Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – February 8, 2026:
In a move reflecting the robustness and strong performance of the Saudi banking sector, Saudi First Bank (SAB), the leading financial institution in the Kingdom, announced its annual financial results for the year ended December 31, 2025. The results showed strong financial performance, with the bank achieving a net income after zakat and income tax of SAR 8.45 billion , registering a growth of 5% compared to the previous year.
Key financial indicators for 2025
The bank's financial statements demonstrated balanced growth across all business sectors, driven by an ambitious strategy and high operational efficiency. A summary of the key figures follows:
- Net income: SAR 8,452 million (up 5% from SAR 8,070 million in 2024).
- Total operating income: SAR 14,724 million (an increase of 5% compared to SAR 14,018 million in 2024).
- Net loans and advances: jumped to SAR 299 billion, a remarkable increase of 15%, reflecting the bank’s vital role in financing the economy.
- Customer deposits: rose to SAR 323 billion, a strong growth of 21%, confirming the high level of customer confidence in the bank.
- Equity: It has increased to reach 79 billion Saudi Riyals, an increase of 14%, highlighting the strength of the capital base.
Historical context: A century of banking leadership
These results are particularly significant as they come on the eve of the bank's centenary in 2026. Saudi First Bank is the continuation of a long-standing banking legacy that began as the first bank to operate in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This long history has not only endowed the bank with experience but has also cemented its position as a strategic partner in Saudi Arabia's development journey over the decades, from financing early infrastructure projects to its current role in supporting the Kingdom's Vision 2030 initiatives.
Suspension of leadership and strategic direction
Commenting on these results, Ms. Lubna Olayan , Chair of the Board of Directors of Alawwal Bank, stated: “2025 was a remarkable year in terms of outstanding financial performance, driven by a clear and disciplined execution methodology.” Ms. Olayan noted that this performance reflects the strength of the bank’s business model and its focus on enhancing operational efficiency, emphasizing the continued revenue growth despite global economic challenges and interest rate fluctuations.
Economic role and sustainability
The significant 15% increase in the loan portfolio demonstrates the bank's commitment to supporting the private sector and major projects, in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030. This excellence wasn't limited to the financial aspect; the bank continued its leadership in sustainability and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices. Its sustainable financing portfolio exceeded SAR 45 billion, and the bank issued two green bonds worth USD 1.9 billion, in addition to launching the first green mortgage product in the Kingdom. These efforts culminated in the bank's upgrade to an "A" rating on the Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) Global Index.
International Awards and Recognition
In recognition of its efforts in innovation and digital transformation, the bank garnered a number of prestigious awards in 2025, including “Best Bank in the Kingdom” and “Best Digital Bank.” These awards, along with the bank’s ongoing strategic partnership with the HSBC Group, underscore Saudi First Bank’s ability to provide world-class banking services that meet the aspirations of both businesses and individuals.
As the bank enters its second century, “Al-Awwal” appears to be in a strong financial and strategic position that enables it to continue leading the Saudi banking sector and delivering sustainable value to its shareholders and customers.
