CBK online banking is the digital service of the Commercial Bank of Kuwait (Al-Tijari). You use it on cbk.com or in the CBK Mobile app. New customers can open an account fully in the app with a Civil ID scan, a selfie video and an e-signature. Existing customers register with their Civil ID, debit card and PIN, then log in with a user ID, password or Face ID. The 24/7 contact centre is 1888225 (WhatsApp 5088 8225). A new app account must be funded within 15 days or it is closed.
On this page
- CBK online banking at a glance
- How to open a CBK account in the CBK Mobile app
- Requirements for expats
- Registering for CBK online banking (existing customers)
- What you can do in CBK Online and CBK Mobile
- Transfers: WAMD, local and international
- Paying bills and government fees
- Cards and travel
- Common CBK online login problems
- Contact and branches
- CBK compared with other Kuwaiti banks for expats
- Frequently asked questions
- Related guides
CBK online banking at a glance
The Commercial Bank of Kuwait was founded in 1960 and is known locally as Al-Tijari (التجاري). Its online banking runs on two channels that share one login: the website cbk.com and the CBK Mobile app for iPhone and Android. Most customers use the app day to day and the website for downloads such as statements.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Website | cbk.com → Online Banking |
| App | CBK Mobile (App Store and Google Play) |
| Contact centre | 1888225, 24 hours |
| 5088 8225 | |
| Card deactivation from abroad | +965 2299 0899 |
| Head office | Mubarak Al-Kabeer Street, Kuwait City |
| Login methods | User ID and password, Touch ID or Face ID, OTP for sensitive actions |
Download CBK Mobile only from the official App Store or Google Play listing, and type cbk.com yourself rather than clicking links in SMS or WhatsApp messages. CBK will never ask for your full PIN, password or OTP by phone or message.
How to open a CBK account in the CBK Mobile app
CBK was one of the first Kuwaiti banks to offer fully digital onboarding. If you have a valid Civil ID and a Kuwaiti mobile number, you can open a Kuwaiti dinar account for an individual without going to a branch.
- Download CBK Mobile and tap Open new account.
- Enter your Kuwaiti mobile number and the 4-digit OTP, then your email address.
- Scan the front and back of your Civil ID and confirm the details pulled from PACI.
- Choose the account type and whether you want a debit card. Set a 4-digit PIN and pick delivery or branch pickup.
- Activate e-services, sign electronically and record a short (about 10-second) selfie video.
- Accept the terms. The bank calls you back to confirm. Deposit the minimum balance within 15 days, or the new account is closed.
The app opens KD accounts for individuals. Accounts in other currencies, joint accounts and company accounts still need a branch visit.
Requirements for expats
Expats can bank with CBK on the same terms as citizens once they have residency. What you need depends on the type of account.
- A valid Civil ID. Residency must be in force; you cannot open an account on a visit visa.
- A Kuwaiti mobile number in your name for OTP codes.
- For a salary account, a salary certificate from your employer addressed to the bank. Salary accounts are what make you eligible for loans and credit cards later.
- FATCA/CRS tax-residency forms, which every bank in Kuwait collects.
- The minimum balance shown in the app for the account type you choose. It appears before you confirm.
If your employer already pays salaries through CBK, opening a salary account there usually means your salary arrives earlier in the day and loan approval is simpler. Salaries in Kuwait must be paid into a local bank account under the Wage Protection System.
Registering for CBK online banking (existing customers)
If you already have a CBK account and debit card but have never used online banking, register once. The same credentials then work on the website and in the app.
- On cbk.com choose Online Banking → Register, or tap Register in CBK Mobile.
- Enter your Civil ID number, your ATM/debit card number and its PIN.
- Enter the OTP sent to the mobile number registered with the bank.
- Choose a user ID and a strong password.
- In the app, enable Touch ID or Face ID so that you do not have to type the password each time.
If the OTP does not arrive, your mobile number in the bank’s records is probably out of date. Update it at a branch, an interactive teller machine or through the contact centre before you try again.
