Top 10 Largest Banks in the Middle East and Africa

We take a closer look at 10 of the largest banks in the MEA region, ordered my assets in 2021.

10. Absa Group

Absa Group Limited is a South African-based financial services group, offering personal and business banking, credit cards, corporate and investment banking, wealth and investment management, as well as bank assurance.

Assets ($million): 104,485


9. FirstRand

FirstRand Limited is one of the largest financial institutions in South Africa and provides banking, insurance and investment products and services to retail, commercial, corporate and public sector customers. In addition to South Africa, the group operates in eight key African countries, namely, Botswana, Namibia, Swaziland, Lesotho, Zambia, Mozambique, Tanzania, Ghana and Nigeria. FirstRand Bank has branches in London, Guernsey and India.

Assets ($million): 111,045


8. Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank

Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank PJSC, commonly called ADCB, is a bank in the United Arab Emirates. It offers consumer wholesale banking, treasury, and investment services. 

Assets ($million): 111,940


7. Al Rajhi Bank

The Al Rajhi Bank is a Saudi Arabian bank with over 600 branches. Its head office is located in Riyadh, with six regional offices. Al Rajhi Bank also has branches in Kuwait and Jordan, and a subsidiary in Malaysia and Syria.

Assets ($million): 124,970


6. National Bank of Egypt

National Bank of Egypt is a bank founded in Egypt in June 1898. It has 540 branches within the country and is headquartered in Cairo.

Assets ($million): 125,001


5. Saudi National Bank (National Commercial Bank)

The Saudi National Bank (SNB), also known as AlAhli Bank, formerly known as The National Commercial Bank (NCB), is a Saudi Arabian bank. It was founded In December 1953 and is headquartered in Riyadh.

Assets ($million): 159,788


4. Standard Bank Group

The Standard Bank of South Africa Limited is a South African bank and financial services group. Formed in 1862, it is Africa's biggest lender by assets.

Assets ($million): 172,851


3. Emirates NBD Bank

Emirates NBD Bank PJSC is Dubai's government-owned bank, initially formed as National Bank of Dubai (NBD) on 19 June 1963 by then Dubai's ruler Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, forming the first national bank established in Dubai.

Assets ($million): 190,059


2. First Abu Dhabi Bank

First Abu Dhabi Bank is the largest bank in the United Arab Emirates. It was formed following a merger between First Gulf Bank (FGB) and National Bank of Abu Dhabi. It offers financial solutions, products and services through its Corporate and Investment Banking and Personal Banking franchises.

Assets ($million): 250,221


1. Qatar National Bank

Qatar National Bank (QNB Group) is a Qatari multinational commercial bank headquartered in Doha, Qatar. Founded in 1964, it was the country's first domestically-owned commercial bank.

Assets ($million): 281,55

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