First Abu Dhabi Bank

Corporate brand

The largest bank in the United Arab Emirates, created in 2017 through the merger of First Gulf Bank and National Bank of Abu Dhabi.

Last updated November 4, 2026

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Overview

First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) is a major United Arab Emirates banking group headquartered in Abu Dhabi. It was created in April 2017 through the combination of First Gulf Bank (FGB) and National Bank of Abu Dhabi (NBAD), bringing together FGB's corporate and retail banking activities with NBAD's long-established Abu Dhabi franchise and international presence. The transaction produced the largest bank in the UAE and one of the leading financial institutions in the Middle East. The merger was announced in July 2016 after the boards of both banks unanimously recommended the combination. Shareholders approved the transaction in December 2016, and the deal was implemented through a share exchange under which FGB shareholders received 1.254 NBAD shares for each FGB share. The resulting institution adopted the name First Abu Dhabi Bank to express the combined heritage of the two predecessors: “First” came from First Gulf Bank, while “Abu Dhabi” reflected NBAD's historic identity and the group's home market. FAB operates as a diversified banking group rather than a narrowly focused retail bank. Its activities include personal and consumer banking, corporate and commercial banking, investment banking, transaction banking, treasury services, wealth and asset management, and Islamic banking-related offerings. The bank serves individuals, small and medium-sized businesses, large corporations, financial institutions, governments, and government-related entities. Typical products include current and savings accounts, cards, personal lending, mortgages, business finance, trade finance, cash-management services, foreign exchange, capital-markets services, and investment products. The group maintains an international network spanning the Middle East and Africa, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Americas. Its predecessor National Bank of Abu Dhabi had operated in the United Kingdom since 1977, and FAB later continued that international banking presence. The bank also expanded in Saudi Arabia in 2019 and has an Egyptian operation known as FABMISR. Its geographic reach supports cross-border corporate finance, trade, investment, and wealth-management activity linked to the UAE and the wider Gulf region. FAB is listed on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange under the ticker FAB. It is frequently described by banking and financial publications as the UAE's largest bank and has received rankings relating to safety, scale, and regional competitiveness. In 2021, Hana Al Rostamani became group chief executive officer. More recent strategic activity has included work with Abu Dhabi-based institutions on a proposed dirham-backed stablecoin and partnerships intended to broaden investment-management capabilities for Gulf Cooperation Council clients. FAB's current positioning combines the balance-sheet scale of a national champion with international corporate banking, investment, and wealth-management capabilities. First Abu Dhabi Bank P.J.S.C. (FAB) is a United Arab Emirates banking group headquartered in Abu Dhabi. It was created in 2017 through the merger of First Gulf Bank and National Bank of Abu Dhabi, combining First Gulf Bank’s comparatively modern commercial and consumer-banking platform with the long-established domestic and international franchise of National Bank of Abu Dhabi. The resulting institution became one of the UAE’s largest banks and a significant financial-services group in the Middle East. FAB serves several broad customer groups. Its personal and consumer activities include current and savings accounts, deposits, credit and prepaid cards, personal lending, vehicle finance, mortgages, insurance and investment products. The bank also offers Islamic banking products alongside conventional services. Private and wealth banking activities are directed at affluent and high-net-worth clients and include investment solutions, securities and brokerage services, advisory capabilities and wealth-management products. For companies and institutions, FAB provides corporate and commercial banking, transaction banking, trade finance, liquidity and cash-management