Mashreq Bank PSC (MASQ) announced record profit before tax of AED 4.8 billion for the first half of 2026, up 18% year-on-year, on operating income of AED 6.8 billion. The performance underscores the resilience of Mashreq’s diversified franchise and disciplined execution against a backdrop of heightened regional and global uncertainty.
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Mashreq delivered a strong first half in 2026, translating the strength of its diversified business model and the resilience of its franchise into record profitability, robust returns and a materially stronger balance sheet, all achieved through one of the most demanding regional environments in recent years.
Growth of this scale was achieved without compromise to quality or prudence: a deep, low-cost deposit base funded lending growth, asset quality held firm with the non-performing loan ratio at 0.9%, and capital strengthened even as the balance sheet expanded. Sustained investment in artificial intelligence and digital platforms deepened the Bank’s capabilities while preserving a disciplined cost base.
Chairman of Mashreq, H.E. Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair said, “The first half of 2026 tested the region, and the UAE answered with the resilience that has come to define it. Against a backdrop of heightened geopolitical uncertainty, the nation’s economic foundations held firm, underpinned by prudent policy, a deepening non-oil economy, and a financial system that continued to operate from a position of strength and stability.
Throughout the period, the banking sector remained well positioned to support businesses, investors and communities, while maintaining strong capital, liquidity and prudent oversight. Within this context, Mashreq delivered operating income of AED 6.8 billion and a return on equity of 21%, underscoring the resilience of the Bank and the effectiveness of its long-term strategic direction.
The Board remains focused on ensuring that Mashreq continues to grow responsibly, with governance, risk management and financial strength at the core of every decision.
As the UAE advances its standing as a global centre for trade, capital and innovation, Mashreq will continue to serve as a key enabler of that ambition, empowering clients, championing responsible finance, and reinforcing the nation’s position as one of the world’s leading financial hubs.”
Group Chief Executive Officer of Mashreq, Ahmed Abdelaal said that, “The first half of 2026 was shaped by heightened geopolitical and macroeconomic disruption across the region and globally, affecting markets, trade corridors and client decisions. Against this backdrop, Mashreq delivered record profit before tax of AED 4.8 billion, up 18% year-on-year, with Q2 profit before tax increasing 28% year-on-year and return on equity at 21%. The results reflect the resilience of our diversified franchise, disciplined execution and the continued trust of our clients.
The quality of growth remained strong: customer deposits increased 28%, customer lending grew 26% and non-interest income rose 17% to 38% of operating income. Asset quality remained robust, with a non-performing loan ratio of 0.9%, while stronger capital and liquidity preserved our capacity to support clients prudently.
Our priority throughout the period was to stay close to clients across our network and help them manage liquidity, financing, trade, payments and risk as conditions evolved. Our international footprint and direct US dollar clearing capability helped keep critical trade and capital flows moving across key global corridors. Operational resilience and seamless, secure service remained non-negotiable, with continuity maintained across our channels, platforms and markets.
We enter the second half focused on disciplined growth, thoughtful capital allocation and continued investment in our people, technology, data and controls. These priorities will strengthen resilience, improve the client experience and deepen the relationships that underpin Mashreq’s long-term performance. I want to thank our colleagues across the network for the commitment and precision behind these results.”
Revenue and Income
Robust double-digit operating income growth, delivered across net interest and non-interest income, drawing on the full breadth of Mashreq’s lending, fee and investment businesses.
- Operating income grew 10% year-on-year to AED 6.8 billion, with net interest income increasing 7% to AED 4.2 billion and non-interest income rising 17% to AED 2.6 billion, taking the non-interest contribution to 38% of the total.
- Net interest income grew 7% year-on-year to AED 4.2 billion, supported by 26% growth in loans and advances and a 63% CASA ratio that held the cost of funds low, with net interest margin strengthening 5 basis points to 2.78% in Q2 2026 from 2.73% in Q1 2026 against a stable benchmark rate.
- Non-interest income advanced 17% year-on-year to AED 2.6 billion, led by an 11% increase in fee and commission income to AED 716 million on stronger transaction banking, trade finance and syndication activity, reflecting deeper client activity across the Bank’s transaction and financing businesses.
- Net investment income grew 57% year-on-year to AED 335 million, driven by favorable fair value movements on the Bank’s equity investment portfolio and realized gains across investment securities, with the Q2 2026 contribution rising to AED 286 million from AED 48 million in Q1 2026.
- Insurance, FX and other income increased 13% year-on-year to AED 1.6 billion, underpinned by robust cross-border client flows and transaction banking activity across Mashreq’s international network.
