Umm Al Qaiwain:National Bank of Umm Al Qaiwain (NBQ) has secured the fifth position globally among 149 institutions in the small-bank category of Forbes' 'World's Top Performing Banks 2026' ranking. This prestigious ranking was developed in collaboration with the market research firm Statista.
According to Wam, the Forbes ranking included 500 banks from 89 countries, with the small-bank category featuring institutions with assets ranging between US$3 billion and $10 billion. NBQ's CEO, Adnan Al Awadhi, highlighted that the ranking underscores the strength and resilience of the bank's business model, emphasizing sound financial performance, disciplined balance-sheet management, and sustainable growth.
Al Awadhi expressed gratitude for the support of Umm Al Qaiwain's leadership, along with the bank's board, shareholders, customers, and employees. He noted NBQ's strong performance over recent years, including the first half of 2026, despite challenges such as geopolitical uncertainty and a lower interest-rate environment.
The CEO also remarked on the bank's diversified business model, robust capital and liquidity positions, and prudent risk management. These factors, coupled with a focus on asset quality, have contributed to NBQ's resilient performance and its capability to serve customers and the broader economy effectively.
NBQ plans to continue investing in digital technologies to enhance customer experiences, improve operational efficiency, and bolster the security and resilience of its digital platforms. Additionally, the bank aims to expand its services through strategic partnerships while advancing initiatives in Emiratisation, leadership development, sustainability, and community engagement.
The Forbes ranking evaluated banks based on four key dimensions profitability; growth and earnings quality; capital and funding resilience; and asset quality and efficiency. Eligibility criteria required institutions to be licensed deposit-taking banks involved in retail or corporate lending, with assets exceeding $3 billion, audited financial statements for the latest completed fiscal year, and at least three consecutive years of financial data.