Awards recognize KFH Group's outstanding performances in all fields

KUWAIT: Kuwait Finance House (KFH) continued its outstanding performance in all indicators and bagged 28 renowned international awards in 2017 at the Group level from prestigious international institutions.

The awards were in recognition of the Bank's distinguished performance in all fields, prestigious status and leading Islamic financial position, optimal methodology of customer service strategy, rolling out innovative products and services, success in adopting latest developments in banking technology and other areas that encompass the bank's businesses on the level of the Group.

KFH has been selected for the awards based on a wide range of criteria, from both the bank's core financials such as Profits, ROW, and ROA through to improvement year on year. Innovation is also a key indicator for judges so elements such as innovative products, customer services and initiatives also go a long way towards to the application, not to mention strength of strategy for attracting and servicing digital customers, breadth of product offerings, evidence of tangible benefits gained from bank's initiatives, strategic partnership, adherence to ethics and customer satisfaction. The criteria were evaluated by a world-class panel of judges, bankers, corporate finance executives and analysts throughout the world.

The awards culminate the bank's efforts in offering highest standards of Islamic financial services in different geographies in the world. They confirm KFH's pioneering position in the Islamic finance industry worldwide. They are an impetus for further achievements and success towards better addressing the customers' needs and ambitions.

KFH won three awards from the Banker Magazine, an international financial affairs publication owned by The Financial Times. The awards are "Islamic Bank of the Year 2017 - Global" Award, "Islamic Bank of the Year 2017 - Middle East" and "Islamic Bank of the Year 2017 - Kuwait" Awards.

Global Finance Magazine has awarded KFH the "Best Islamic Project Finance Provider in the World 2017", while "Best Up-And-Coming Financial Institution in the World 2017" for KT Bank AG, KFH's bank in Germany in the award ceremony held during the IMF/World Bank 2017 Annual Meetings held in the National Press Club in Washington, DC, USA. Also, the magazine awarded Best Islamic Financial Institution in Turkey" for KFH-Turkey. "Global Finance" named KFH the safest Islamic Financial institution in Kuwait.

KFH won "Best Consumer Digital Bank in Kuwait 2017" Award from Global Finance Magazine in the Middle East Category. Moreover, KFH and KFH-Turkey won Product innovation (Al-Nuwair Deposit), and Product Innovation (New Generation Credit Card) awards respectively in the category of The Innovators 2017 -Islamic Finance.

KFH-Turkey won "Best R&D Center in the banking and finance sectors in Turkey from the Science and Technology Authority affiliated to the Turkish Ministry of Science, Industry and Technology.

The global EMEA Finance Magazine Europe, Middle East and Africa has awarded KFH Group Best Islamic Bank in the Middle East, , Best Islamic Bank in Kuwait, and Best Bank in Kuwait awards, in addition to Most Innovative Bank in the Middle East 2017 award. Also, the magazine awarded KFH- Bahrain Best Islamic Bank in Bahrain 2017.

KFH won 4 prestigious awards from Islamic Finance News Magazine (IFN), which are "Best Islamic Bank in Kuwait", "Syndicated Deal of the Year" where KFH was an arranger and part of EGA (Emirates Global Aluminum) $4.9 billion Commodity Murabaha based Syndicated Term Financing Facility, "Kuwait Deal of the Year" where KFH was an arranger and part of Boubyan Tier 1 $250 million Sukuk, in addition to "US Deal of the Year" award for KFH acquiring office tower in US for $165 million.

Furthermore, KFH has received a recognition award from MasterCard, a leading technology company in the global payments industry, for being the first bank in the Middle East and Africa to launch a service powered by the MasterCard Digital Enablement Service (MDES) platform with its innovative 'KFH Wallet'. This reiterates the Bank's leadership in rolling out innovative e-Payment solutions, indicating this is the core of KFH's strategy in embracing technological innovation and utilizing it for the best interest of customers as per highest standards of quality, swiftness and security.

The bank won "Top Listed Institution in Kuwait 2017" award from "Forbes Middle East" magazine in an award ceremony held to celebrate top institutions, businesses and individuals that represent the backbone of resilient and prosperous economy.

Arab Media Forum

KFH reaped 5 awards at the Arab Media Forum which of which are 3 awards for excellent advertising, while 2 awards in the private sector for public relations and social responsibility for 2017. KFH also received awards of Public relations and Customer Service as part of Kuwait Award for Public Relations and Customer Service organized by Kuwait Public Relations Association under the patronage of HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.

The awards reflect the bank's credibility and success throughout 40 years of operation since establishment in 1977. KFH established concrete pillars for Islamic financing industry by developing staff, offering innovative services and products. KFH expanded globally where it operates in 7 regions around the world including Bahrain, Saudi, Turkey, Malaysia and Germany through over 480 branches, over 1000 ATMs and around 15000 employees.