FAB Group is just steps away from claiming the top spot in the Arab banking sector

Over the past years, Abu Dhabi First Group has achieved remarkable growth in its asset base, strengthening its competitive position within the Arab banking sector and gradually narrowing the gap with Qatar National Bank Group, which had maintained leadership of the Arab banking landscape for many years.

Supported by this strong performance, Abu Dhabi First Group is now only a few steps away from seizing the top position in the Arab banking sector from Qatar National Bank Group, particularly amid the faster pace of asset growth achieved by the UAE-based group compared to its Qatari counterpart.

Over the past five years, the asset gap between the two groups has narrowed significantly, declining from USD 31.36 bn at end-2020 to just USD 4.78 bn by end-September 2025—the lowest level recorded during the period—reflecting a clear shift in growth dynamics within the Arab banking sector.

During the first 9 months of 2025, Abu Dhabi First Group’s asset portfolio surged to USD 376.33 bn by end-September 2025, up from USD 330.35 bn at end-2024, recording a strong growth rate of 13.9% and an absolute increase of USD 45.97 bn. This performance reflects a notable expansion in the Group’s activities and its ability to strengthen its financial position at an accelerated pace.

In comparison, Qatar National Bank Group’s asset portfolio rose to USD 381.10 bn by end-September 2025, compared with USD 356.13 bn at end-2024, representing a growth rate of 7% and a total increase of USD 24.97 bn. While positive, this growth was achieved at a slower pace than that recorded by Abu Dhabi First Group over the same period.

This accelerated asset growth further reinforces the strength of Abu Dhabi First Group’s financial indicators during the first nine months of 2025, reflecting the Group’s clear ability to deliver balanced and sustainable growth, supported by a strong capital base, improved operating efficiency, and diversified income streams.

These indicators also point to the Group’s success in leveraging regional and international expansion while strengthening its core business activities, positively impacting the resilience of its financial position and its capacity to sustain growth at a pace exceeding the average of the Arab banking sector.

Net profit of Abu Dhabi First Group rose to USD 4.37 bn during the first nine months of 2025, compared with USD 3.51 bn in the corresponding period of 2024, reflecting a growth rate of 24.5% and an absolute increase of USD 860.02 mn.

Profit before tax climbed to USD 5.24 bn during the first nine months of 2025, up from USD 4.16 bn in the same period of 2024, representing growth of approximately 26%.

Net income from Islamic financing and investment products increased to USD 489.78 mn during the first nine months of 2025, compared with USD 431.55 mn in the same period of 2024, recording a growth rate of 13.5%.

Net fee and commission income surged by 23.4%, reaching USD 963.76 mn during the first nine months of 2025, compared with USD 781.15 mn in the corresponding period of 2024.

Net interest income rose slightly by 0.5%, to USD 3.58 bn during the first nine months of 2025, compared with USD 3.56 bn in the same period of 2024.

Customer deposits expanded by 8.4% during the first nine months of 2025, reaching USD 230.94 bn by end-September 2025, compared with USD 213.03 bn at end-2024.

Net loans grew to USD 162.30 bn by end-September 2025, compared with USD 144.01 bn at end-2024, representing growth of approximately 12.7%.