services, corporate finance, Islamic finance and capital-markets support. Trade services include letters of credit, guarantees, bills of collection and trade or supply-chain finance. Its investment-banking and markets operations cover advisory, securities, financing and risk-management products connected with credit, interest rates, foreign exchange and money markets. The group operates internationally through branches, subsidiaries and regulated offices. The available reference material identifies activity in Europe, Arab countries, the Americas and Asia, including a wholesale banking operation in Singapore licensed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore. An associated Financial Services Regulatory Authority registration in Abu Dhabi Global Market records an active foreign-company branch permitted to accept deposits, provide credit and arrange custody, while excluding retail clients under the applicable conduct rules. FAB is a publicly traded company on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange under the symbol FAB. Its present positioning combines the balance-sheet scale and domestic importance of a leading UAE bank with international wholesale banking, investment banking, markets and wealth-management capabilities. The bank’s predecessor identity remains relevant in some overseas records: National Bank of Abu Dhabi was incorporated in the United Kingdom under its former name before the group adopted the FAB name. FAB operates as a diversified banking group rather than a narrowly focused retail bank. Its activities include personal and consumer banking, corporate and commercial banking, investment banking, transaction banking, treasury services, wealth and asset management, and Islamic banking-related offerings. The bank serves individuals, small and medium-sized businesses, large corporations, financial institutions, governments, and government-related entities. Typical products include current and savings accounts, cards, personal lending, mortgages, vehicle finance, insurance, business finance, trade finance, cash-management services, foreign exchange, capital-markets services, and investment products. Private and wealth banking activities are directed at affluent and high-net-worth clients and include investment solutions, securities and brokerage services, advisory capabilities and wealth-management products. Trade services include letters of credit, guarantees, bills of collection and trade or supply-chain finance. Its investment-banking and markets operations cover advisory, securities, financing and risk-management products connected with credit, interest rates, foreign exchange and money markets. The group maintains an international network spanning the Middle East and Africa, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Americas. Its predecessor National Bank of Abu Dhabi had operated in the United Kingdom since 1977, and FAB later continued that international banking presence. The bank also expanded in Saudi Arabia in 2019 and operates in Egypt through FABMISR. International offices are generally oriented toward corporate, institutional, wholesale, investment-banking or wealth-management clients rather than replicating the full UAE retail model. In Singapore, the bank is identified as a Monetary Authority of Singapore-licensed wholesale bank with permissions covering several capital-markets and corporate-finance activities. In Abu Dhabi Global Market, an FSRA register records a foreign-company branch as active from a 2022 registration date, with permissions that include deposits, credit and custody and a restriction against dealing with retail clients. FAB is publicly listed on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange under ticker FAB. It is frequently described by banking and financial publications as the largest bank in the UAE and has received rankings for safety, scale and regional competitiveness. In 2021, Hana Al Rostamani became group chief executive officer, having previously served as deputy chief executive officer. Recent strategic activities include a proposed dirham-backed stablecoin with ADQ and IHC, a new London location, and investment-management partnerships with Amundi and T. Rowe Price aimed at broadening offerings for GCC investors. FAB's current positioning combines national-champion balance-sheet scale with international corporate banking, investment and wealth-management capabilities.

