Assets managed by local banks in Kuwait, including investments and assets managed on behalf of clients, reached 43.967 billion dinars by the end of June 2026, marking a 10.3 percent annual increase of about 4.106 billion dinars compared with 39.861 billion dinars in June 2025.
Data from the Central Bank of Kuwait showed that bank-managed assets increased by 0.57 percent during the first six months of 2026, adding around 251 million dinars compared with 43.716 billion dinars recorded at the end of December 2025. On a monthly basis, the assets rose by 1.1 percent, or 480.7 million dinars, from May levels.
The growth was supported by a significant increase in managed stock and bond portfolios, which surged 71.1 percent year-on-year to reach 1.436 billion dinars, compared with 839.3 million dinars in June 2025. The portfolios also grew by 3.6 percent since the beginning of the year.
Assets held under trusts declined by 8.3 percent from December levels to 7.098 billion dinars in June, although they recorded annual growth of 17.2 percent, rising by more than 1 billion dinars compared with June 2025.
Meanwhile, total contingent liabilities linked to indirect financing operations stood at 17.268 billion dinars, down slightly by 0.7 percent from December but up 9.6 percent year-on-year.
Letters of credit decreased by 10.2 percent to 1.194 billion dinars, while letters of guarantee increased by 4.4 percent during the first half to reach 13.747 billion dinars. On an annual basis, letters of guarantee grew by 11.4 percent, adding around 1.41 billion dinars.
Bank acceptances fell by 8.57 percent during the first six months to 869.2 million dinars, while non-cancellable liabilities declined by 25 percent to 1.457 billion dinars.
Local banks’ investments in financial derivatives recorded annual growth of 10.4 percent, reaching 17.405 billion dinars in June 2026, compared with 15.757 billion dinars a year earlier. The sector also posted a 6 percent increase since December 2025, although it declined slightly on a monthly basis.
Key Indicators:
- Bank-managed assets: 43.96 billion dinars
- Letters of guarantee: 13.74 billion dinars
- Stock and bond portfolios: 1.43 billion dinars
- Trust assets: 7.1 billion dinars
- Letters of credit: 1.19 billion dinars
