In a new achievement that reinforces the bank’s leadership in community development and underscores its unwavering commitment to the principles of sustainability and national responsibility, the National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) has won the gold medal in the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) category at the Brandon Hall Global Awards for Excellence.

This international recognition acknowledges NBK’s exceptional efforts, which have solidified its position as the largest contributor to CSR in Kuwait’s private sector. It also demonstrates the bank’s success in transforming its vision of being an active partner in sustainable development into a tangible reality through impactful initiatives that align with international aspirations and leave a positive impact on society and future generations.

The selection criteria

for the CSR winners, as determined by Brandon Hall, involved an evaluation of submissions by a panel of experts and executive analysts within the group. These criteria included a number of rigorous standards that ensured the quality and effectiveness of the programs and initiatives, such as design quality and innovation, clarity of objectives, effectiveness of the tools and processes used, and measurable results that demonstrate the tangible impact of these programs on the community.

National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) was selected for this prestigious award in recognition of its launch and sponsorship of numerous outstanding social responsibility initiatives and programs. Among the most prominent are:

the “Bankee” financial literacy program, which focuses on building financial awareness through applied learning and has contributed to a clear improvement in financial behavior among young people;

employee health and well-being, where the bank has fostered a culture of preventative health and mental health within the workplace, including visits to the in-house clinic, visiting doctors, and mental health sessions and workshops; and

community initiatives, which have also contributed to the bank receiving this global recognition.

One of the most notable of these initiatives is the continued organization of the NBK Run, which achieves unparalleled success annually by promoting a healthy lifestyle and including people with disabilities in the race, thus enhancing their integration into society.

The bank also continued its “Do Good in the Month of Goodness” Ramadan campaign, which highlights the values ​​of social solidarity and safety through various programs, including the distribution of Iftar meals at traffic lights across Kuwait.

Enhancing Environmental Awareness: The bank implemented several environmental programs in collaboration with “Amnia” for recycling plastic waste and “Loyac” environmental programs, with the participation of young Kuwaiti men and women. The aim was to integrate environmental work with practical application, encourage volunteerism, and empower youth to be part of sustainable environmental solutions.

An Exceptional Year of Giving:

2025 was another year brimming with achievements for the National Bank of Kuwait in the field of social responsibility. The bank launched a range of initiatives and projects encompassing various health, educational, environmental, and sports aspects, within a comprehensive approach aimed at improving quality of life, supporting sustainable development, and empowering youth.

Among the initiatives and projects launched and implemented by NBK during 2025 were:

* The bank inaugurated the Shuwaikh Beach Development and Beautification Project, funded by the bank at a cost of 3 million dinars. This project transformed the 1.7-kilometer-long Shuwaikh Beach waterfront into a comprehensive urban recreational area featuring modern facilities, green spaces, and dedicated sports and leisure areas, representing a pioneering model of effective public-private partnership.

* The bank laid the foundation stone for the expansion of the National Bank of Kuwait Children’s Hospital for the treatment of blood diseases, cancer, and stem cell transplantation, at a cost of approximately 19 million dinars. This reflects the bank’s commitment to providing the highest levels of specialized healthcare.

* The bank contributed to the Sharq District Development Project by constructing a multi-story parking garage and a public park at a cost of nearly 7 million dinars, supporting infrastructure development and improving the quality of life in the capital.

* The bank launched innovative awareness campaigns to combat electronic fraud.

* Continued strategic partnership with LOYAC, where the bank continued to sponsor several of the organization’s programs aimed at empowering Kuwaiti youth and helping them achieve their goals and aspirations through academic and environmental training programs that included approximately 290 trainees, with the aim of supporting the aspirations of young men and women to become effective and influential leaders in the future.

* National Bank of Kuwait’s sponsorship of the KALD Award ceremony for outstanding students, as part of its strategic partnership with the Kuwait Association for Learning Differences, with the participation of 1,700 students, in addition to supporting 85 participants at Center 21 for People with Special Needs through the organization of regular activities and exhibitions.

* Implementation of quality programs to develop young talents, most notably the national “Aspire” summer training program, designed specifically for male and female students aged 14 to 18, which aims to provide them with a unique opportunity to gain valuable professional experience through theoretical and practical training. The program attracted 142 male and female students to four training courses at the bank’s headquarters from June 10 to August 7, 2025.

* Launching and sponsoring cultural and artistic initiatives in collaboration with the Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Cultural Centre, in addition to supporting sports through an ongoing partnership with the Rafa Nadal Academy, which included three training trips and tournaments during 2025.

* Continuing work on the Bankee program, which now covers 104 schools with a total of 13,000 female teachers and 53,000 male and female students.

* Continued focus on employee health and well-being through organizing programs, doctor visits, workshops, physical and mental therapy sessions, trips, activities, competitions, and recreational programs, with over 2,000 employee participation. Meanwhile, the National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) clinic recorded approximately 4,000 general medical check-up visits throughout the year.

* The bank continued launching its social solidarity and corporate social responsibility programs as part of its annual Ramadan campaign, reaching approximately 6,800 beneficiaries.

* The NBK Run, which the bank has been organizing for over three decades, saw the participation of more than 7,000 runners in its 2025 edition, including people with disabilities, who have always been an integral part of the race’s culture, aiming to raise awareness of the importance of social inclusion.

Through its corporate social responsibility initiatives, the National Bank of Kuwait affirms that it is not merely a financial institution, but a true partner in building a prosperous society and a sustainable future.

With its firm belief that investing in human capital is an investment in the future, Al Watani Bank places youth empowerment at the heart of its priorities. This is achieved through training programs and educational and sports initiatives that meet their needs and prepare them to be a dynamic and effective workforce in the future.

The Brandon Hall Group is a leading global research organization headquartered in the United States, dedicated to recognizing outstanding initiatives and best practices in education, leadership development, diversity and inclusion, and many other aspects of human resources.