History

First Abu Dhabi Bank was formed from the merger of First Gulf Bank and National Bank of Abu Dhabi. The two institutions announced the proposed combination on 3 July 2016 after their boards unanimously supported the transaction. The merger was designed to unite two large UAE banking franchises and create a bank with greater scale in domestic banking, corporate finance, investment banking, and international operations. The transaction received shareholder approval on 7 December 2016. It was structured as a share exchange, with First Gulf Bank shareholders receiving 1.254 National Bank of Abu Dhabi shares for each First Gulf Bank share. Completion followed in April 2017, when the combined institution began operating as First Abu Dhabi Bank. The new name and visual identity were intended to preserve elements of both predecessor brands. “First” reflected First Gulf Bank, while “Abu Dhabi” retained the geographic and institutional identity associated with National Bank of Abu Dhabi. The logo incorporated the F.A.B. acronym and the Awwal, or “First,” mark. The merger created the largest bank in the United Arab Emirates and gave the group a broad platform across retail, commercial, corporate, investment, treasury, transaction, and wealth banking. FAB's customer base includes individual consumers, businesses, major corporations, financial institutions, and public-sector-related entities. Its services include deposits, cards, personal lending, mortgages, corporate credit, trade finance, cash management, foreign exchange, investment products, capital-markets services, and asset management. International activity has been an important part of the combined bank's history. National Bank of Abu Dhabi had established a United Kingdom presence in 1977, and FAB retained that international lineage after the merger. The group operates across five broad geographic regions: the Middle East and Africa, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Americas, in addition to its UAE home market. FAB also began operations in Saudi Arabia in 2019 and operates in Egypt through FABMISR. The bank has also faced legal scrutiny related to allegations concerning plans to undermine the Qatari riyal during the 2017 Gulf diplomatic crisis. Qatar filed a lawsuit in 2019 against FAB and another bank in New York, while separate proceedings were brought in London against Banque Havilland. The available reference material does not provide a final judgment or settlement in the FAB case. In 2021, Hana Al Rostamani became group chief executive officer. Subsequent strategic initiatives have included a proposed dirham-backed stablecoin with ADQ and IHC, a new London location, and investment-management relationships with Amundi and T. Rowe Price aimed at expanding offerings for GCC investors. First Abu Dhabi Bank’s history is rooted in two Abu Dhabi banking institutions. National Bank of Abu Dhabi, commonly abbreviated as NBAD, was established in 1968 and developed into one of the UAE’s principal banks. Its activities expanded beyond domestic retail and commercial banking into private banking, investment banking, Islamic finance and international corporate banking. Overseas records show that NBAD maintained international branches and corporate registrations, including a United Kingdom registration dating from 1977 under the National Bank of Abu Dhabi name. First Gulf Bank was the other predecessor. It built a substantial UAE franchise in consumer, commercial and corporate banking and became an important participant in the country’s financial system. The two banks announced and completed a merger in 2017. The combination created First Abu Dhabi Bank, bringing together NBAD’s long-established Abu Dhabi identity and international wholesale relationships with First Gulf Bank’s broader banking platform. The merged institution was presented as the largest bank in the UAE by scale at formation. Following the merger, the group operated as a diversified financial-services company rather than a narrowly focused deposit bank. Its business architecture included investment banking and markets, corporate and commercial banking, consumer banking, private banking and wealth management, as well as head-office and support functions. The product range spans ordinary accounts and deposits, cards, personal lending, mortgages and insurance, while the institutional side includes corporate finance, trade finance, transaction banking, liquidity management, securities, brokerage and capital-markets services. Islamic banking is offered alongside conventional banking. FAB has continued to maintain an international presence. Its business descriptions identify operations across the UAE, Europe, Arab countries, the Americas and Asia. International offices are generally oriented toward corporate, institutional, wholesale, investment-banking or wealth-management clients rather than replicating the full UAE retail model. In Singapore, the bank is identified as a Monetary Authority of Singapore-licensed wholesale bank with permissions covering several capital-markets and corporate-finance activities. In Abu Dhabi Global Market, an FSRA register records a foreign-company branch as active from a 2022 registration date, with permissions that include deposits, credit and custody and a restriction against dealing with retail clients. The post-merger institution adopted the FAB brand while legacy legal and registry references continued to show the former NBAD name. A United Kingdom Companies House record, for example, lists National Bank of Abu Dhabi as the previous name until January 2018. This coexistence of legacy records and the FAB identity reflects the gradual integration of a large banking group rather than a wholly new financial institution created without predecessor operations. FAB is publicly listed on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange under ticker FAB. Its current identity is that of a major UAE universal bank with a strong Abu Dhabi base and international reach. The group’s strategic proposition rests on serving individuals, businesses, governments, institutions and affluent clients through a mixture of domestic banking, wholesale finance, investment banking, markets, Islamic finance and wealth-management capabilities. First Abu Dhabi Bank was formed from the merger of First Gulf Bank and National Bank of Abu Dhabi. National Bank of Abu Dhabi, commonly abbreviated as NBAD, was established in 1968 and developed into one of the UAE's principal banks. Its activities expanded beyond domestic retail and commercial banking into private banking, investment banking, Islamic finance and international corporate banking. Overseas records show that NBAD maintained international branches and corporate registrations, including a United Kingdom registration dating from 1977 under the National Bank of Abu Dhabi name. First Gulf Bank was the other predecessor; it built a substantial UAE franchise in consumer, commercial and corporate banking and became an important participant in the country's financial system.

