Dubai-based bank, Emirates NBD, reports a 12% increase in revenue to AED 23.9 billion for the first half of 2025, owing to robust loan expansion and digital advancements.
In the first half of 2025, Emirates NBD, a leading financial institution in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, reported a significant increase in operating profit, marking a 12% year-on-year rise to AED 23.9 billion. This growth was supported by healthy credit conditions, strategic investments in technology, and expansion into regional markets.
The bank's Vice Chairman and Managing Director, Hesham Abdulla Al Qassim, credited the income surge to consumer momentum and business confidence. Group CEO Shayne Nelson emphasized Emirates NBD's transformation into a digital-first organization, with the bank recording a net impairment credit of AED 0.3 billion, reflecting a positive credit environment and improved asset quality.
Emirates NBD's digital transformation in 2025 focuses on modernizing its IT infrastructure by migrating hundreds of critical applications to Red Hat OpenShift Virtualization. This move aims to create a unified platform for container and virtual machine workloads, improving efficiency, reliability, and supporting generative AI use cases with on-premise GPUs.
The bank is also expanding digital banking through its ENBD X platform in Saudi Arabia, launching crypto trading services, and forging strategic partnerships with blockchain and payment technology providers to enhance fintech capabilities. Key upcoming plans and developments include migrating about 140 machines nightly to OpenShift Virtualization, leveraging Red Hat OpenShift AI on-premise GPUs, expanding digital offerings via ENBD X platform in Saudi Arabia, introducing crypto trading services, and strategic partnerships with Dubai Land Department to develop streamlined real estate transaction processes and innovative customer financial solutions.
Meanwhile, Emirates NBD's lending increased by AED 41 billion (8%) during the period, with half of the growth stemming from its expanding international footprint. The Group's lending growth was particularly strong in Saudi Arabia, achieving 27% loan growth in the Kingdom. With USD 50 billion in Assets Under Management, Emirates NBD has top Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) ratings.
Deposits rose by AED 70 billion (10%), including a record AED 48 billion surge in low-cost current and savings accounts. The Group continued to expand its presence in Saudi Arabia, and Emirates Islamic, a subsidiary of the Group, posted a record AED 1.9 billion profit in H1 2025. Emirates NBD is recognized as a leader in digital payments and Islamic finance.
In conclusion, Emirates NBD's 2025 digital strategy is characterized by infrastructure modernization with Red Hat OpenShift, expanded AI and cloud adoption, growth of digital and crypto banking platforms, and strategic collaborations that enhance digital services and ecosystem efficiency across the MENA region. The bank's disciplined growth strategy, coupled with its focus on innovation and digital transformation, positions it well for continued success in the future.
- The financial growth of Emirates NBD in 2025 was facilitated by strategic investments in technology, contributing to its transformation into a digital-first organization.
- In addition to the bank's digital transformation, it has also expanded digitally through its ENBD X platform, offering crypto trading services and forging partnerships with blockchain and payment technology providers.
- Emirates NBD's ongoing focus on technology and innovation is evident in its modernization of its IT infrastructure and its adoption of generative AI use cases with on-premise GPUs.
- The bank's digital strategy includes plans to leverage Red Hat OpenShift AI on-premise GPUs and migrate about 140 machines nightly to OpenShift Virtualization, aiming to improve efficiency and reliability.
- Emirates NBD's commitment to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives is evident in its management of USD 50 billion in Assets Under Management, earning top ESG ratings.
- As part of its growth strategy, Emirates NBD continues to expand its presence in the MENA region, aiming to leverage technology for continuous success and innovation in digital payments and Islamic finance.
