Invest Bank has announced that Capital Intelligence Ratings has upgraded its Long-Term Foreign Currency Rating from BBB- to BBB+, reflecting improvements in the bank’s profitability, asset quality and overall financial performance.
The rating agency also upgraded Invest Bank’s Short-Term Foreign Currency Rating from A3 to A2, its Bank Standalone Rating from bb- to bb+, and its Core Financial Strength Rating from b+ to bb-.
The outlook for the bank’s Long-Term Foreign Currency Rating and Bank Standalone Rating remains Stable, while its Extraordinary Support Level has been maintained at High.
According to Capital Intelligence, the upgrades reflect the bank’s ongoing business transformation, including the expansion of its retail and SME banking operations, stronger operating income and improvements in funding costs.
Invest Bank recorded six consecutive quarters of operating income growth through Q2 2026. Its operating income-to-average-assets ratio increased to 3.43% in H1 2026, supported by improved net interest margins and lower funding costs.
The bank’s customer deposits increased by 17.2% during H1 2026, while its current and savings account (CASA) ratio rose to 32%, compared with 30% at the end of 2025.
Asset quality also improved, with non-performing loans declining to 28% of gross loans as of June 2026, their lowest level in several years. Coverage of non-performing loans reached 101%.
Capital Intelligence highlighted the continued financial support available from the Government of Sharjah, which directly and indirectly owns approximately 88% of Invest Bank.
Despite the upgrades, the rating agency noted that the bank continues to face challenges, including elevated operating costs, relatively weak profitability compared with peers and a high level of non-performing loans.
The Stable outlook reflects Capital Intelligence’s expectation that the bank’s ratings will remain unchanged over the next 12 months, supported by continued improvements in its banking operations and financial position.
Source: Invest Bank / Capital Intelligence Ratings
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as investment, financial, or legal advice.
