Invest bank reports strong H1 2026 results, with Dhs80.5m profit before tax
- Last updated: August 7, 2026 | 14:35
Gulf Today, Staff Reporter
Invest bank (INB) on Friday announced its financial results for the half-year ended June 30, 2026, reporting sustained profitability growth, supported by higher net interest margins, robust fee-income momentum, and continued balance-sheet expansion across its core business segments.
Profit before tax increased by 61% year-on-year to Dhs80.5 million. The bank's momentum continued to strengthen, with second-quarter profit before tax of Dhs58.0 million, up 159% from the first quarter.
The bank continued to grow its balance sheet during the period, with total assets reaching Dhs16.1 billion, a 27% year-on-year increase (+14% YTD), marching towards the highest ever balance sheet since inception. Customer deposits grew to Dhs13.3 billion, up 30% year-on-year (+17% YTD), while net loans and advances increased to Dhs8.8 billion, up 49% year-on-year (+22% YTD).
Net interest income increased by 111% year-on-year to Dhs164.1 million, and net interest margin improved to 2.2%, up from 1.3% in the corresponding period last year. Non-interest income rose 40% year-on-year to Dhs94.7 million, driven by core business growth, particularly higher balance sheet volumes, with foreign exchange income being a key contributor.
The bank's growth was broad-based, with continued diversification of its customer base to accelerate its Retail Banking business alongside its established Wholesale Banking franchise. The Retail loan book crossed the Dhs1 billion mark for the first time, closing at Dhs1.1 billion (+73% YTD), while Retail CASA balances reached 46% of retail deposits, up from 35% at the end of 2025, reflecting continued customer trust in the bank's growing digital capabilities. Core Wholesale Banking loans grew by Dhs1.2Bn (+18% YTD), while deposits book grew by Dhs1.1bn (+13% YTD), underscoring the bank's diversified growth across segments.
These results follow two significant milestones for INB in 2026. In February, the bank unveiled its new "Fit for Future" identity as part of a strategic transformation and relisted on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX), reflecting strengthened fundamentals after returning to profitability in 2025. In July, Fitch Ratings assigned INB an investment-grade BBB+ rating with a Stable Outlook, backed by the expected government support alongside adequate capitalisation, good liquidity coverage and improving financial performance. The “Stable Outlook” reflects the expectation that the bank will continue to execute its strategy while maintaining appropriate capital and liquidity buffers.
The rating follows a multi-year transformation programme undertaken by the bank to strengthen its balance sheet, enhance governance, risk management, improve operating performance and reposition the bank for sustainable growth. Following past restructuring, the bank returned to profitability in 2025 and has continued to build this momentum through disciplined execution and a clear strategic focus.
Edris Al Rafi, Chief Executive Officer of Invest bank, said: "Our first-half results demonstrate that our transformation is delivering. Profit before tax is up 61% year-on-year. Our balance sheet continues to grow on a scale, and we are doing so, while strengthening asset quality and maintaining a prudent capital and liquidity position. This performance, together with our new identity and our first investment-grade rating from Fitch, reflects the confidence our shareholders, regulators and customers place in INB today. We are building a bank that is more diversified, more digitally enabled and more resilient than at any point in our history, and we remain firmly focused on translating this momentum into sustained, long-term value for our shareholders."