2025
Dirham-backed stablecoin initiative announced
[10]Merger proposal announceden.wikipedia.org
FAB, ADQ, and IHC announced plans relating to a stablecoin backed by the UAE dirham.
2022
FAB ADGM financial-services registration
[6]First Abu Dhabi Bank ADGM registeradgm.com
The ADGM register records a financial-services permission date of 28 March 2022 for FAB's branch of a foreign company.
2021
Hana Al Rostamani becomes group CEO
[10]Merger proposal announceden.wikipedia.org
Hana Al Rostamani was appointed group chief executive officer, having previously served as deputy chief executive officer.
2019
Saudi Arabian operations begin
[10]Merger proposal announceden.wikipedia.org
FAB started operations in Saudi Arabia as part of its international expansion.
2018
FAB name replaces the former NBAD name in UK record
[5]First Abu Dhabi Bank UK company recordfind-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk
The Companies House record shows National Bank of Abu Dhabi as the previous name through 3 January 2018.
2017
First Abu Dhabi Bank launches
[10]Merger proposal announceden.wikipedia.org
The merger was completed and the combined bank began operating under the FAB name in April. The merger formed First Abu Dhabi Bank and created one of the UAE’s largest banking institutions.
2016
Merger proposal announced
[10]Merger proposal announceden.wikipedia.org
First Gulf Bank and National Bank of Abu Dhabi announced that their boards had recommended a merger.
2016
Shareholder approval
[10]Merger proposal announceden.wikipedia.org
Shareholders of both predecessor banks approved the proposed merger on 7 December.
1977
Former NBAD identity appears in UK registration
[5]First Abu Dhabi Bank UK company recordfind-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk
The UK overseas-company record for the predecessor bank dates from 1977 and identifies National Bank of Abu Dhabi as the former name.
1968
National Bank of Abu Dhabi established
[4]First Abu Dhabi Bank profile, TheBanks.euthebanks.eu
National Bank of Abu Dhabi, one of FAB's predecessor institutions, was established and later became a major UAE bank.

Products and positioning

A large, diversified UAE banking group combining domestic retail and corporate banking scale with cross-border investment banking, transaction banking, wealth-management, and treasury capabilities. A full-service UAE banking group combining consumer, corporate, wholesale, investment, Islamic and wealth-management services, with an international network focused especially on institutional and corporate clients.

