United Gulf Bank B.S.C. (UGB) is a leading asset management and investment banking group, with operations spanning the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. From its home base in the Kingdom of Bahrain, and through its regional network of affiliates, the Bank engages primarily in asset and fund management, investment banking, private equity, and corporate finance. Other financial business activities include proprietary investments, treasury, brokerage, and commercial banking. Through its non-financial associate companies, the Bank holds substantial investments in the real estate, hospitality, communications and industrial sectors.

UGB was established as an offshore commercial bank in March 1980. It was initially incorporated as a closed Bahraini shareholding company with an authorised capital of US$ 150 million and paid up capital of US$ 74.5 million. In October 1981, the authorised and paid up capital was increased to US$ 250 million and US$ 200 million respectively, through a public offering of its shares. In 1988, 94 percent of the Bank's equity was acquired by Kuwait Investment Projects Company (KIPCO) and in the same year the Bank was licensed as an offshore investment bank. In 1999, KIPCO changed its legal structure to that of a holding company and its name to Kuwait Projects Company (Holding). The majority of UGB's shares continue to be held by KIPCO.

UGB’s shares are listed on the Bahrain Stock Exchange and Kuwait Stock Exchange.

UGB and its subsidiary KIPCO Asset Management Company (KAMCO), Kuwait, have a proven track record of successfully completing around 60 investment banking transactions for their clients since 2001 with an aggregate value of over US$ 7.5 billion including corporate finance, advisory, new issue placement and underwriting, corporate restructuring, bond issuance and merger and acquisition.

The KIPCO Group is one of the largest diversified holding companies in the Middle East and North Africa, with consolidated assets worth more than US$ 19.9 billion as of 30 September 2011. The Group has significant ownership interests in a portfolio of over 70 companies operating across 26 countries. The company’s main business sector focus is financial services, insurance and media. Through its core companies, subsidiaries and affiliates, KIPCO also has interests in the real estate, industrial, education and management advisory sectors.