill their financial obligations. (KUNA)

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