Proposed trade name change supports the Group’s regional banking proposition, with an increased focus on Islamic financing, wholesale banking and cross-market client needs
Sheikh Abdullah Nasser Al-Sabah: Our strategy is to build a stronger, more integrated banking group anchored by our core franchise in Kuwait, while diversifying our financial solutions to include Islamic financing
Tony Daher: We are creating a more connected platform capable of serving clients whose needs increasingly extend across markets
Kuwait, 13 September 2026: Advancing its strategy to strengthen its core Kuwait business while building a more connected and differentiated regional banking proposition, Burgan Bank announced that shareholders of United Gulf Bank (UGB), at an Extraordinary General Meeting held on 3 September 2026, approved the proposed trade name change to Burgan Bank Bahrain, subject to completion of the remaining regulatory and legal approvals.
The proposed trade name change represents an important step in the continued evolution of Burgan Bank Group’s regional model. Upon completion, the Bahrain platform is intended to play a strategically important role within the Group, with an increased focus on Islamic banking and financing capabilities that complement Burgan Bank’s existing offering and expand the Group’s ability to serve clients whose financial requirements extend across Kuwait and key regional markets.
The move supports Burgan Bank’s broader strategy of strengthening its position in Kuwait while selectively expanding the capabilities available across its regional network. By bringing the Bahrain operation into closer alignment with the Burgan Bank brand, strategy and operating model, the Group aims to create a more agile and connected proposition that can leverage its combined relationships, expertise and market access across the region.
Sheikh Abdullah Nasser Al-Sabah, Chairman of Burgan Bank Group and Chairman of UGB, said: “This proposed trade name change reflects a deliberate step in the continued evolution of Burgan Bank Group. Our strategy is to build a stronger, more integrated banking group anchored by our core franchise in Kuwait and supported by differentiated capabilities across our regional markets. This also forms part of our strategy to diversify our financial solutions to include Islamic financing, further strengthening our ability to address the diverse needs of our clients. Bringing our Bahrain operations into closer strategic alignment with the Group strengthens that foundation and positions us to pursue sustainable growth with greater focus, connectivity and long-term value creation.”
On his part, Tony Daher, Group Chief Executive Officer of Burgan Bank, said: “By aligning the Bahrain operation more closely with Burgan Bank and increasing its focus on Islamic financing and wholesale banking solutions, we are creating a more connected platform capable of serving clients whose needs increasingly extend across markets. It will allow us to bring together the Group’s relationships, expertise and regional reach in a way that is more agile, more relevant and firmly aligned with our ‘Driven by You’ philosophy.”
Under its future strategy, the Bahrain operation will remain focused on wholesale banking, with particular emphasis on expanding its Islamic financing and treasury investment portfolios, alongside capabilities across corporate banking, fixed income, and treasury and global markets products.
The proposition will primarily serve high-net-worth individuals, family offices, corporate clients and financial institutions, with a geographic focus spanning Kuwait, Bahrain, the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
The increased focus on Islamic financing is intended to strengthen the Group’s ability to serve clients seeking Sharia-compliant solutions while complementing the broader banking capabilities available across Burgan Bank Group. The Bahrain bank’s existing licence permits both Islamic and conventional financing, and the proposed strategic direction does not constitute a conversion of its banking licence.
The proposed trade name change also reflects Burgan Bank Group’s broader ambition to develop a regional banking model in which its businesses are more closely connected by a shared strategy, brand and client proposition, while retaining the market-specific capabilities required to serve their respective client bases.
The Central Bank of Bahrain issued its no-objection to the proposed name in January of this year. Following shareholder approval at the EGM, the process remains subject to further regulatory and legal requirements, including approvals from the Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MOIC) and the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB) in relation to the required amendments to the Bank’s Memorandum and Articles of Association.
The new legal name will become effective only once the amended Memorandum and Articles of Association have been executed before the Notary and an updated Commercial Registration has been issued. Until completion of these requirements, the EGM approval represents approval of the proposed trade name change and does not, in itself, make the new legal identity effective.
Through the proposed trade name change, Burgan Bank Group continues to advance a strategy centred on a strong Kuwait franchise, differentiated regional capabilities and a more integrated proposition capable of supporting the increasingly sophisticated and cross-border requirements of its clients.