Kuwait – 1 May, 2017: Gulf Bank K.S.C.P. announced today its financial results for the first quarter of 2017. The Bank recorded a net profit of KD 9.4 million, an increase of 7% over the same period in 2016. Operating profit reached KD 29.9 million, 5% higher than Q1 of the previous year and 20% higher than the previous quarter.  This was the Bank's highest first quarter operating profit since 2010.  Total general provisions on the balance sheet stood at KD 219 million, representing nearly 40% of shareholders equity, a resilient cushion on top of a very healthy capital adequacy ratio of 18.4%, while total assets reached KD 5.6 billion.

Commenting on the results, Mr. Omar Kutayba Alghanim, Gulf Bank's Chairman said:" I am pleased to announce that the Bank started the year positively with an increase of 7% in our first quarter net profit compared to the same period of last year. The capital adequacy of the Bank remains strong at 18.4%, well above the regulatory requirement. These good results highlight the bank's progress quarter after quarter, and confirm that we are on the right track in delivering sustainable results. "

During the first quarter of the 2017, Gulf Bank held its Annual General Meeting for the fiscal year 2016. During the meeting, the shareholders approved a cash dividend of 7 fils per share, an increase of 75% compared with 4 fils per share in the prior year.

Gulf Bank continued to be strongly recognized internationally and locally. In the first quarter of 2017, the Bank set a Guinness World Record for the 'largest prize linked to a bank account payout in the world' with its Al Danah account prize of KD One Million.  In addition, World Finance Magazine awarded Gulf Bank with 'Best Mobile Banking Application - Kuwait' and 'Best Digital Bank – Kuwait'.

Gulf Bank received the "Best Training Plan" from the Manpower and Government Restructuring Program for its employee training programs, surpassing all other private sector companies in Kuwait. The Bank was also honored with an 'Excellence in VIP Customer Service' award at the Kuwait Public Relations and Customer Service Awards.

Mr. Alghanim concluded his remarks by saying:" I would like to thank everyone who has contributed to these good results. I appreciate the dedication of our management and staff, commitment of our Board of Directors and shareholders, and the support from the Central Bank of Kuwait. I also want to thank our customers for their support and for choosing Gulf Bank for their financial services."