First Abu Dhabi Bank Strengthens its Position with AED16.46 Billion Nine-Month Profit

The region's leading financial institution demonstrates resilient momentum through disciplined execution, diversified earnings and sustained expansion across its global operations.

First Abu Dhabi Bank has navigated the opening nine months of 2026 with impressive financial momentum, delivering a net profit of AED16.46 billion, a three percent increase from the corresponding period in 2025. The performance reflects the bank’s ability to generate consistent returns whilst maintaining operational discipline and strategic focus across its diversified portfolio.

Operating income climbed seven percent year-on-year to AED29.71 billion, underpinned by net interest income that rose eleven percent to AED16.98 billion. This growth in core earnings was supported by expanding business volumes and improved margins, whilst non-interest income contributed AED12.73 billion to the overall operating performance. Profit before tax reached AED20.22 billion, representing a five percent increase from the prior year.

The third quarter in particular demonstrated the bank’s sustained trajectory, with profit before tax increasing nine percent year-on-year to AED7.01 billion. Operating profit for the nine-month period grew eight percent to AED23.32 billion, reflecting the bank’s disciplined approach to cost management alongside healthy revenue generation.

Balance-sheet expansion has remained broad-based. Loans and advances increased ten percent year-to-date to AED679 billion, whilst customer deposits rose five percent to AED885 billion. Total assets now stand at AED1.47 trillion, a seven percent increase since the start of the year. The bank’s return on tangible equity reached 18.6 percent, exceeding its medium-term guidance targets.

Asset quality metrics have also strengthened considerably. The Non-Performing Loan ratio declined to 2.1 percent from 2.6 percent in the prior year, a meaningful improvement that underscores the calibre of the bank’s credit portfolio. Capital and liquidity positions remain comfortably above regulatory requirements, with the Common Equity Tier 1 ratio at 14.0 percent and the Liquidity Coverage Ratio standing at 140 percent as at September 2026.

Hana Al Rostamani, Group Chief Executive Officer, emphasised that FAB’s performance reflects the strength of its franchise and consistent execution of strategy. She highlighted the bank’s positioning to capitalise on the UAE’s next phase of growth, leveraging its scale, structuring expertise and international network to finance strategic sectors and connect clients with opportunities globally. The sustainability agenda remains integral to the bank’s strategy, with a AED100 billion blue finance target and recognition as the first bank in the Middle East and North Africa to sign the UN Sustainable Blue Economy Finance Principles.

Lars Kramer, Group Chief Financial Officer, characterised the quarter as another strong performance period, with operating profit rising eleven percent year-on-year. Net interest margin remained resilient at 1.93 percent, up five basis points from the prior year, whilst lending growth of ten percent year-to-date was driven by momentum across wholesale and retail franchises. The recent issuance of AED1 billion of Digitally Native Green Notes further broadened the bank’s funding capabilities and reinforced its commitment to financial innovation.

What it means for Abu Dhabi

FAB’s robust financial performance and balance-sheet expansion reflect the strength of economic activity across the UAE’s key sectors and the continued confidence of businesses and individuals in the banking system. The bank’s diversified earnings model, expanded lending to businesses and households, and improved asset quality metrics all signal healthy underlying economic momentum in the emirate and beyond.

As Abu Dhabi pursues its strategic development agenda, FAB’s scale and capital strength position it to support ambitious investment programmes and economic diversification priorities. The bank’s commitment to sustainability and blue finance, coupled with its global connectivity, aligns with the emirate’s long-term vision and its role as a bridge between regional and international markets. The bank’s performance, alongside ADIB’s recent capital strengthening and the broader sector momentum reflected in UAE banking institutions’ expanded asset bases, underscores the resilience and capacity of the financial sector to drive growth.

Source: WAM

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