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Emirates NBD’s 2024 Net Profit Rises 7% To $6.3 Billion

Emirates NBD has reported a 7% year-on-year increase in its net profit for 2024, reaching $6.3 billion (AED 23 billion). The rise was driven by strong income growth, robust loan performance, and a strategic focus on digital banking and revenue diversification.

Key Highlights

  • Total Income: Emirates NBD’s total income for 2024 rose by 3% year-on-year, reaching $12 billion (AED 44.1 billion), underpinned by a 10% growth in loans and a stable, low-cost funding mix.
  • Loan Growth: The bank issued $43.6 billion (AED 160 billion) in new loans, leading to a 16% year-on-year increase in its assets.
  • Corporate Loans: The lender provided $23.9 billion (AED 88 billion) in new corporate loans, leveraging its optimized regional network. Retail lending also surged by 30%, driven by growth in its Priority and Private banking segments.
  • Operating Expenses: Operating expenses rose 18% year-on-year, totaling $3.8 billion (AED 13.8 billion).
  • Earnings Per Share (EPS): EPS grew by 7%, reaching 356 fils in 2024.

Strong Performance Across Business Units

Emirates Islamic, the bank’s Sharia-compliant arm, achieved a record profit of $762.3 million (AED 2.8 billion). Deposit growth was also notable, with an increase of $22.3 billion (AED 82 billion) in 2024, including a $13.1 billion (AED 48 billion) rise in current and savings accounts. The bank’s international expansion, particularly in Saudi Arabia, contributed to a 57% increase in its loan book, with 21 branches and 62 ATMs.

Digital Transformation

  • 98% of new current accounts were opened via digital channels, with 40% through the mobile app and 58% via assisted tablets.
  • The bank also saw a ninefold increase in digital wealth transaction volumes in 2024.

Other Noteworthy Achievements

Emirates NBD maintained a one-third market share of UAE credit card spend, with card spending up 18% in 2024.

The bank ranked number one in UAE IPOs and successfully priced over 100 sukuk and bond issues through Emirates NBD Capital.

Ranked sixth on Forbes Middle East’s lists of the 30 Most Valuable Banks 2024 and the Top 100 Listed Companies 2024, Emirates NBD continues to solidify its position as a leading financial institution in the region. Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman, emphasized the bank’s strategy for growth: “Our international expansion story is one of growth, diversification, and resilience, leveraging our unique proposition to expand our footprint across the MENA region and beyond.”

With a total of $44 billion (AED 160 billion) in assets under management as of January 29, 2025, Emirates NBD is well-positioned to maintain its leadership in both the domestic and international markets.

YouTube Enhances Podcast Experience With AI And Smart Playback Features

YouTube Advances Its Podcast Strategy

YouTube is expanding its podcast offering with a set of new features for Premium subscribers, including AI-powered recommendations, an Auto Speed playback setting and an updated on-the-go listening mode. The additions are designed to improve podcast discovery and make audio content easier to consume across different listening environments.

Redefining Content Discovery

The new recommendation system uses artificial intelligence to suggest podcasts based on users’ listening habits, interests and previously consumed content. The launch comes as competition intensifies across the podcast industry, with major platforms investing heavily in personalized content discovery and audience retention. Growing interest in video podcasts has also prompted streaming and technology companies to expand podcast-related offerings as they compete for user engagement.

Optimized Playback With Auto Speed

YouTube’s new Auto Speed feature automatically adjusts playback speed throughout an episode based on pacing and content delivery. Unlike traditional speed controls, which apply a fixed playback rate, the feature is designed to adapt dynamically to different speaking styles and segments while maintaining clarity and comprehension. The update aims to help listeners consume content more efficiently without manually adjusting playback settings.

Seamless On-The-Go Listening

An updated listening mode introduces controls designed for users who consume podcasts while commuting, exercising or multitasking. The feature includes shortcuts for skipping ahead, returning to previous sections and moving directly to the next episode. By simplifying navigation, YouTube is seeking to improve the background listening experience for audio-focused users.

Strategic Positioning In A Competitive Market

The latest updates build on YouTube’s broader push into audio content and subscription services. Earlier initiatives included the Ask Music feature, which allows Premium subscribers to generate personalized playlists and radio stations. According to the company, Premium users logged more than 800 million hours of podcast listening in April 2026, while YouTube Podcasts surpassed 1 billion monthly active users. Those figures highlight the platform’s growing presence in a market traditionally dominated by dedicated audio services.

Availability Across Platforms

Currently, both the Auto Speed feature and the on-the-go mode are available for Premium users on Android devices, with plans to expand support to iOS in the coming months. This phased rollout highlights YouTube’s focus on enhancing user experience across diverse operating systems, ensuring that its premium offerings meet the evolving needs of its global user base.

Conclusion

By infusing its podcast model with AI-driven personalization and smart playback features, YouTube is not only refining the user experience but also positioning itself strongly against competitors. As the podcast market continues to swell, such strategic innovations are essential for maintaining and growing user engagement in a highly competitive digital ecosystem.

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