First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB): The Largest Bank in the UAE

First Abu Dhabi Bank, also known as FAB, is the biggest and most trusted bank in the United Arab Emirates. If you live in the UAE, or if you are planning to open a bank account there, you have probably heard the name FAB many times. This article explains everything about FAB in simple and easy words, so anyone can understand it.

What is First Abu Dhabi Bank?

First Abu Dhabi Bank is a large financial company based in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE. It was formed following a merger between First Gulf Bank (FGB) and National Bank of Abu Dhabi (NBAD). This merger happened in April 2017, and it created one of the strongest banks in the whole Middle East region.

The Arabic name of the bank is "Bank Abu Dhabi Al Awwal," which simply means "First Abu Dhabi Bank." This name shows that the bank is proud to represent Abu Dhabi as its flagship national bank.

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How Did FAB Start?

The story of FAB is a story of two old and respected banks joining forces. On 3 July 2016, the two UAE banks announced that their boards of directors had voted unanimously on the recommendation to shareholders for the merger of the two entities. A few months later, in December 2016, shareholders of both banks agreed to the deal. By April 2017, the merger was complete, and First Abu Dhabi Bank was officially born.

Interestingly, one of the two original banks has a long history. FAB was the first Gulf-based bank to operate in the United Kingdom in 1977, back when it was National Bank of Abu Dhabi. This shows that FAB's roots go back many decades, long before the merger.

Who Owns FAB?

Many people ask if FAB is a government bank. The answer is a little more detailed. FAB is a publicly listed company, which means its shares are traded on the stock exchange. However, it has very strong links to the Abu Dhabi government. The Mubadala Investment Company is FAB's largest shareholder, owning over a third of the bank. Mubadala is one of the sovereign wealth funds of Abu Dhabi, which means it manages money on behalf of the government.

Because of this ownership structure, FAB is seen as a very safe and stable bank. People trust it because it has strong government support behind it, even though it is not fully owned by the state.

Where Does FAB Operate?

FAB is headquartered in Abu Dhabi, in an area called Khalifa Business Park. But the bank is not limited to the UAE. It has a huge international network. According to available information, the bank has a presence in five continents: Asia Pacific (APAC), Europe, Americas, Middle East and Africa (EAMEA).

FAB began growing outside the UAE many years ago. In 2019, it started operations in Saudi Arabia, which was an important step for its regional expansion. Later, in 2022, FAB combined its Egyptian business with Bank Audi Egypt to create a new banking brand in Egypt called FABMISR. The bank also has offices in places like the United Kingdom, the United States, India, and several other Asian and Middle Eastern countries.

In 2025, FAB even opened a new branch location in London, at 20 Berkeley Square in Mayfair, showing that the bank continues to expand its footprint in major global financial cities.

FAB's Financial Strength in 2026

FAB is not just big in terms of branches and countries. It is also financially very powerful. According to recent reports from early 2026, First Abu Dhabi Bank's total assets reached AED 1.49 trillion (USD 406 billion) as of March 31, 2026, marking 14% year-over-year growth. This was actually the first time the bank crossed the impressive USD 400 billion mark in total assets.

This growth was supported by strong lending activity. Loan growth reached 22% year-over-year to AED 668 billion, while customer deposits increased by 4% to AED 871 billion. These numbers show that both individuals and businesses continue to trust FAB with their money, and the bank continues to lend actively to support the economy.

FAB also keeps a close eye on risk management. The bank achieved an all-time low non-performing loan ratio of 2.1% as of March 2026, down from 3.3% a year earlier, while provision coverage strengthened to 110% from 98%. In simple words, this means fewer customers are failing to repay their loans, and the bank has built up strong reserves just in case of future problems. This is one reason why FAB is often described as a very safe place to keep your money.

FAB and Technology

Like most modern banks, FAB has invested heavily in digital banking and artificial intelligence. The bank offers a mobile app, online banking, cash deposit machines (CDMs), and other digital tools so that customers can manage their money without visiting a branch. Recent reports also show that FAB's AI adoption journey accelerated with scaled Agentic AI deployment delivering up to 20% efficiency and productivity gains across various processes. This means artificial intelligence is helping FAB work faster and serve customers better.

