Saudi National Bank, the kingdom's largest lender by assets, reported a net profit of SAR 13.03 billion, equivalent to about $3.47 billion, for the first half of 2026, an increase of 7.15% on the same period a year earlier, in a disclosure filed with the Saudi Exchange.
The bank attributed the increase to higher total operating income and a 1.5% fall in operating expenses. Total operating income rose 5.8% year on year to SAR 20.2 billion, supported by higher net special commission income, investment gains, banking fees and exchange income.
OPERATING INCOME UP 5.8 PERCENT
Net special commission income, the main revenue line for the group, climbed 7.4% year on year. Fee income from banking services was up 2.9% year on year, a more modest gain than the other main income lines.
The standout contribution to non-interest revenue came from foreign-exchange operations. Net exchange income jumped 20.8% year on year.
BOARD APPROVES 11.5 PERCENT CASH DIVIDEND
Alongside the earnings release, the board of directors approved an 11.5% cash dividend, equivalent to SAR 1.15 per share, to be distributed to shareholders. The payout totals SAR 6.9 billion and was scheduled for distribution on 10 August 2026.
Saudi National Bank was formed through the 2021 merger of National Commercial Bank and Samba Financial Group, creating the kingdom's largest bank by assets.
Loans and advances rose 3.5% year on year to SAR 739.6 billion, while customer deposits increased 6.0% to SAR 698.2 billion.
The bank's shares are listed on the Saudi Exchange. It is regulated by the Saudi Central Bank, known as SAMA, and full second-quarter and half-year financial statements were made available to investors alongside the earnings disclosure.