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First Abu Dhabi Bank said in a statement that group net profit rose 3 percent year on year to AED16.46 billion in the first nine months of 2026 while operating income advanced 7 percent to AED29.71 billion. Profit before tax increased 5 percent to AED20.22 billion during the period as the bank benefited from higher lending volumes and improved margins across its operations. Return on tangible equity stood at 18.6 percent which remained above the group’s medium-term guidance of more than 16 percent.
The bank maintained strong momentum in the third quarter according to the statement with profit before tax climbing 9 percent year on year to AED7.01 billion supported by healthy business activity and disciplined cost management. Third-quarter net profit reached AED5.74 billion up 6 percent from the same period a year earlier. Operating profit for the nine-month period grew 8 percent to AED23.32 billion reflecting the strength of the diversified earnings model.
Balance sheet growth remained broad-based the statement showed as loans and advances expanded 10 percent year to date to AED679 billion. Customer deposits rose 5 percent to AED885 billion while total assets increased 7 percent since the start of the year to AED1.47 trillion. The expansion came amid sustained demand for financing across wholesale and retail banking franchises.
Net interest income rose 11 percent year on year to AED16.98 billion driven by higher business volumes and improved margins FAB said in the release. Non-interest income increased 3 percent to AED12.73 billion contributing 43 percent of total group operating income. The performance highlights the bank’s ability to generate revenue from multiple streams even as interest income remained the primary driver.
Asset quality stayed solid with the non-performing loan ratio improving to 2.1 percent from 2.6 percent a year earlier according to the bank’s figures. The Common Equity Tier 1 ratio strengthened to 14.0 percent and the liquidity coverage ratio stood at 140 percent both comfortably above regulatory requirements. Net impairment charges rose 33 percent to AED3.10 billion as the lender maintained a prudent approach to risk management amid an evolving environment.
Hana Al Rostamani group chief executive officer of First Abu Dhabi Bank said in the statement “FAB’s performance in the first nine months of 2026 reflects the strength of our franchise and the consistent execution of our strategy. Group operating income rose 7 percent year on year to AED29.71 billion while profit before tax exceeded AED20 billion. Return on tangible equity reached 18.6 percent remaining above our medium-term guidance.”
As the UAE’s largest bank by assets FAB’s results build on a solid first-half performance that saw net profit reach AED10.73 billion the bank reported in July. Gulf News figures show that peer lender ADCB reported a 27 percent jump in nine-month net profit to AED10.3 billion over the same timeframe underscoring broad strength across the UAE banking sector. The announcement comes as sector-wide loan growth has remained robust amid economic diversification efforts.
