Arab National Bank announced today (Monday) its preliminary financial results for the first half of 2026, achieving a net profit attributable to shareholders of 2.78 billion riyals, compared to 2.64 billion riyals in the same period of 2025, a growth of 5.4%.

According to the bank's statement on the 'Tadawul' website, total operating profit rose to 5.33 billion riyals at the end of the first half, compared to 5.09 billion riyals in the same period last year, an increase of 4.8%, while net profit before zakat and tax reached 3.28 billion riyals, a growth of 6.6%.

During the first half of 2026, total special commission income from financing rose by 5.2% to 6.34 billion riyals, while total special commission income from investments grew by 13.7% to 1.61 billion riyals. Net special commission income from financing also increased by 2.2% to 3.17 billion riyals, and net special commission income from investments rose by 9.9% to 1.10 billion riyals.

The bank attributed this performance to the growth of the net loan and advance portfolio by 10.4% to 205.78 billion riyals, in addition to an increase in net investments by 17.7% to 64.70 billion riyals.

1.42 billion riyals in Q2 profits

For the second quarter of this year, the bank recorded a net profit attributable to shareholders of 1.42 billion riyals, compared to 1.34 billion riyals in the same quarter last year, an increase of 6.5%, and also grew by 4.7% compared to the first quarter of 2026.

The bank explained that the profit growth in the second quarter was supported by an increase in net special commission income, net gains on financial instruments measured at fair value through profit or loss, gains on sale of investments held for non-trading purposes, foreign currency exchange gains, in addition to growth in other operating income, along with a decrease in credit loss allowances compared to the same period last year.

Strong growth in equity

The results showed the bank's assets grew by 9.6% to reach 295.52 billion riyals, while customer deposits rose by 7.9% to 217.75 billion riyals. Shareholders' equity recorded strong growth of 20.3% to reach 52.44 billion riyals at the end of June 2026.

On the other hand, operating expenses before credit loss and other loss allowances increased by 9.6% to 1.76 billion riyals during the first half, affected by higher staff costs, general and administrative expenses, and depreciation and amortization. However, net credit loss and other loss allowances decreased by 25.4% to 315 million riyals, supported by improved credit quality of the portfolio and continued effectiveness of credit policies applied under International Financial Reporting Standard No. 9.

Total comprehensive income attributable to shareholders reached 2.84 billion riyals, compared to 2.88 billion riyals in the same period last year, a slight decrease of 1.4%, while earnings per share amounted to 1.28 riyals, versus 1.30 riyals in the comparable period.

6.5% cash dividends

In a related context, the Board of Directors of Arab National Bank decided to distribute interim cash dividends to shareholders for the first half of the year amounting to 1.29 billion riyals.

The bank stated that the number of shares eligible for dividends is 1.986 billion shares, with a per-share distribution of 0.65 riyals per share, equivalent to 6.5% of the par value.

Eligibility will be for shareholders who own shares at the end of trading on July 23, 2026, and are registered in the company's shareholder register at the Depository Center at the end of the second trading day following the record date. The dividend payment will begin on August 4, 2026, subject to obtaining no objection from the Saudi Central Bank.