What you can do in CBK Online and CBK Mobile
| Service | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Accounts | Balances, transaction history, statements, IBAN certificate |
| Local transfers | Between your own accounts, to other CBK customers, to other Kuwaiti banks, and instant WAMD transfers by mobile number |
| International transfers | Transfers abroad and Western Union through the app |
| Payments | MEW electricity and water, telecom bills, government payments, Civil ID fees and traffic fines |
| Cards | Freeze or unfreeze, limits, PIN, travel use, Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, Fitbit and Garmin Pay |
| Support | Live video banking and webchat inside the app |
| Products | Loan applications, Al-Najma prize-draw account, salary packages |
Transfers: WAMD, local and international
WAMD instant transfers
WAMD is Kuwait’s instant payment service by mobile number. Link your mobile number to your CBK account once in the app; after that you can send money to anyone whose Kuwaiti bank account is linked to a mobile number, and receive money the same way. It is the quickest way to split a bill or pay a landlord who accepts it.
Transfers to other banks in Kuwait
Add the beneficiary with their name and IBAN (it starts with KW). New beneficiaries and higher limits are confirmed by OTP. Check the IBAN carefully: transfers sent to the wrong account are hard to recover.
Sending money abroad
You can send international transfers and use Western Union in the app. Before sending large or regular amounts home, compare the final amount received with a licensed exchange company app, because rates and fees differ by corridor. See our guide to exchange companies in Kuwait.
Paying bills and government fees
- MEW: pay electricity and water bills; landlords sometimes include them in rent, so check your contract.
- Telecom: pay Zain, Ooredoo and stc postpaid bills and recharges.
- Government: pay Civil ID fees and traffic fines. Many fines and fees are also payable through the Sahel app and government sites by K-Net, using the same CBK card.
- Keep the e-receipt; government offices sometimes ask for proof of payment.
Cards and travel
Your CBK debit card works on K-Net, the national debit network that almost every shop, delivery app and government site in Kuwait accepts. Add it to Apple Pay or Samsung Pay in the app for contactless payment. Before travelling, check that international use is switched on and that limits suit your trip. If the card is lost abroad, freeze it in the app or call +965 2299 0899.
Common CBK online login problems
| Problem | What to do |
|---|---|
| Forgot password | Use Forgot password in the app or on the site with your Civil ID, card and OTP, or call 1888225 |
| User locked after wrong attempts | Wait and reset the password, or call the contact centre to unlock |
| OTP not received | Check that your registered mobile number is current; update it at a branch or through the contact centre |
| Civil ID expired | Renew it with PACI and update the bank; some services stop until the bank has the new expiry date |
| New phone | Install CBK Mobile, log in with your user ID and password, and enable biometrics again |
| Beneficiary needs extra approval | Some e-services require a signed e-services form at a branch |
Contact and branches
- Contact centre: 1888225, 24 hours, 7 days.
- WhatsApp: 5088 8225.
- Card deactivation from abroad: +965 2299 0899.
- Head office: Mubarak Al-Kabeer Street, Kuwait City, with branches in every governorate. Typical branch hours are Sunday to Thursday, roughly 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM; some mall branches open in the evening.
CBK compared with other Kuwaiti banks for expats
| Bank | Expat salary account | Call centre |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial Bank of Kuwait (CBK) | Salary accounts via app; fully digital onboarding | 1888225 |
| National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) | Salary KD 400+ (Expat Package) | 1801801 |
| Kuwait Finance House (KFH) | Salary KD 200–400+ | 1803333 |
| Gulf Bank | Salary KD 250+ | 1805805 |
| Burgan Bank | Salary KD 250+ | 1804080 |
Minimum-salary thresholds change with promotions, so confirm with the bank before applying. CBK and Warba stand out for fast app onboarding; NBK and KFH have the largest branch and ATM networks.
Frequently asked questions
How do I register for CBK online banking?
On cbk.com or in CBK Mobile, choose Register, enter your Civil ID, debit card number and PIN, then the OTP sent to your registered mobile, and create a user ID and password.
Can expats open a CBK account online?
Yes. With a valid Civil ID and a Kuwaiti mobile number you can open a KD account in the CBK Mobile app. Salary accounts need a salary certificate.
What is the CBK customer service number?
The contact centre is 1888225 (24/7) and WhatsApp is 5088 8225. From abroad, call +965 2299 0899 to deactivate a card.
What is the minimum balance at CBK?
It depends on the account type chosen in the app. The amount is shown before you confirm and must be deposited within 15 days.
How do I reset my CBK online password?
Use Forgot password in the app or on the website with your Civil ID, card and OTP, or call 1888225.
Can I send money abroad with CBK Mobile?
Yes. The app supports international transfers and Western Union. Compare the rate with exchange company apps for large amounts.
Is CBK the same as Al-Tijari?
Yes. Al-Tijari (التجاري) is the Arabic name of the Commercial Bank of Kuwait.