Officially: First Abu Dhabi Bank Becomes the Largest Arab Bank, Overtaking QNB

First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) Group has recorded a notable improvement in its financial position over recent years, culminating in its first-ever rise to the top of the Arab banking sector, surpassing Qatar National Bank (QNB) Group, which had held the leading position for many years.

The First Bank Rankings Center had previously published a report on 4 January highlighting the narrowing gap between FAB and QNB under the headline: “The Gap Between the Two Groups Reaches Its Lowest Level… First Abu Dhabi Bank Just Steps Away from Leading the Arab Banking Sector.” The full report is available via the attached link.

According to the consolidated financial statements of both groups, FAB’s total assets increased by 15.7% over the past year, reaching USD 382.23 bn by the end of 2025, compared with USD 330.35 bn at the end of 2024, representing an absolute increase of USD 51.88 bn.

In contrast, QNB’s asset portfolio grew by 6.9% year-on-year, totaling USD 380.67 bn by the end of 2025, compared with USD 356.13 bn at the end of 2024, an overall increase of USD 24.54 bn.

FAB’s results reflect a clear ability to achieve balanced and sustainable growth, supported by a strong capital base, improved operating efficiency, and diversified income streams. Its performance over the past year underscores the success of its regional and international expansion strategy, as well as the strengthening of its core business activities—factors that have reinforced its financial resilience and enhanced its capacity to grow at a pace exceeding the average of the Arab banking sector.

Beyond assets, FAB reported net profit of USD 5.77 bn in 2025, compared with USD 4.66 bn in 2024, marking a 23.9% growth rate and an absolute increase of USD 1.11 bn.

Profit before tax rose to USD 6.86 bn in 2025, up from USD 5.42 bn in 2024, representing growth of approximately 26.5%, or USD 1.44 bn in absolute terms.

Net income from Islamic financing and investment products increased to USD 671 mn in 2025, compared with USD 582 mn in 2024, reflecting 15.2% growth.

Net fee and commission income surged by 28.2% year-on-year to USD 1.31 bn in 2025, versus USD 1.02 bn in 2024, an increase of USD 288 mn.

Net interest income rose modestly by 2.2% to USD 4.86 bn in 2025, compared with USD 4.76 bn in 2024, an absolute gain of USD 105 mn.

Customer deposits expanded by 7.5% over the year, reaching USD 228.92 bn by the end of 2025, compared with USD 213.03 bn at the end of 2024, an increase of USD 15.89 bn.

Net loans and advances climbed to USD 167.81 bn by the end of 2025, up from USD 144.01 bn at the end of 2024, reflecting 16.5% growth and an absolute increase of USD 23.80 bn.

Despite FAB’s clear outperformance, the narrow gap in total assets with QNB—amounting to only around USD 1.56 bn at the end of 2025—indicates that the race for leadership remains open, ushering the Arab banking sector into a new phase of intensified competition.