Norway fund divests from First International Bank Of Israel stock
Published on 10/12/2026 at 09:19 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWSKey points in brief
- Norway's sovereign wealth fund divested from First International Bank of Israel among five Israeli banks on October 12, 2026.
- The latest second-quarter results showed ILS 583 million in net income and a dividend distribution of ILS 558 million.
- The bank's annual general meeting is scheduled for October 25, 2026, while Matam merger talks run through October 31, 2026.
First International Bank Of Israel stock was among five Israeli banks from which Norway's sovereign wealth fund divested on October 12, 2026, according to Gulf Times. The fund said the combined stakes in the five banks were valued at USD 661 million as of June 30, 2026, placing the decision in a wider ethics review of Israeli financial groups.
Three dates shape the story
On August 13, 2026, Simply Wall St reported a second-quarter dividend distribution of ILS 558 million, equal to 96 percent of quarterly net income. On September 3, 2026, the bank signed a memorandum of understanding covering the Matam merger, with negotiations scheduled through October 31, 2026, according to Simply Wall St. The fund divestment reported on October 12, 2026, is the latest of the three events.
What does the payout mean?
The bank's second-quarter net income was ILS 583 million, while the ILS 558 million distribution represented 96 percent of that quarterly result. The payout was also described as equivalent to a 6.1 percent dividend yield as of June 30, 2026, according to Simply Wall St. That comparison matters because a high distribution supports immediate cash returns but leaves less quarterly profit inside the bank for capital growth.
The latest quarterly statement also gives the divestment news a financial counterweight. First International Bank of Israel generated ILS 583 million in net income in the second quarter of 2026, up from ILS 480 million in the first quarter, while revenue rose from ILS 1.648 billion to ILS 1.801 billion over the same periods. The figures come from the standardized financial record for the bank's 2026 second quarter.
Dates ahead for the bank
Simply Wall St lists the annual general meeting for October 25, 2026. The Matam merger negotiations are scheduled to continue through October 31, 2026, according to Simply Wall St. Together, the dates define the next corporate checkpoints after the fund's decision.
First International Bank Of Israel facts
- Company: First International Bank of Israel Ltd
- ISIN: IL0005930388
- Ticker: FIBI
- Primary exchange: TASE
- Market capitalization: ILS 22.8 billion (as of October 2, 2026)
- Sector / Industry: Financial Services / Regional Banks
Market context: Market report TA-35.
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