NBK's Consumer & Digital Banking Group unveils five-year 2030 vision and strategy

07/10/2025 06:13 AST

At an event attended by a large gathering of National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) employees alongside the Bank's senior executives, the Consumer and Digital Banking Group unveiled its five-year strategy, marking a pivotal milestone in the bank's journey to redefine customer experience, accelerate digital innovation, and create new opportunities while reinforcing its leadership in the banking sector.

The Consumer and Digital Banking Group team played a prominent role in discussing the new strategy, examining its core pillars and strategic objectives before the audience, reaffirming the central role of the Bank's human capital in driving and delivering its long-term vision. Building on more than a decade of success, the new strategy underscores NBK's commitment to staying ahead of market developments and evolving customer expectations, while continuing to deliver innovative, seamless, and personalized banking experience.

Speaking at the event, Mohammed Al-Othman, Chief Executive Officer of Consumer & Digital Banking Group at NBK,stated:"In today's highly competitive market, success is no longer defined by what we achieve today, but by how well we prepare for tomorrow. Our new strategy serves as an engine of progress, placing our customers firmly at its core while anticipating their future needs. It builds on a legacy of more than a decade of achievements.We take pride in the many milestones we have achieved, but sustaining this momentum is essential. The time has come to be even more prepared for a future that demands agility, continuous innovation, and an unwavering commitment to excellence."

"The new strategy embodies our innovation-driven identity, with our customers always at the center of everything we do at NBK. It is designed to unlock new capabilities and invest in the future of banking, by empowering our people, accelerating digital adoption, and engaging with our customers in innovative ways that suit their diverse lifestyles," Al-Othman added.

Proactive vision and flexibility
The strategy announcement featured a panel discussion with leading experts in economics and banking, who explored shifts in the banking sector, global economic developments, current challenges, and emerging trends shaping the next phase of the industry. "This strategy is designed with built-in flexibility to evolve with market dynamics, ensuring the Bank remains ahead of the curve, not only by responding to our customers' needs, but by anticipating and shaping them," Al-Othman stated.

Al-Othman affirmed that the new strategy builds on a track record of success achieved in recent years, driven by a proactive vision across many of the Bank's operations. He explained that the strategy is anchored on four key pillars, the first of which focuses on training employees and developing competencies to ensure they are fully prepared to deliver the most advanced and innovative banking services.

The second pillar focuses on the modernization of the Bank's digital infrastructure over recent years to support the next generation of digital services. This development contributed to NBK's successful launch of Weyay Bank, Kuwait's first fully digital bank targeting the youth segment, which accounts for over 30 percent of the population. Since its launch in 2022, Weyay has consistently delivered results that have exceeded expectations.

The third pillar focuses on enhancing and developing the Bank's payment systems to meet international standards. This effort has yielded significant achievements, including the introduction of several services for the first time in Kuwait, such as Samsung Pay, Apple Pay, Fitbit Pay andGarmin Pay. Additionally, the recent acquisition of UPayments further strengthens the Consumer Banking Group's role in the payments sector and supports the Bank's vision of accelerating digital growth.

Furthermore, Al-Othman emphasized that the modernization of the Bank's branches represents a cornerstone of the Consumer Banking Group's comprehensive and proactive development vision. The initiative is designed to elevate the customer experience through extensive upgrades across key branches, including Al-Siddiq, Al-Agaila, and Al-Dasma. He added that, in recent years, the Bank has also focused on the holistic enhancement of its product offerings, including bank cards, aimed at strengthening customer loyalty and reaffirming NBK's enduring commitment to staying close to its customers.

"With the advanced digital infrastructure, we are no longer just interacting with customers, we are understanding their behavior and anticipating their aspirations. This forward-looking vision, combined with our operational agility, empowers us to deliver exceptional and sustainable value, while reaffirming NBK's position as a distinguished leader in the banking industry," he noted.

Unparalleled leadership
Through this integrated vision, NBK's Consumer and Digital Banking Group aims not only to accelerate its digital transformation but also to establish unparalleled leadership. This leadership is grounded in data-driven innovation and the cultivation of proactive, long-term partnerships with customers, ensuring that NBK remains the first choice for those seeking a financial partner who not only meets their current needs but also helps shape their financial future.

NBK has already started executing its new strategy through targeted strategic initiatives and key partnerships that are broadening its footprint in emerging sectors. The Bank views the rapid developments in the fintech sector not as mere challenges, but as promising opportunities to enhance its competitiveness and deliver greater value to its customers. NBK continues to leverage its comprehensive technological infrastructure and advanced digital solutions to further advance the concept of modern banking, connecting the capabilities of its digital systems with its large youth base through Weyay.

Harnessing deep data and analytics to deliver proactive and pioneering banking experiences, NBK maintains its leadership in Kuwait's digital banking sector. The Bank also invests in talent to provide exceptional customer experiences, solidifying its position as the preferred choice for clients seeking reliable, modern, and forward-looking financial services, and reinforcing its status as the most prepared institution for the future of banking.

Through this evolving strategic vision, NBK's Consumer and Digital Banking Group seeks to deepen customer engagement, accelerate digital transformation, and deliver greater value by leveraging advanced technologies and innovative products designed to meet the evolving needs of its customers.

Kuwait Times