Kuwait Finance House – Bahrain (KFH), a leading bank in the kingdom, has announced that it is allowing individual and corporate customers to defer domestic loan instalments and credit card payments for three months, in line with guidance from the Central Bank of Bahrain.
The UAE's banking sector achieved regional leadership with assets valued at AED5.4 trillion ($1.47 trillion) in 2025, supported by a 17.9% growth in the credit portfolio and a 16.2% increase in deposits, said the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates' 2025 annual report.
In a strategic move, Bahrain-based Islamic wholesale bank GFH Financial Group (GFH) said it has rebranded as GFH Bank, in a move that reflects a shift in its business model and aims to sharpen its identity as an integrated banking and investment institution.
The proposed merger between Bank of Bahrain and Kuwait (BBK) and the National Bank of Bahrain (NBB) remains on track for potential completion this year, despite ongoing regional economic challenges, a Gulf Daily News report said.
GCC banking systems face few immediate credit risks from the regional conflict that has followed attacks on Iran by Israel and the US, says Fitch since the GCC sovereign ratings generally have sufficient headroom to withstand a short regional conflict that does not escalate significantly further.
Emirates NBD said it has successfully closed $2.25 billion in long-term financing despite a challenging regional and global environment. The transaction includes a $1.75 billion five-year sustainability-linked syndicated term loan and a $500 million five-year Club Commodity Murabaha term facility.
The Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), the independent banking, financial services and markets regulator of Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), has announced the temporary closure of Nasdaq Dubai, effective March 2 to 3, 2026.
Bahrain’s banking sector continues to operate efficiently, maintaining uninterrupted services to its customers, thus demonstrating resilience and stability amid the ongoing Middle East conflict, supported by strong fundamentals and a robust regulatory framework, said the kingdom's top financial body.
Standard Chartered Bahrain has confirmed that its operations across the Kingdom remain fully functional and continue to run at full capacity.
Standard Chartered said it is maintaining normal service under work-from-home arrangements in the Middle East.
