National Bank of Bahrain (NBB) has reported higher full-year profits for 2025, with net profit attributable to shareholders rising by 4% to a record BD85.1 million ($225.7 million), compared with BD81.9 million ($217.3 million) in 2024. The bank said the improvement reflected the performance of its diversified non-interest income streams.
For the fourth quarter ended 31 December 2025, NBB recorded a 12% increase in net profit attributable to shareholders, reaching BD18.2 million ($48.3 million), up from BD16.2 million in the same period of 2024. The bank said the quarterly result was mainly driven by higher net interest income, supported by the group’s resilient balance sheet.
Earnings per share for the fourth quarter rose to 8 fils (USD 2 cents), compared with 7 fils (2 cents) in the corresponding period last year. However, total comprehensive income attributable to shareholders for the quarter fell by 15% to BD16.7 million, down from BD19.6 million a year earlier. NBB attributed the decline to negative mark-to-market movements in its bond portfolio.
On a full-year basis, earnings per share increased to 38 fils (USD 10 cents) in 2025, compared with 36 fils (10 cents) in 2024. Total comprehensive income attributable to shareholders for the year ended 31 December 2025 decreased by 9% to BD82.7 million, from BD91 million in 2024. The bank said this fall was mainly due to negative mark-to-market movements in its equity portfolio.
NBB also reported growth across its balance sheet. Total equity attributable to shareholders stood at BD585 million as of 31 December 2025, compared with BD583.8 million a year earlier. Total assets rose by 14% during the year to BD6,276.6 million, up from BD5,522.2 million at 31 December 2024. The increase was driven by the group’s core business activities.
Following the year’s performance, NBB’s Board of Directors proposed a cash dividend of BD79 million, equivalent to 35% per share or 35 fils. This figure includes 10% interim dividends that were announced and paid in August 2025. The proposed distribution is subject to approvals from regulatory authorities and shareholders at the Annual General Meeting.
Commenting on the results, Hala Ali Husain Yateem, Chairperson of NBB, said: “NBB concluded 2025 with record financial results, reporting an attributable net profit of BD85.1 million – a 4% increase over the previous year and the highest annual profit in the Bank’s history. These results highlight our financial resilience, which sets us up for long-term growth and sustained value creation. With a return on average equity of 15% and a proposed dividend distribution of 35% for the year, we continue to deliver competitive returns to our shareholders. Beyond our financial achievements, we continued to embed ESG principles further across our operations and financing activities. As we enter 2026, we remain focused on prudent governance and a clear strategic vision to deliver measurable impact for our shareholders, customers, and the Kingdom of Bahrain.”
Usman Ahmed, Group Chief Executive Officer of NBB, said the bank ended the year with operating profit of BD93.4 million, representing a 3% increase over 2024. He added that the group’s balance sheet continued to expand, with total assets rising by 14% year-on-year. Loans and advances and customer deposits increased by 6%, reflecting continued momentum in core banking activities.
“We continued to deepen our commitment to customer excellence, opening 6 SME across Bahrain, launching digital loan top-ups for our retail customers, introducing host-to-host connectivity for our corporate clients and introducing an AI assisted Chatbot for augmenting service. Our KSA and UAE businesses posted combined loan growth of 52% as we strengthened our presence across diversified customer segments, industries, and solutions. Our employees contributed over 1,000 volunteering hours towards several educational and entrepreneurial programmes. We are committed to building upon our operational strengths and delivering excellence across every dimension of our business.”
The bank said the 2025 results reflect steady growth across its main business lines, alongside continued investment in digital services and regional expansion.
