United Arab Bank charts resilient course with AED333 million profit as asset base expands sharply
The Sharjah-headquartered lender has navigated a challenging operating environment to deliver six per cent year-on-year profit growth in the first nine months of 2026, underpinned by a substantial improvement in asset quality and a marked expansion of customer deposits.
United Arab Bank has reported a net profit of AED333 million for the nine months ended 30 September 2026, reflecting the durability of its business model and the effectiveness of its risk management approach during a period of regional uncertainty and wider economic headwinds.
The bank’s operating income advanced twelve per cent year-on-year, a trajectory sustained by disciplined expense management and a reversal in impairment charges following successful resolution of delinquent loans. Total assets expanded sixteen per cent to reach AED28 billion, with loans, advances and Islamic financing growing twelve per cent to AED16 billion, whilst the investment portfolio strengthened by twenty-three per cent to AED9 billion.
Customer deposits rose twenty-seven per cent year-on-year to AED18 billion, a figure that underscores growing confidence in the institution’s stability and service offerings. The bank’s asset quality metrics have improved notably, with the non-performing loans ratio declining to 0.5 per cent from 2.7 per cent at the end of June, whilst provision coverage fortified to 338 per cent from 101 per cent in that same period.
The institution’s liquidity and capital position remain robust and in full compliance with regulatory requirements, with an advances to stable resources ratio of seventy-two per cent, an eligible liquid asset ratio of fifteen per cent, a total capital adequacy ratio of 20.7 per cent and a CET1 ratio of 16.8 per cent.
Shirish Bhide, Chief Executive Officer of United Arab Bank, attributed the performance to the strength of the bank’s core business segments and the deepening of client relationships. “We continue to enhance the customer experience by further developing our digital capabilities, diversifying our products and solutions, and delivering more integrated banking services,” he stated, noting that these efforts position the bank to respond to evolving client requirements with greater operational efficiency and flexibility.
The bank’s ranking as tenth globally among its peer group in Forbes’ World’s Top Performing Banks 2026 represents international validation of its strategic execution and performance trajectory. As the final quarter of the year unfolds, the institution remains focused on accelerating innovation and digital transformation alongside the strengthening of operational efficiency and governance frameworks.
Source: WAM