Expenses and Efficiency
A strong cost-to-income ratio of 31%, maintained through disciplined efficiency even as the Bank invested at scale in its digital and operating capabilities.
- Operating expenses of AED 2.1 billion, reflected targeted investment in Gen-AI initiatives, digital onboarding infrastructure and the platforms and people supporting the Bank’s growth, with the cost-to-income ratio sustained at 31%.
- Income growth and efficiency gains from digitization continued to absorb this incremental investment, sustaining a disciplined cost base without constraining strategic spend.
Earnings Performance
Record earnings and superior returns, delivered through accelerating profitability and resilient earnings quality.
- Net profit before tax increased 18% year-on-year to AED 4.8 billion, as strong revenue growth and a net impairment writeback more than absorbed continued investment in the Bank’s technology and platforms.
- Profit before tax advanced 11% quarter-on-quarter to AED 2.5 billion in Q2 2026, sustaining the earnings trajectory established through the year.
- Net profit after tax grew 17% year-on-year to AED 4.0 billion, with an effective tax rate of 15.8% under the UAE Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT) and Pillar Two rules, broadly consistent with full-year 2025.
- Return on equity of 21% and return on assets of 2.2% were sustained even as shareholders’ equity expanded 19%, with earnings per share rising 17% to AED 19.2, underscoring the earnings power of a materially larger balance sheet.
Credit Quality
Sector-leading asset quality, held firm as lending grew 26%, with a 0.9% non-performing loan ratio and coverage strengthened to 271%.
- The absolute stock of non-performing loans declined even as customer lending grew 26% year-on-year, reflecting the quality of Mashreq’s credit selection and active portfolio management.
- Impairments recorded a net writeback of AED 122 million in H1 2026, against a charge in H1 2025, as recoveries on previously written-off exposures more than offset new provisioning charges, reflecting the quality and strength of Mashreq’s credit portfolio.
- Coverage of 271% was built from 210% at June 2025, as the Bank continued to add expected credit loss allowances against a growing portfolio, reinforcing an already substantial buffer against future losses.
Capital and Liquidity
Capital strength that advanced with scale, the Capital Adequacy Ratio rising to 16.9% while the balance sheet expanded 25%.
- The Capital Adequacy Ratio strengthened to 16.9%, a rise of 114 basis points quarter-on-quarter from 15.8% at March 2026, with Tier 1 at 15.6% and Common Equity Tier 1 at 13.8%, each standing well above regulatory requirements including the full D-SIB buffer.
- The capital base grew AED 7.1 billion, or 19%, to AED 44.0 billion, principally through retained earnings, funding 26% year-on-year growth in lending while lifting the Bank’s capital ratios.
- Liquidity remained robust, with a Liquidity Coverage Ratio of 147% and a Loan-to-Deposit Ratio of 74%, both comfortably within regulatory requirements and providing substantial capacity to support continued client demand.
Balance Sheet
Scale and strength across the balance sheet, with total assets reaching AED 365.7 billion on growth of 25%, led by deposit inflows that outpaced lending and funded a larger investment book.
- Total assets advanced 25% year-on-year to a record AED 365.7 billion, as growth across every client business expanded the balance sheet.
- Customer deposits grew 28% to AED 227.2 billion, adding AED 22.3 billion in H1 2026 alone, outpacing 26% growth in customer loans to AED 169.1 billion and reinforcing Mashreq’s deposit-led funding base.
- The strength of the deposit base funded a larger investment portfolio, which expanded to AED 76.1 billion in high-grade, liquid securities.
Looking Ahead
Mashreq enters H2 2026 with a resilient business model, a reinforced capital position and a funding base broadened by strong deposit growth, providing a solid platform for continued progress.
The Bank’s operations and financial standing remain sound across all its markets, with risk and business continuity frameworks maintained at full readiness and exposures managed prudently against a demanding regional backdrop.
Management’s priorities for the remainder of the year are consistent with those that shaped H1 2026: growing fee and transaction income, advancing the Bank’s artificial intelligence and digital capabilities, and deepening activity across its international trade and payment corridors.
Underpinning this is a disciplined balance sheet, with a reinforced capital base, robust liquidity and a cost of risk consistent with a high-quality loan book providing the foundation for Mashreq to continue generating strong, sustainable returns as it grows.
The UAE and the wider region have again demonstrated their stability and resilience through an extraordinary period, and their long-term economic foundations remain firm. Mashreq will continue to stand alongside its clients and the communities it serves across its markets, committed to supporting them and to contributing to the strength and stability of the region through the period ahead.
