Kuwait, 23 September 2026: Kuwait International Bank (KIB) received the “Best Bank for Real Estate Banking Services and Innovation in PropTech in Kuwait for 2026” award from the World Union of Arab Bankers (WUAB), in recognition of its leadership in providing integrated real estate banking services and its efforts to develop innovative digital solutions that enhance the experience of customers and investors.
KIB was honored during the Arab Banks Awards and Commendations of Excellence 2026 ceremony, held in Istanbul, Türkiye, in the presence of leading figures from the Arab banking sector, as well as representatives of international and regional institutions. Representing KIB at the ceremony were Eng. Fahad Al-Saleh, Senior Manager of Real Estate Advisory and Digital Solutions at KIB’s Real Estate Department, and Eng. Hussam Al-Kolak, Real Estate Expert and Digital Lead for Real Estate Management at KIB.
This recognition reflects KIB’s deep-rooted expertise in the real estate sector, spanning more than five decades since its establishment in 1973 as Kuwait Real Estate Bank, as well as its success in leveraging technology to develop an integrated ecosystem of real estate solutions encompassing financing, advisory, valuation, and real estate asset management.
Commenting on the achievement, Al-Saleh said: “We are proud that KIB has received this award, which recognizes our extensive experience in the real estate sector and reflects the success of our approach in combining specialized expertise with innovation to deliver services and solutions that keep pace with market developments and the evolving needs of customers and investors. We will continue to build on this expertise in ways that enhance service efficiency and support the continued development of Kuwait’s real estate sector.”
From his side, Al-Kolak said: “At KIB, we focus on leveraging technology to simplify the customer experience and develop tools that provide easier and more efficient access to real estate services and information. This recognition serves as an incentive for us to continue advancing our digital solutions and keeping pace with developments in PropTech, further enhancing the experience of customers and investors.”
In the field of PropTech, KIB continued to advance its digital ecosystem, led by the “KIB Aqari” platform, which brings together a range of real estate services, including property valuation, third-party property management, real estate financing, and digital rent collection.
The Bank also launched the banking sector’s first construction cost calculator for residential plots, as well as the first digital real estate financing calculator for investment and commercial projects. In addition, KIB developed a real estate database and an online platform for accredited property valuers, with the aim of accelerating valuation processes while enhancing their accuracy and transparency.
KIB also reinforced its commitment to global professional best practices by joining the International Valuation Standards Council (IVSC), becoming the first bank in Kuwait to join the organization. This milestone supports the adoption of international standards and enhances the quality and reliability of real estate valuation processes.
These efforts are aligned with KIB’s commitment to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards by enhancing transparency and efficiency across its real estate services, developing digital solutions that support more informed and accurate decision-making, and adopting international best practices and professional standards in real estate valuation and advisory services.
It is worth noting that the World Union of Arab Bankers organizes the “Arab Banks Awards and Commendations of Excellence” ceremony through The Banking Executive Magazine, with the aim of highlighting outstanding achievements across the Arab banking sector. Since their launch in 2015, the awards have become one of the sector’s prominent events.
Headquartered in the Lebanese capital Beirut, the Union brings together more than 500 members from across the Arab banking sector and works to strengthen cooperation and communication among Arab banking institutions and leaders, while contributing to the development of the banking sector across the region.