First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB): Ownership, CEO, Size & More

When two of Abu Dhabi’s biggest banks merged in 2017, the resulting institution didn’t just become the UAE’s largest—it reshaped the region’s banking landscape. First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) now holds over AED 1 trillion in assets and carries credit ratings that rival the world’s best.

Total Assets: AED 1.1 trillion+ · CEO: Hana Al Rostamani · Major Shareholder: ADIA (~40%) · Credit Rating: Aa3/AA-/AA- · Employees: 5,000+

Here are the key specification details for FAB.

Who owns the First Abu Dhabi Bank?

The majority shareholder is the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA), the sovereign wealth fund of the emirate. According to a 2019 Moody’s credit opinion, the Abu Dhabi government held about 37% of FAB through Mubadala-linked entities. More recent data from an investment research note puts the government’s indirect stake at 37.9% through Mubadala Investment Company, with the Abu Dhabi ruling family holding another 15.3%, bringing total government and quasi-government ownership to 53.2%.

Who are the shareholders of FAB?

• Mubadala Investment Company (state-owned) – 37.9%
• Abu Dhabi ruling family members and their companies – 17.7% (as of June 2026, per Dubaist stock data)
• Other institutional and retail investors – the remainder

No single family controls FAB; rather, it is a state-influenced institution where the Abu Dhabi government exercises significant indirect control.

What family owns the biggest bank in the world?

The world’s largest banks by assets—such as Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) and China Construction Bank—are state-owned. Among privately held giants, families like the Rothschilds historically held influence, but today no single family owns the top global bank. FAB’s ownership structure mirrors the state-linked model common in the Gulf.

How big is the First Abu Dhabi Bank?

FAB is the largest bank in the UAE by total assets, which exceeded AED 1.1 trillion (approximately USD 300 billion) in 2024, according to the FAB Annual Report 2024. By 2025, assets grew to AED 1.4 trillion, a 16% year-on-year increase, as reported by The National. Mid-2026 figures from Gulf News show assets reached AED 1.41 trillion.

FAB ranks among the top 50 banks globally by assets and operates in more than 20 countries, with over 5,000 employees.

What are the top 5 banks in the UAE?

The table below compares the largest UAE banks by total assets and profitability.

Note: Non-FAB figures are approximate based on publicly available annual reports. FAB’s data sourced from its 2024 annual report.

How did Abu Dhabi get so rich?

Abu Dhabi’s wealth stems from vast oil and gas reserves discovered in the 1950s. The emirate’s sovereign wealth fund, the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA), manages over $800 billion in assets, making it one of the world’s largest. ADIA is also FAB’s largest shareholder, linking the bank’s fortunes directly to the emirate’s hydrocarbon wealth. Diversification into tourism, real estate, and finance (including FAB) has further solidified Abu Dhabi’s economic position.

Who is CEO of First Abu Dhabi Bank?

The CEO is Hana Al Rostamani, who assumed the role in 2021, succeeding Andre Sayegh, according to the FAB Annual Report 2024. She is one of the few female CEOs of a major Middle Eastern bank and the first female chief executive of any listed entity in the GCC.

Under her leadership, FAB has continued to expand its international footprint and digital banking capabilities. The FAB Group CEO Statement underscores her focus on innovation and sustainable growth.

Is First Abu Dhabi Bank a good bank?

FAB holds strong credit ratings: Aa3 from Moody’s and AA- from both S&P and Fitch, with stable outlooks, as stated on FAB’s credit ratings page. A U.S. FDIC resolution plan filing describes FAB as a financially strong bank with these ratings.

It offers a full range of personal, corporate, Islamic, and private banking services. Customer satisfaction surveys generally rate FAB positively, though some complaints exist regarding digital services (common across large banks).

Who is richer, Dubai or Abu Dhabi?

Abu Dhabi is significantly wealthier than Dubai due to its much larger oil reserves and the massive assets of ADIA. Abu Dhabi controls over 90% of the UAE’s oil wealth. While Dubai has diversified into tourism, trade, and real estate, Abu Dhabi’s per capita GDP and sovereign wealth are far higher.

Who is the richest company in the UAE?

By market capitalization, the richest publicly listed company in the UAE is often First Abu Dhabi Bank itself, alongside other giants like Emirates NBD and Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC, which is state-owned). FAB’s market cap regularly exceeds $50 billion.

“FAB is committed to driving innovation and regional growth, leveraging our strong capital base and global reach.”

— Hana Al Rostamani, Group CEO, FAB (2021 announcement)

FAB’s rating reflects its strong capitalization, liquidity, and the support of the Abu Dhabi government.

— Moody’s/Fitch rating reports (paraphrased from FAB credit ratings)

What this means: For depositors and investors alike, FAB’s state backing provides a safety net that few other banks in the region can offer.

For investors, FAB offers a rare combination of state backing and market discipline. For customers, it provides stability that few other institutions in the region can match.

Frequently asked questions