Emirates Islamic Named Best Islamic Corporate Bank in the World at Global Finance Awards 2025
Emirates Islamic, one of the UAE’s leading Islamic financial institutions, has received two major accolades at the Global Finance - Best Islamic Financial Institutions Awards 2025. The bank was named the ‘Best Islamic Corporate Bank in the World’ and ‘Best Islamic Financial Institution in the UAE’, reinforcing its position as a regional and global leader in Shariah-compliant finance.
These prestigious awards recognize institutions that have made significant contributions to the advancement of Islamic finance. Emirates Islamic was honored for its innovative value proposition in corporate and institutional banking, encompassing working capital finance, trade finance, project finance, syndications, and cash management for corporates, government-related entities, and financial institutions.
In 2024, the bank achieved a record year for its Corporate and Institutional Banking division, with approximately 30% year-on-year growth in income. A major milestone included the successful management of its debut USD 500 million Islamic syndicated facility, marking a first for a UAE-based Shariah-compliant bank.
Emirates Islamic has also intensified its focus on ESG-linked financing, participating in over USD 3.5 billion in ESG-related syndicated financings. The bank’s investment in digital transformation includes a fully integrated global Cash and Trade finance ecosystem and the use of API banking and host-to-host platforms to streamline client operations.
In addition to global recognition, Emirates Islamic was awarded ‘Best Islamic Financial Institution in the UAE’ in acknowledgment of its record-setting performance in 2024. The bank delivered a 46% year-on-year growth in profit before tax, reaching AED 3.1 billion, while total income climbed by 13% to AED 5.4 billion. A key highlight was the successful issuance of its inaugural USD 750 million 5-year Sustainability Sukuk, supporting its commitment to sustainable Islamic finance.
Farid AlMulla, Chief Executive Officer at Emirates Islamic, stated:
“Since our inception two decades ago, we have remained at the forefront of Islamic finance in the UAE. These global recognitions are a testament to our consistent innovation, ethical banking standards, and unwavering dedication to customer-centric Shariah-compliant solutions.”
Mohammad Kamran Wajid, Deputy CEO, added:
“Our strategic focus on corporate and institutional banking, along with heavy investments in digital infrastructure, has enabled us to deliver best-in-class experiences to our clients. We are proud to be recognized both regionally and globally for our leadership.”
These honors highlight Emirates Islamic’s commitment to innovation, ethical banking, and sustainable growth, setting benchmarks for Islamic finance locally and internationally.
