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# First Abu Dhabi Bank delivers 7% rise in H1 2026 operating income to AED 19.5 billion
- URL: https://www.theglobalbanker.com/fab-h1-2026-operating-income-aed-19-5-billion/
- Published: 2026-07-23T17:05:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-02T00:49:38.000Z
- Description: First Abu Dhabi Bank posted H1 2026 operating income up 7% to AED 19.5 billion and profit before tax of AED 13.2 billion, with Q2 PBT up 16% quarter on quarter.
- Author: TGB Editorial Team
- Tags: Banking News, MENA

First Abu Dhabi Bank, the largest lender in the United Arab Emirates by assets, reported operating income of AED 19.5 billion for the first half of 2026, an increase of 7% on the same period a year earlier, according to a statement published on the bank's website alongside its second-quarter results.

The group posted a first-half profit before tax of AED 13.20 billion, with second-quarter profit before tax of AED 7.08 billion rising 16% quarter on quarter and 6% year on year. Net profit for the first six months came in at AED 10.73 billion, up 1% year on year, with the second quarter contributing AED 5.72 billion, up 14% quarter on quarter and 4% year on year.

#### NET INTEREST INCOME UP 14 PERCENT

Net interest income rose 14% year on year to AED 11.48 billion, supported by higher business volumes and improved margins, while non-interest income was AED 8.02 billion, or 41% of operating income. Net loans and advances grew 7% year to date to AED 661 billion, while customer deposits rose 1% year to date to AED 853 billion.

The second-quarter improvement in profitability was more pronounced than the first-half comparison suggests, with pre-tax profit up 16% versus the first three months of the year. International revenue grew 35% year on year to account for 22% of group revenue.

First-half profit before tax rose 3% year on year, and return on tangible equity was 18.5%, compared with 20.5% in the first half of 2025 and above the group's medium-term guidance.

#### GROUP DELIVERS STRONG H1 2026 RESULTS

In its statement, FAB described the results as a strong first half for the group, citing operating income growth of 7%, double-digit net interest income growth and the sequential improvement in second-quarter profit before tax. Group Chief Executive Hana Al Rostamani said the first-half performance "demonstrates the scale and diversification of our franchise, and our ability to deliver strong returns".

FAB was formed through the 2017 merger of National Bank of Abu Dhabi and First Gulf Bank and counts Abu Dhabi sovereign investor Mubadala, which holds about 38%, as its largest shareholder. The lender is regulated by the Central Bank of the UAE, is listed on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange and is among the largest constituents of the FTSE ADX 15 benchmark.

During the half FAB issued USD 750 million of Tier 2 notes, which Group CFO Lars Kramer said priced at the tightest spread ever achieved by a GCC bank for this type of instrument, and Moody's, Fitch and S&P reaffirmed its AA- (or equivalent) ratings with stable outlooks.

The non-performing loan ratio improved to 2.2%, the CET1 ratio rose to 13.7% and the liquidity coverage ratio stood at 140% at the end of June. The bank's international network covers more than 20 markets, including Egypt, the United Kingdom, France, Switzerland, Singapore and Hong Kong.