First Abu Dhabi Bank’s profit before tax rose 5% to AED20.22 billion in the first nine months of 2026, the UAE’s largest lender said on Thursday, as lending growth and higher net interest income lifted earnings.
Net profit rose 3% to AED16.46 billion. Group operating income increased 7% year on year to AED29.71 billion.
Profit before tax for the third quarter rose 9% to AED7.01 billion, the bank said in a statement.
Return on tangible equity reached 18.6%, above the bank’s medium-term guidance of more than 16%.
Balance sheet
Loans and advances grew 10% since the start of the year to AED679 billion. Customer deposits rose 5% to AED885 billion.
Total assets reached AED1.47 trillion at the end of September, up 7% from the start of the year.
Net interest income rose 11% to AED16.98 billion on higher business volumes and improved margins. Non-interest income increased 3% to AED12.73 billion, or 43% of group operating income.
Operating profit grew 8% to AED23.32 billion.
Asset quality and capital
The non-performing loan ratio fell to 2.1% from 2.6% a year earlier. The common equity tier 1 ratio strengthened to 14.0%, and the liquidity coverage ratio stood at 140% at the end of September.
Lars Kramer, group chief financial officer, said operating profit rose 11% in the third quarter and the net interest margin stood at 1.93%, up 5 basis points from a year earlier, according to Khaleej Times.
International revenue rose 31% and now accounts for 22% of group revenue, the newspaper reported.
“FAB’s performance in the first nine months of 2026 reflects the strength of our franchise and the consistent execution of our strategy,” Hana Al Rostamani, group chief executive officer, said.
She said the bank was expanding its use of artificial intelligence and its capabilities in digital assets and tokenization, and had completed a live tokenized deposit initiative.
FAB holds AA- or equivalent credit ratings with stable outlooks from Moody’s, Fitch and S&P.
