Top Investment Banks in Kuwait | Largest Investment Banks in Kuwait

According to Capital Standards, “There are a total of 100 investment companies operating in Kuwait with 54 operating within the confines of the Islamic Sharia provisions and the rest operating as conventional investment companies.” The Central Bank of Kuwait does issue investment companies licences. View the list of some of the major investment companies (that offer investment banking services). According to Central Bank of Kuwait the total assets of the conventional investment companies stood at USD 24 billion and Islamic investment companies at USD 19.8 billion in 2011. To view the list of investment companies click here.

Top Investment Banks in Kuwait

Kuwait Financial Centre (Markaz)
Diraar Yusuf Alghanim | Chairman & Managing Director 
Kuwait Financial Centre ‘Markaz’ was established in 1974, and has become one of the leading asset management and investment banking institutions in the Arab region. The company was listed on the Kuwait Stock Exchange (KSE) in 1997. Markaz offers full fledged services in asset management and investment banking. Asset management services offered by the company include Investment Advisory Services, GCC & International Investments and Private Equities.
Assets under management: USD 3.64 Billion.

KAMCO
Established in 1998 with the mission to significantly alter the local and regional investment landscape, KAMCO is a premier investment company based in Kuwait. A subsidiary of United Gulf Bank (UGB) – the investment banking subsidiary of Kuwait Projects (Holding) Company (KIPCO) – KAMCO was listed on the Kuwait Stock Exchange (KSE) in 2003.
KAMCO’s Asset Management Division specializes in customized portfolio management, access to IPOs, and local and international fund management. The Investment Advisory and Research Division tracks the latest directions and trends across regional and local economies as well as equity markets and offers a range of customized services that focus on maximizing returns, mitigating risks, and maintaining capital appreciation for individual and institutional clients. The Company’s Financial Services and Investment Division offers a full range of advisory services on mergers and acquisitions, underwriting, private placements, debt issuance and restructuring, and private equity management.
Assets under management: USD 7,4 billion
Interview: Kuwait Capital Market 2012: CMA, Outlook, Equities, Bonds
Videos: KAMCO: Investment Strategy for 2012; Kuwait: Capital Markets Outlook 2012; Kuwait’s Capital Markets Authority: Overview and Expectations

Global Investment House
Maha K. Al-Ghunaim | Chairperson and Managing Director
Global Investment House (Global) is a Kuwaiti investment company licensed by the Central Bank of Kuwait and listed on the Kuwait, Dubai, Bahrain and London Stock Exchanges. Since its inception in 1998, Global has effectively provided investment solutions to its wide client base and played a noticeable role in the development of the regional capital markets. Global is one of the leading Asset Management, Investment Banking and Brokerage companies in the MENA region.
Assets under management: USD 5,1 Billion.

NBK Capital
NBK Capital was established in 2005 as the investment banking arm of National Bank of Kuwait (NBK), NBK Capital delivers an array of financial solutions in four principal business disciplines Alternative Investments, Asset Management, Brokerage & Research and Investment Banking.
Assets under management: USD 10.2 billion.

Top Islamic Investment Banks in Kuwait

 Kuwait Finance House
KFH was established in 1977. With total assets of $48 billion on Sept. 30, 2011, KFH is the largest bank in Kuwait. KFH has roughly 31% market share of total asset in Kuwait. KFH successfully expanded in the region and now has presence in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain, Malaysia, the Cayman Islands and Turkey. KFH has 212 branches globally and 15 consolidated subsidiaries. The Kuwait Investment Authority holds the largest stake in KFH (24%). The bank is rated by international agencies S&P, Moody’s and Fitch as A-, Aa3 and A+.
Assets: USD 48 billion in 2011

 Investment Dar
Investment Dar has diverse shareholder base with over 800 prominent and respected individuals and institutions mainly from Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar and Oman.
Assets: USD 3-4 billion in 2011.