Abu Dhabi [UAE], March 13: First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) today virtually. All agenda ýitems were reviewed and approved, including the distribution of AED8.84 billion in cash ýdividends for the financial year ended 31st December 2025, representing 80 fils per share and ýthe highest cash dividend in the Group's history.
Shareholders registered on March 23rd, 2026 ýý(i.e., those purchasing shares on or before March 19th, 2026) will be eligible for the cash ýdividend. ý
Underscoring the strength of its strategy and disciplined execution, FAB closed 2025 as the ýlargest bank in the Middle East and Africa, with total assets of AED1.40 trillion, reinforcing its ýposition as the UAE's global bank and a leading regional financial powerhouse.ý
The dividend approval follows a year of record financial performance. FAB delivered a 24% ýyear-on-year increase in net profit to AED21.11 billion in FY'25, marking the culmination of a ýmulti‑year growth trajectory that has seen the Group double net profit since 2020, driven by ýdisciplined growth, balance‑sheet strength and consistent execution across cycles.
Double-digit growth in net profit was driven by strong transaction volumes across multiple ýproducts and asset classes, deeper client engagement, expanded cross-sell activity, and ýenhancement of the Group's investment offerings.ý
Throughout 2025, FAB reinforced its leadership position in the UAE while continuing to expand ýits international franchise across more than 20 markets. Growth in cross-border lending and ýdeposit flows was supported by key corridors in Europe, Asia, and the broader MENA region. ýExpansion milestones included operations going live in Türkiye and GIFT City, India, landmark ýtransactions in Nigeria, and further progress on French subsidiarisation.ý
The year also marked a significant acceleration in FAB's artificial intelligence journey. ýEnterprise-wide AI adoption was embedded throughout the franchise, with Microsoft Copilot ýrolled out to all employees, supported by a growing library of over 1,000 AI agents. Multiple use ýcases are being advanced spanning trade, payments, compliance, finance, and customer ýoperations, delivering measurable improvements in productivity, efficiency, and client ýexperience. FAB's AI Innovation Hub and Responsible AI governance framework continue to ýinstitutionalise AI deployment and further the Group's efforts in being at the forefront of ýintelligence-driven banking.ý
H.H. Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of FAB, said, "In 2025, FAB ýdelivered a strong and resilient performance, reflecting sustained progress in building scale, ýdiversification, and long-term value. The Group achieved record profitability, supported by robust ýoperating income growth, improved asset quality, and disciplined cost management. A ýdiversified revenue mix and a sector-leading cost-to-income ratio reinforced the resilience of ýour business model across economic cycles.ý
"Strong capital and liquidity positions remained a hallmark of the Group, with capital ratios ýcomfortably above regulatory requirements. This strength enabled FAB to continue supporting ýclients and priority sectors while preserving balance sheet flexibility and risk discipline."ý
He added, "Throughout the year, FAB played a central role in financing the real economy. The Bank ýsupported major renewable energy and infrastructure projects, advanced strategic and ýinnovation-led industries, and scaled SMEs and national champions, acting as an institutional ýpartner to government entities, sovereign funds, and the private sector.ý
"These activities align closely with the UAE's diversification agenda, reinforcing the country's ýemergence as a global hub for capital, trade, and technology. FAB also continued to expand its ýinternational footprint, connecting the GCC with Asia, Europe, and Africa through a network ýspanning over 20 jurisdictions, and strengthening priority corridors that facilitate trade and ýinvestment flows".ý
Hana Al Rostamani, Group Chief Executive Officer of FAB, said, "In 2025, FAB accelerated ýregional momentum, strengthened corridor activity, expanded its international footprint and ýembedded AI across the bank to maximise cross-border trade and investment opportunities.ý
A year of disciplined execution and measurable progress enabled FAB to deliver record ýprofitability, strengthen its balance sheet, and further diversify its revenue base across ýInvestment Banking & Markets, Wholesale, and Personal, Business, Wealth & Privileged Client ýsegments. "ý
Al Rostamani added, "Group revenue reached AED36.68 billion, with net profit of AED21.11 billion, while Return on ýTangible Equity stood at 19.2%, firmly exceeding our medium-term guidance and reinforcing ýFAB's position among the world's most profitable AA-rated banks. Reflecting this strong ýperformance, shareholders approved a cash dividend of 80 fils per share for the financial year ýý2025, representing a total distribution of AED 8.84 billion, the highest cash dividend in the ýBank's history.ý
"As the trusted financial partner of choice for clients in the UAE and across our international ýmarkets, FAB plays a central role in advancing the nation's long-term economic agenda. In ýý2026 and beyond, we will continue to invest in our people, platforms and products, leveraging ýdata, AI and innovation to elevate client experiences and support inclusive, sustainable ýgrowth."
At the meeting, all agenda items were approved, including the Board of Directors' report, the ýexternal auditors' report and the Internal Shari'ah Supervision Committee's annual report for ýFY2025. The AGM agenda also included notification of the payable Zakat for 2025, approval of ýthe Bank's balance sheet and profit and loss statement for 2025, the re-election of members ýof the Board of Directors for a three-year term, and the appointment of auditors for the financial ýyear 2026. ý
Source: Emirates News Agency
