Today's Edition
ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)
First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) reported a record net profit of Dh21.11 billion in 2025, representing 24% year-on-year growth, while profit before tax rose 27% to Dh25.20 billion, according to the bank’s full-year earnings announcement.
The UAE’s largest lender said operating income increased 16% year-on-year to Dh36.68 billion, supported by sustained business momentum and growing contributions from non-interest income. Return on Tangible Equity (RoTE) reached 19.2%, remaining firmly above the Group’s medium-term guidance.
FAB’s balance sheet expanded further during the year, with total assets rising 16% year-on-year to Dh1.40 trillion. Loans and advances grew 17% to Dh616 billion, while customer deposits increased 7% to Dh841 billion.
His Highness Sheikh Tahnoon Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of FAB, said, “FAB’s results in 2025 reflect multiple years of consistent progress in building scale, resilience and long-term value, while firmly establishing the Group as a leading franchise. Through disciplined execution, over the years, FAB has expanded its franchise, strengthened profitability, and further reinforced its role as the UAE’s global bank. This progress underscores the Group’s continued support of the country’s economic ambitions through sustained delivery and the ongoing investment in technology and innovation, including artificial intelligence."
“Anchored by the strength of the UAE economy, FAB has continued to expand its presence across key international markets, facilitating capital, trade, and investment flows that connect the UAE with global growth corridors and strengthen the country’s position as a leading international, financial, and economic hub.
“Looking ahead, FAB will continue to support the UAE’s economic ambitions as a trusted financial institution, leveraging its scale and resilience to enable sustainable growth and long-term value creation.”
Hana Al Rostamani, Group Chief Executive Officer of FAB, said: "As the UAE’s global bank, FAB continued to strengthen its leadership position locally in 2025, supporting key sectors of the economy and deepening client relationships. We leveraged this domestic strength to expand our international franchise, enabling cross-border capital, trade and investment flows across more than 20 markets.
“Our diversified franchise recorded broad-based growth, supported by strong client engagement and effective balance sheet deployment. 2025 also marked a transformative acceleration in our AI journey, with scaled deployment of agentic AI delivering measurable improvements in productivity, decision intelligence and client experience."
“We enter 2026 with strong momentum and a focused strategic roadmap, and will continue to deliver sustainable value for shareholders while supporting the UAE’s growth and diversification.”
Lars Kramer, Group Chief Financial Officer of FAB, added: "FAB’s performance in 2025 reflects the strength and sustainability of the Group’s earnings model, underpinned by record revenue and net profit, a diversified income base and prudent balance sheet deployment. The composition of earnings continued to improve, with a higher contribution from non-funded income across business lines and geographies."
"Asset quality strengthened further, with the non-performing loans ratio reaching a historic low, supported by conservative underwriting and effective risk management. We also maintained a robust capital and liquidity position, including a successful AT1 issuance in the fourth quarter."
“The Group enters 2026 with a strong financial foundation and a clear focus on sustaining disciplined, high-quality performance.”
FAB said net interest income rose 4% year-on-year to Dh20.32 billion, driven by volume growth, while non-interest income increased 36% to Dh16.35 billion, accounting for 45% of total operating income. Fees and commissions grew 28% year-on-year, supported by strong origination and transaction activity, while foreign exchange and investment income rose 40% year-on-year, reflecting record transaction volumes in Global Markets.
Asset quality continued to strengthen, with the bank reporting a gross non-performing loans ratio of 2.2%, the lowest level in FAB’s history. Capital and liquidity buffers remained comfortably above regulatory requirements, with a CET1 ratio of 13.3% and a liquidity coverage ratio of 154% at the end of 2025.
FAB’s international franchise also recorded solid growth, with international assets reaching Dh419 billion, representing around 30% of Group assets, and contributing 19% of total revenue for the year. The bank said its global network continued to support cross-border capital, trade and investment flows across more than 20 markets.
The Board of Directors has recommended a cash dividend of 80 fils per share for the 2025 financial year, subject to shareholder approval, representing a total distribution of Dh8.84 billion and the highest cash dividend in the bank’s history, FAB said.
