Despite the challenging operating environment, the overall asset quality of banks in the region stayed relatively sound. Banks in Qatar, Lebanon and Oman have seen an increase in their average CAR. Despite the slight decline, the average CAR of Saudi banks remained the highest in the region, at 20.3% in 2018. Meanwhile, Middle Eastern banks remained well-capitalised, with capital adequacy ratio (CAR) averaging 18.3% and Tier 1 capital ratio averaging 16.8% in 2018.

The average ROA of Saudi banks on the list improved further to 2.3%, the highest in the region. The weighted average return on assets (ROA) went up to 1.65% in 2018 from 1.59% in 2017, and the average return on equity (ROE) was higher at 12.6% from 12%. Qatari banks enjoyed the lowest average cost to income ratio, while the ratio for banks in Jordan and Kuwait improved the most. Banks’ operational efficiencies improved, reflected by the fall in the weighted average cost to income ratio of the 100 largest banks in the region from 38% in the previous year to 36.9%. The overall profitability of banks in the Middle East improved marginally in 2018. Most banking systems in the Middle East and Africa demonstrated continued resilience This year, the evaluation covered banks from 16 countries, namely Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Algeria, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, Morocco, Nigeria and South Africa, and ranked them according to both asset size and overall strength. These findings were revealed by the Middle East and Africa 200 (MEA 200) 2019, the evaluation of the 200 largest banks in the Middle East and Africa for the financial year 2018. Total assets of Qatar National Bank surpassed that of First Abu Dhabi Bank and Standard Bank Group by 17% and 60%, respectively. Qatar National Bank, First Abu Dhabi Bank and Standard Bank Group remained as the top three largest banks by assets in the Middle East and Africa. The bank posted a rapid balance sheet growth while maintaining a strong liquidity position, with relatively healthy asset quality and a high non-interest income to total income ratio, and these were all instrumental in helping the bank attain impressive results in its balance sheet strength.īanks in Saudi Arabia and UAE remain the strongest in the Middle East, while South African and Egyptian banks are the leaders in Africa. With the strength score at 3.52 out of five, National Bank of Egypt is the strongest bank in Egypt and the third strongest bank in Africa. National Bank of Egypt tops the ranking of Strongest Banks By Balance Sheet in Egypt and ranks third in Africa National Bank of Egypt, along with other strongest banks in the region, was recognised at The Asian Banker 500 (AB500) Strongest Banks By Balance Sheet ceremony held in conjunction with the annual SWIFT-organised SIBOS convention in London, United Kingdom. The ranking is based on a very detailed and transparent scorecard that evaluates banks on six areas of balance sheet financial performance: the ability to scale, balance sheet growth, risk profile, profitability, asset quality and liquidity. London, United Kingdom, 24 September 2019 – National Bank of Egypt tops the ranking of Strongest Banks By Balance Sheet in Egypt and ranks third in Africa in this year’s The Asian Banker Strongest Banks by Balance Sheet, which is the most comprehensive annual evaluation that captures the quality and sustainability of the balance sheets of the banks in the Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa regions.

Saudi Arabia tops Islamic bank ranking, while Malaysia dominates share of assets.

Most banking systems in the Middle East and Africa demonstrated continued resilience.

National Bank of Egypt tops the ranking of Strongest Banks By Balance Sheet in Egypt and ranks third in Africa.

Financial Services and Related Research Sources.

The Heads of Retail Finance Virtual Meeting.

Bank Managers' Challenge and Convention.

Excellence in Retail Financial Services.

TAB Finance Diary of Events (Full Event Diary).

The Best Retail Financial Services Rankings.Green and Sustainable Finance Working Group.Decentralised Finance (DeFi) Working Group.

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