Ahli United Bank B.S.C. ("AUB" or the "Bank") was established as a bank in Bahrain on 31 May 2000 following a merger between The United Bank of Kuwait PLC ("UBK") and Al-Ahli Commercial Bank B.S.C. ("ACB") pursuant to which UBK and ACB each became wholly owned subsidiaries of AUB. The Bank operates under a retail banking license issued by the Central Bank of Bahrain ("CBB"). 

In addition to the Group's wholly owned operations of AUB (Bahrain) and AUB (United Kingdom), AUB Group has an 85.4 % stake in AUB (Egypt), a 74.9% stake in AUB (Kuwait), a 68.9% stake in Commercial Bank of Iraq, a 40% stake in United Bank of Commerce & Investment (Libya) and a 35% stake in Ahli Bank (Oman). AUB also has a 50% stake in Legal & General Gulf, an insurance joint venture with UK-based Legal & General. 

AUB and its network of subsidiaries and associated companies (the "AUB Group" or the "Group") form a banking group providing (i) retail banking, (ii) corporate banking, treasury and investment, (iii) private banking and wealth management services and (iv) Sharia'-compliant banking services under the "Al Hilal" brand name.

The Bank is continuously assessing and seeking to expand in the GCC and to acquire complementary banking platforms in identified secondary markets in the Middle East and North Africa ("MENA") region in order to act as a preferred regional and international intermediary for its clients. AUB Group's diverse geographical footprint provides a conduit to tapping cross border business and investment flows within the MENA region. The AUB Group's presence in the United Kingdom services the need of its Gulf clients in UK. 

AUB's strong performance over the years has earned it a string of prestigious awards, including most recently:

• "Best Bank in the Middle East (2012)" from Euromoney 

• "Best Bank in Bahrain (2012)" from Global Finance and Euromoney for the seventh consecutive year 

• "Bank of the Year – Bahrain (2012)", for the seventh consecutive year from The Banker

• "Best Foreign Exchange Provider in the Middle East 2012" for the seventh consecutive year by Global Finance

• "Best Private Bank in Bahrain 2012" from Euromoney

• "Elite Quality Recognition Award" from JP Morgan Chase, the leading global financial services firm.

• " STP Award" from Commerzbank AG, for operational efficiency in processing funds transfers and international transactions in Euro.