ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)

Arab Bank Switzerland has commenced operations in Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), expanding its presence in the UAE with a focus on digital asset advisory services for financial institutions, corporates, fintech companies, family offices and high-net-worth individuals.

Arab Bank Switzerland ME Ltd, the regional entity of the Swiss private bank, began operations after receiving Financial Services Permission from ADGM's Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA), the bank announced.

The new entity will advise clients on accessing, holding, managing and transferring digital asset holdings within ADGM's regulatory framework.

The bank has appointed Valérie Noël as Chief Executive Officer of its Abu Dhabi operations. Noël brings more than 30 years of international experience in financial markets, wealth management, asset management, trading and digital assets.

She previously held senior positions at HSBC Private Bank and Syz Group, where she served as Head of Trading, overseeing multi-asset trading activities and the digitalisation of the bank's trading infrastructure.

Rani Jabban, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Arab Bank Switzerland, said: “Launching our operations in Abu Dhabi is a major step forward in our growth strategy as we continue to expand our presence in the UAE. The Capital has established itself as a leading centre for fintech and digital-asset innovation, and we are committed to playing an active role in its development.”

He said Noël's extensive industry experience positioned her to lead the new entity and build long-term relationships with clients across the region.

Noël said: “Our ambition is to establish Arab Bank Switzerland as a trusted long-term partner for clients navigating the evolving digital asset landscape. Investments in this space are becoming an increasingly important part of how institutions and investors allocate capital, and they require the same discipline, transparency and rigorous standards as traditional asset classes.”

“By combining Arab Bank Switzerland’s established expertise with Abu Dhabi’s dynamic financial ecosystem and strong regulatory framework, we aim to build lasting relationships with clients and help them navigate new opportunities in the market,” she added.

Arvind Ramamurthy, Chief Market Development Officer at ADGM, said the bank's decision to establish digital asset advisory capabilities in Abu Dhabi reflected the continued interest of global financial institutions in expanding their operations in the emirate.

“Bringing together international expertise, a progressive regulatory framework and a connected financial ecosystem, ADGM provides a strong foundation for firms to expand. The bank’s expertise at the intersection of private banking and digital assets adds further depth to this ecosystem,” he said.

Arab Bank Switzerland became the first private bank regulated by Switzerland's Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) to offer cryptocurrency custody and trading services in 2019.

The bank subsequently expanded its digital asset services to include staking, lending and legacy planning. Its Digital Explorer platform provides clients with a consolidated view of their digital asset holdings and the market.

In 2022, the bank introduced custody services for non-fungible tokens (NFTs), began developing a digital art collection and established the Arab Bank Switzerland Digital Art Prize.

The Abu Dhabi launch follows the opening of ABS (Middle East) Ltd in Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) in June 2026, headed by Chief Executive Officer Samir Atitallah. The Dubai entity focuses on wealth management services for entrepreneurs, family offices and high-net-worth individuals.

With digital asset advisory services based in Abu Dhabi and traditional wealth management operations in Dubai, Arab Bank Switzerland will serve clients through two UAE entities.

The expansion comes as the group's assets under management have grown to nearly $25 billion. The bank also acquired Swiss private bank Gonet, founded in 1845, in 2022.

Founded in Geneva in 1962, Arab Bank Switzerland provides private banking and financial services covering wealth management, real estate, trade finance, treasury activities and digital assets. It is an independent sister company of Arab Bank Plc.