The National Bank of Egypt (NBE) has been named the safest bank in Egypt for 2026 by US-based Global Finance magazine, maintaining the position for the sixth consecutive year in an annual assessment of financial institutions across 114 countries and territories.
The recognition is part of Global Finance’s 35th annual ranking of the world’s safest banks, which has served as a reference for assessing the soundness of banking institutions for over three decades. The evaluations are based on long-term foreign currency credit ratings from international agencies Moody’s, Standard & Poor’s, and Fitch for the world’s 1,000 largest banks, providing a basis to evaluate their financial strength and ability to maintain stability and face risks.
Mohamed El-Etreby, Chief Executive Officer of the National Bank of Egypt, expressed his pride in the classification and the bank’s top position, particularly in light of mounting economic challenges and global market volatility. He affirmed that the stability of banks and their ability to face crises is crucial to ensuring the continuity of global trade.
El-Etreby noted that the ranking, which relies on reports from global credit rating agencies assessing the world’s largest banks, reflects the NBE’s ability to adhere to international technical and legal standards, thereby contributing to preserving the strength of the bank’s assets and the stability of its performance.
The classification further enhances confidence in the bank’s performance, stability, and growth rates, as it places safety standards at the top of its priorities, the CEO added. He stated that this encourages financial institutions to strengthen their partnerships with the bank and develop long-term relationships to achieve greater successes on local, regional, and global levels.
El-Etreby also highlighted that National Bank of Egypt’s ranking bolsters confidence in Egypt’s financial climate and affirms the strength and stability of the Egyptian banking sector, especially given the continuous economic reform measures undertaken by the state and the Central Bank of Egypt.
The full Global Finance results feature regional lists covering Africa, Asia, Australasia, Central and Eastern Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, North America, and Western Europe. The publication also includes lists of the top 50 commercial banks, top 50 emerging market banks, and the safest Islamic financial institutions.