AUB was formed in May 2000 by a merger of the United Bank of Kuwait PLC and the Al-Ahli Commercial Bank B.S.C. It is one of the largest banks in the Middle East. It employs 3,294 people across eight countries. The Kuwaiti Public Institution for Social Security owns 18.9% of AUB, and Bahrain’s Social Insurance Organization owns a 10.01% stake. The bank reported $607.2 million in net profits attributable to its equity shareholders in 2021, an increase of 34% compared to 2020.