FAB and Sustainable Finance

FAB has also taken steps toward supporting green and sustainable projects. As of early 2026, FAB achieved AED 389 billion in sustainable and transition financing, reaching 78% of its 2030 target. The bank has also received recognition for its efforts, including being named the best UAE bank in the Forbes World's Best Banks 2026 ranking.

Products and Services Offered by FAB

FAB offers many products for different types of customers:

• Personal banking: current accounts, savings accounts, salary accounts, personal loans, credit cards, and debit cards.
• Business banking: accounts and financing for small and medium businesses (SMEs), as well as larger corporate clients.
• Investment and wealth management: services for high-net-worth individuals who want to grow their money.
• Islamic banking: products that follow Islamic finance rules, offered through First Abu Dhabi Islamic Finance.
• Trade finance and foreign exchange: important services for businesses that trade internationally.

Because of this wide range of services, FAB is suitable for almost everyone, from a new employee opening their first salary account to a large company looking for major financing.

Why Do People Trust FAB?

There are several reasons why people across the UAE and the wider region trust FAB:

1. It is the largest bank in the UAE by total assets.
2. It has strong government-linked ownership through Mubadala.
3. It has a long history, with roots going back to 1977.
4. It has a wide international network across five continents.
5. It continues to show strong financial results and low-risk lending.
6. It invests in modern technology like AI to improve customer service.

How to Do FAB Balance Check Online

One of the most common things people search for is "fab balance check online." Luckily, FAB makes this very easy. You do not need to visit a branch just to check how much money you have in your account. Here are the simple ways to do a FAB balance check online:

• FAB Mobile App: Download the FAB mobile banking app, log in with your details, and your balance will show on the home screen instantly.
• FAB Online Banking: Visit the official FAB website and log in to your online banking portal to view your balance and full transaction history.
• SMS Banking: If you have registered for SMS banking, you can send a simple text message to get your balance instantly.
• ATM or CDM: You can also check your balance at any FAB ATM or cash deposit machine (CDM) near you.
• Missed Call or WhatsApp Banking: Many UAE banks, including FAB, allow balance checks through a registered missed call or WhatsApp banking service.

Doing a FAB balance check online is fast, free, and available 24/7, which makes it very convenient for salaried employees, business owners, and expats who are always on the move.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What does FAB stand for? FAB stands for First Abu Dhabi Bank, the largest bank in the UAE by total assets.

2. Is FAB a government bank? Not fully. FAB is a publicly listed company, but it has strong government-linked ownership, since Mubadala Investment Company, an Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund, is its largest shareholder.

3. How can I do a FAB balance check online? You can check your balance online through the FAB mobile app, FAB online banking portal, SMS banking, or by visiting any FAB ATM or CDM. This is the easiest way to do a fab balance check online without visiting a branch.

4. Is FAB safe for keeping my money? Yes. FAB is considered one of the safest banks in the Middle East because of its strong capital reserves, low non-performing loan ratio, and close ties to Abu Dhabi's government-linked institutions.

5. Can expats open an account with FAB? Yes, FAB is very popular among expats and salaried employees in the UAE because of its easy account opening process and modern digital banking tools.

6. What is the minimum salary required for a FAB salary account? This depends on the account type, but many basic salary transfer accounts start from around AED 3,000 to AED 5,000 per month, while some premium accounts may require a higher salary.

7. Does FAB offer Islamic banking? Yes, FAB offers Islamic banking products through First Abu Dhabi Islamic Finance, for customers who prefer Sharia-compliant services.

8. How can I contact FAB customer care? You can contact FAB customer support through their official helpline number or through the FAB mobile app and website for live chat support.

9. In how many countries does FAB operate? FAB operates in around 20 overseas markets, with a presence across Asia Pacific, Europe, the Americas, and the Middle East and Africa region.

10. What makes FAB different from other UAE banks? FAB stands out because of its massive asset size, strong government backing, wide international network, and continuous investment in AI and digital banking technology.

Final Words

First Abu Dhabi Bank, or FAB, is much more than just a bank. It is a symbol of the UAE's growing economy and financial strength. From its beginning as a merger of two respected banks in 2017, FAB has grown into a global financial institution with trillions of dirhams in assets. Whether you are a resident, a business owner, or an investor, understanding FAB helps you understand a big part of how banking works in the UAE today.