Abu Dhabi:First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) has announced a 3 percent increase in its group net profit, reaching AED16.46 billion for the first nine months of 2026, compared to the same period in the previous year.
According to Emirates News Agency, FAB's operating income saw a year-on-year increase of 7 percent, totaling AED29.71 billion, while its profit before tax rose by 5 percent to AED20.22 billion. The bank maintained a strong performance in the third quarter, with a 9 percent year-on-year increase in profit before tax, amounting to AED7.01 billion. This growth was attributed to robust business activity, solid revenue generation, and disciplined cost management.
The bank's balance sheet demonstrated broad-based growth, with loans and advances growing by 10 percent year-to-date to AED679 billion, and customer deposits increasing by 5 percent to AED885 billion. Total assets have risen to AED1.47 trillion, representing a 7 percent rise since the beginning of the year. Net interest income increased by 11 percent year-on-year to AED16.98 billion, driven by higher business volumes and improved margins, while non-interest income rose by 3 percent to AED12.73 billion, contributing 43 percent of the group's operating income.
Operating profit grew by 8 percent year-on-year to AED23.32 billion, highlighting FAB's diversified earnings model and sustained cost discipline. Asset quality remained solid, with the Non-Performing Loan (NPL) ratio declining to 2.1 percent from 2.6 percent a year earlier. The bank's capitalisation and liquidity levels stayed comfortably above regulatory requirements, with the CET1 ratio strengthening to 14.0 percent and the Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR) standing at 140 percent as of the end of September 2026.
Hana Al Rostamani, FAB's Group Chief Executive Officer, emphasized the bank's strong performance, stating that it reflects the strength of FAB's franchise and the consistent execution of its strategy. She noted that the bank's return on tangible equity reached 18.6 percent, remaining above its medium-term guidance. Al Rostamani also highlighted the opportunities presented by the UAE's next phase of growth, driven by investment programs, economic diversification, and deeper integration across global markets. FAB aims to support these ambitions by leveraging its scale and international network.
Lars Kramer, FAB's Group Chief Financial Officer, reported another robust quarter for the bank in Q3, with operating profit up 11 percent year-on-year. He attributed this success to sustained business momentum, robust income generation, and industry-leading efficiency. Kramer highlighted FAB's strong lending growth and the resilience of its margins, supported by a diversified business mix and structural funding advantage. Sustainability remains central to FAB's strategy, with a focus on financial innovation and a commitment to the UN Sustainable Blue Economy Finance Principles.