Emirates NBD collected twelve awards at the 2026 Euromoney Excellence and Islamic Finance Awards, including "Best Bank for Retail Banking in the Middle East" and "Best Bank in the United Arab Emirates." The bank's results reflect a year of digital upgrades, strong financial performance, and expansion. These moves support the UAE's economic plans, such as the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, which focuses on innovation and global competitiveness in finance, according to the Emirates News Agency.
Much of Emirates NBD's recent progress comes from its focus on digital services and customer experience. The bank has introduced AI-powered features and digital onboarding, raising expectations for retail banking in the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia. Its "Best Bank for Customer Experience in the Middle East" award reflects consistent standards across digital and in-person services, as well as a 58-point Net Promoter Score. In 2026, Emirates NBD partnered with Ten Lifestyle Group to further develop its customer loyalty and experience programs, a move noted by industry sources.
Financial performance and market expansion
In the first half of 2026, Emirates NBD reported pre-tax profits of AED 16.2 billion, up 5% from the previous year. Net interest income rose by 13%, and non-funded income increased by 25%. The bank expanded its reach by acquiring RBL Bank and announcing plans to take over HSBC Egypt's retail banking operations, broadening its international presence. According to regional banking data, Emirates NBD increased its branch count in Saudi Arabia from 22 in 2025 to 23 in the first half of 2026, strengthening its position in Gulf markets.
Emirates NBD Capital, the group's investment arm, received three awards, including "Best Investment Bank for Sovereigns, Supranationals and Agencies in the Middle East." Over the past year, it completed 112 syndicated loan deals, raising more than USD 100 billion. About 15% of these transactions involved sovereign wealth funds and government entities. The Central Bank of the UAE has emphasized the need for strong capital markets and liquidity management, areas where Emirates NBD has been recognized as a leading cash-management provider, especially for Shariah-compliant liquidity and trade finance solutions.
Sustainable finance and responsible banking
The bank was named "Best Bank for ESG in the Middle East" and "Best Bank for ESG in the United Arab Emirates" for its work in sustainable finance. It also received "Best Bank for Corporate Social Responsibility in the United Arab Emirates" for its community programs, Emiratisation efforts, and social investments. These initiatives align with the UAE's sustainability goals and the government's push for ESG standards in finance, as reported by The National.
In consumer lending, Emirates NBD was recognized as "Best Bank for Consumer Lending in the UAE" for its personal finance products, digital loan approvals, and responsible lending practices. The bank's third Millionaire programme, launched in September 2026, offered over AED 35 million in prizes, including a AED 10 million grand prize, to encourage savings and financial inclusion.
Islamic finance innovation
Emirates NBD Capital also won "Best Structured Islamic Finance House in the Middle East" and "Best Structured Islamic Finance House in the United Arab Emirates." These awards reflect its work in structuring Islamic finance deals, building a strong distribution network, and leading sukuk and Islamic structured transactions. The Dubai Financial Services Authority and other regulators have supported the growth of Islamic finance, helping the UAE become a global center for Shariah-compliant financial services.
Emirates NBD's senior leaders credited the awards to the bank's broad strengths and regional ambitions. Hisham Abdulla Al Qassim, Vice Chairman and Managing Director, said the recognition reflects the trust of clients and partners, and the dedication of the bank's teams. Group CEO Shayne Nelson said the twelve awards show Emirates NBD's ongoing focus on innovation, capital markets, customer service, and sustainable growth.
These results put Emirates NBD among the leading banks in the region, reflecting a wider shift toward social impact and sustainable finance in Dubai's financial sector, as reported earlier.
Emirates NBD's performance at the Euromoney awards highlights the growing importance of digital innovation, sustainable finance, and customer-focused strategies in Middle Eastern banking. The bank's approach sets a new standard for financial institutions in Dubai and the region.