Retail banking
Retail and consumer banking
FAB's retail business serves individual customers through deposit accounts, payment cards, personal loans, mortgages, vehicle finance, insurance, digital banking, and related everyday financial services. The offering also includes Islamic-banking alternatives and services for customers moving to or starting employment in the UAE. It forms part of the bank's domestic franchise and complements its larger corporate and institutional businesses.
Commercial banking
Corporate and commercial banking
The corporate and commercial banking franchise provides financing and transaction services to companies, small and medium-sized enterprises, government-related entities, and other institutional customers. Its activities include lending, trade finance, cash management, working-capital support, and cross-border banking. Trade products include letters of credit, guarantees, collections and supply-chain finance. The corporate and commercial franchise serves businesses and institutions with lending, deposits, transaction banking, cash and liquidity management, trade finance, corporate finance and risk-management solutions. Trade products include letters of credit, guarantees, collections and supply-chain finance.
Investment banking
Investment banking and markets
FAB offers investment-banking and capital-markets services to corporate, government, and institutional clients. The broader platform includes advisory, financing, treasury, and markets capabilities connected with the UAE and international economies. Its investment-banking and markets activities cover advisory and capital-markets services, securities and brokerage, financing and trading-related products. The group also provides risk-management solutions linked to foreign exchange, interest rates, credit and money markets. FAB’s investment-banking and markets activities cover advisory and capital-markets services, securities and brokerage, financing and trading-related products. The group also provides risk-management solutions linked to foreign exchange, interest rates, credit and money markets.
Wealth management
Wealth and asset management
The group provides wealth-management and investment solutions for affluent individuals, institutions, and other investors. Its later relationships with Amundi and T. Rowe Price were described as efforts to broaden investment offerings across the GCC. The group provides wealth-management and investment solutions for affluent individuals, institutions, and other investors. Private and wealth-management services are aimed at affluent and high-net-worth customers and include investment solutions, advisory services, brokerage and securities capabilities, and other services designed for clients requiring more sophisticated portfolio, financing and wealth-planning support. Its later relationships with Amundi and T. Rowe Price were described as efforts to broaden investment offerings across the GCC.
International banking
FABMISR
FABMISR is the bank's Egyptian operation and part of its international network. It extends FAB's regional presence beyond the UAE and supports banking activity in one of the Middle East and Africa region's major markets.
Consumer banking
Personal banking
FAB’s UAE personal-banking range includes current and savings accounts, deposits, credit and prepaid cards, personal borrowing, vehicle finance, mortgages, insurance and investment products. The offering also includes Islamic-banking alternatives and services for customers moving to or starting employment in the UAE.
Wealth management
Private banking and wealth management
Private and wealth-management services are aimed at affluent and high-net-worth customers. They include investment solutions, advisory services, brokerage and securities capabilities, and other services designed for clients requiring more sophisticated portfolio, financing and wealth-planning support.
Islamic finance
Islamic banking
Islamic banking is offered as part of FAB's consumer, corporate and investment-banking portfolio. The segment provides Sharia-compliant structures and financing alongside the bank's conventional products, allowing customers and institutions to select services according to their financing and investment requirements.

Controversies

2019
Qatar lawsuit concerning alleged currency-devaluation plans
Qatar filed a New York lawsuit against First Abu Dhabi Bank and another bank, alleging that they were involved in plans connected with devaluing the Qatari riyal during the 2017 Gulf crisis. The available reference does not establish the final outcome of the proceedings against FAB.
Source

2026
Partner with T. Rowe Price on GCC investment solutionsStrategy
Background
FAB intended to strengthen its investment offering across the GCC using an international asset-management partner.
Action taken
FAB announced a strategic partnership under which T. Rowe Price would provide solutions covering equity, fixed income, alternatives, and multi-asset strategies.
Source
2025
Develop a dirham-backed stablecoinProduct launch
Background
The initiative was announced amid increasing institutional interest in regulated digital-payment and settlement instruments in the UAE.
Action taken
FAB, ADQ, and IHC announced plans to launch a stablecoin backed by the UAE dirham.
Aftermath
The reference material does not state whether the stablecoin had launched or received final regulatory approval.
Source
2025
Broaden GCC investment-management capabilities with AmundiStrategy
Background
FAB sought to expand its investment-management proposition for clients in the Gulf Cooperation Council region.
Action taken
The bank signed a memorandum of understanding with European asset manager Amundi.
Aftermath
The reference describes the arrangement as a planned enhancement of FAB's investment-management offering; it does not specify completed products or financial results.
Source
2021
Leadership transition to Hana Al RostamaniStrategy
Background
Hana Al Rostamani had served as deputy chief executive officer before the transition.
Action taken
She became Group Chief Executive Officer in January 2021.
Aftermath
The change established a new executive leadership phase for the post-merger banking group.
Source
2019
Expand into Saudi ArabiaStrategy
Background
FAB pursued broader regional and international coverage after its formation.
Action taken
The bank began operations in Saudi Arabia.
Aftermath
Saudi Arabia became part of FAB's international operating footprint.
Source
2017
Merger creating First Abu Dhabi BankM&A
Background
First Gulf Bank and National Bank of Abu Dhabi combined their operations to create a larger UAE banking group.
Action taken
The institutions merged and adopted the First Abu Dhabi Bank identity.
Aftermath
The transaction produced one of the UAE’s largest banks and broadened the combined group’s domestic and international capabilities.
Source
2016
Recommend the merger of First Gulf Bank and National Bank of Abu DhabiM&A
Background
The boards of the two UAE banks sought to combine their franchises and establish a larger domestic and international financial institution.
Action taken
Both boards unanimously recommended the transaction, which was later approved by shareholders and implemented through a share exchange.
Aftermath
The combination created First Abu Dhabi Bank, the largest bank in the UAE, in April 2017.
Source

