Commercial International Bank – Egypt (CIB) recorded pre-tax profits of EGP 86.952 billion during the first nine months of 2026, compared to EGP 83.482 billion in the corresponding period of 2025, according to the bank’s standalone financial statements.

The financial statements revealed that the bank’s net profit increased to EGP 62.973 billion during the period from January through the end of September 2026, compared to approximately EGP 62.207 billion during the same period last year.

Hisham Ezz Al-Arab: CIB’s Operating Profits Rose by 18% After Excluding Exceptional Items

Commenting on the bank’s financial results, Hisham Ezz Al-Arab, Chief Executive Officer of Commercial International Bank – Egypt (CIB), said that a direct comparison between the bank’s profits in the third quarter of the current year and those recorded in the corresponding period last year might not reflect the true picture of its performance, given that the comparative period’s results included exceptional items related to the reversal of provisions amounting to approximately EGP 13 billion.

In an interview with Al Arabiya Business, Ezz Al-Arab added that the bank’s operating profits increased by approximately 18% after excluding these exceptional items, stressing that the results for the first nine months of the current year remain higher than those recorded during the same period last year.

He explained that the reversal of provisions resulted from a recalculation of the Expected Credit Loss (ECL) model, noting that these amounts were not included in distributable profits but were instead transferred to a special reserve in accordance with accounting and regulatory standards.

CIB’s Core Business Records Growth of Nearly 20%

The CIB CEO stressed that the key priority for the bank’s management is to maintain the continuity of its operating performance, pointing out that the bank’s core business recorded growth of nearly 20%, alongside continued expansion of its customer base.

Ezz Al-Arab also noted that the bank’s profits, when measured in US dollars despite exchange rate fluctuations, recorded growth of approximately 9%.

CIB Maintains Its 2026 Profit Forecast of EGP 80–85 Billion

Regarding the bank’s profit expectations for the current year, Ezz Al-Arab confirmed that estimates ranging between EGP 80 billion and EGP 85 billion remain unchanged.

He stressed that the management is keen to provide realistic and achievable forecasts in a manner that strengthens market and investor confidence in the bank’s performance.

CIB’s Strategy Focuses on Deposit Growth and Maintaining Safe Liquidity Levels

Ezz Al-Arab explained that Commercial International Bank’s strategy is based on growing deposits first before expanding lending activities, with the aim of maintaining safe liquidity levels.

He pointed to the bank’s success in increasing its Egyptian pound-denominated deposits over the past period, despite monetary policies aimed at reducing liquidity levels in the market, while maintaining its loan-to-deposit ratio within a range of 60% to 70%.

He added that the bank’s strategy does not rely solely on pricing or interest rates, but focuses primarily on the quality of services provided to customers and enhancing the customer experience, considering these factors the main drivers of increasing market share and strengthening the bank’s competitiveness.

Hisham Ezz Al-Arab Comments on the Central Bank’s 100-Basis-Point Interest Rate Hike

Commenting on the Central Bank’s decision to raise interest rates by 100 basis points, Ezz Al-Arab said the move would have a positive impact, but would not constitute the main driver of Commercial International Bank’s strategy, which is centered on delivering added value to customers and deepening relationships with them.

Ezz Al-Arab: Regional Stability Supports Economic Activity

Regarding regional developments, the CIB CEO noted that conditions in the region represent an influential factor in economic activity. However, he said he sees indications that the situation is moving toward greater stability, whether with regard to the Russian-Ukrainian crisis or developments in the Gulf region, thanks to the diplomatic efforts led by countries in the region.

He added that any potential decline in oil prices would have a positive impact on the Egyptian economy, given the deficit in the energy sector. It would also help ease pressure on public finances and reduce the need to increase energy prices.

Ezz Al-Arab explained that such developments would support the Central Bank of Egypt’s efforts to contain inflation over the coming period.

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