Recent events

2026.11.04
Reported2026.11.04
Pure DC announces $780 million financing facility[11]Pure DC宣布7.8亿美元融资安排finanznachrichten.de
Pure Data Centres Group (Pure DC) announced a $780 million Platform Growth Facility with a $1.1 billion accordion, creating a framework to expand financing to approximately $1.9 billion. The facility is intended to support its development pipeline and acquisition of future sites across Europe and the Middle East.
2022.01.19
Reported2022.01.19
Masdar green REIT secures $200 million financing[12]Masdar 绿色房地产投资信托基金获得 2 亿美元融资arabnews.com
Masdar said its green Real Estate Investment Trust secured $200 million in financing from a deal signed with First Abu Dhabi Bank, which will be the mandated lead arranger.
2022.01.19
Reported2022.01.19
First Abu Dhabi Bank partners with Thomas Murray[13]阿布扎比第一银行与 Thomas Murray 建立合作globalcustodian.com
First Abu Dhabi Bank partnered with Thomas Murray on market information, with FAB providing surveillance support to Thomas Murray’s Securities Market Information database.
2021.11.15
First Abu Dhabi Bank and Ascenda partner on premium card portfolio[14]阿布扎比第一银行与Ascenda合作推出高端信用卡组合abudhabicityguide.com
First Abu Dhabi Bank partnered with Ascenda to launch a portfolio of premium Visa Signature and Infinite cards featuring a loyalty programme powered by Ascenda.
Unconfirmed
Reported2021.01.27
First Abu Dhabi Bank appoints Hana Al Rostamani as Group CEO[15]阿布达比第一银行任命 Hana Al Rostamani 为集团首席执行官gulfnews.com
First Abu Dhabi Bank appointed Hana Al Rostamani as group chief executive officer, succeeding André Sayegh.
2021.01.21
Reported2021.01.21
First Abu Dhabi Bank and Bank Audi Lebanon agree to acquire Bank Audi Egypt[16]阿布扎比第一银行与黎巴嫩奥迪银行同意收购埃及奥迪银行arabnews.com
First Abu Dhabi Bank and Bank Audi Lebanon announced a final agreement to acquire 100 percent of Bank Audi Egypt's capital. Completion was expected within the next few months, subject to conditions and regulatory approvals.
2021.01.20
Reported2021.01.20
Abu Dhabi launches supplier finance initiative with FAB and Daman[17]阿布扎比与FAB及Daman推出供应商融资计划gtreview.com
The Abu Dhabi government announced a US$1.6 billion supply chain finance facility, with its first phase launched in partnership with First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) and Daman. The initiative initially serves SMEs in the healthcare sector.
2020.05.14
Reported2020.05.15
Techcombank receives $500 million syndicated loan[18]Techcombank收到5亿美元银团贷款news.tuoitre.vn
Techcombank received full disbursement of its inaugural $500 million syndicated offshore loan facility. The proceeds are for general corporate and working capital purposes.
2020.04.23
Reported2020.04.23
First Abu Dhabi Bank nominates successor for group chief risk officer[19]阿布扎比第一银行提名集团首席风险官继任者complianceweek.com
First Abu Dhabi Bank nominated Pradeep Rana to succeed Arif Shaikh as group chief risk officer. Shaikh was to continue leading the function for the next few months while working with Rana on the transition.
2020.04.21
Reported2020.04.21
Aldar partners with banks to offer home finance[20]阿尔达与银行合作提供住房融资thenationalnews.com
Aldar Properties partnered with Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank and First Abu Dhabi Bank to offer home finance at a fixed rate of 1.99% for three or five years at some of its developments. The offer was valid for 30 days.

Sources23 sources

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