First Bank tracks UAE’s 10 largest banks in the Arab top 100

Translated & Edited by Aya Elsayed

The UAE banking sector maintained a strong presence in First Bank’s ranking of the 100 largest Arab banks at end-June 2026, with 17 UAE banks securing places on the list.

The country’s 10 largest banks occupied positions ranging from second to 43rd, including four institutions operating in Egypt.

The 10 banks' performance during the first half of 2026 revealed contrasting trends in asset growth and ranking positions. While some banks advanced on the back of faster expansion, others retained their positions or slipped one place despite reporting higher assets.

First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) fell one place to second among Arab banks at end-June 2026, having topped the ranking for the first time at end-2025. Its assets edged up just 0.4 per cent to USD 383.57bn, from USD 382.23bn at end-2025, as faster growth at its closest competitor cost the group its lead.

Emirates NBD, meanwhile, climbed from fourth to third place, becoming the second-largest UAE bank in the ranking. Its assets surged 13.6 per cent during the first half of 2026 to USD 360.08bn, from USD 317.04bn at end-2025, an increase of more than USD 43bn.

Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB) retained sixth place among Arab banks, with assets rising 7.7 per cent to USD 226.86bn at end-June 2026, compared with USD 210.64bn at end-2025.

Dubai Islamic Bank (DIB) also held its position in 12th place, with assets increasing 1.7 per cent to USD 115.22bn at end-June 2026, from USD 113.25bn at end-2025.

Mashreq Group maintained 13th place after recording asset growth of 9.3 per cent during the first half of the year, taking its total assets to USD 99.59bn, compared with USD 91.11bn at end-2025.

Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB) advanced from 19th to 18th place, supported by an 8.3 per cent increase in assets to USD 82.75bn at end-June 2026, from USD 76.44bn at end-2025.

Commercial Bank of Dubai (CBD) slipped from 31st to 32nd place as its assets declined 3.6 per cent to USD 42.07bn at end-June 2026, compared with USD 43.65bn at end-2025.

Emirates Islamic also fell one place, from 32nd to 33rd, despite recording asset growth of 5.5 per cent to USD 41.88bn, from USD 39.69bn. The decline highlights how differences in growth rates can alter ranking positions even when individual banks continue to expand.

National Bank of Ras Al Khaimah (RAKBANK) retained 40th place, with assets rising 3.4 per cent to USD 29.57bn at end-June 2026, from USD 28.59bn at end-2025.

Sharjah Islamic Bank also held its position in 43rd place, recording asset growth of 4.7 per cent during the first half of 2026 to USD 25.74bn, compared with USD 24.59bn at end-2025.

The movements among the UAE’s 10 largest banks underscore the differing pace of expansion across the sector. While stronger asset growth enabled some institutions to climb the regional ranking, others held their positions or slipped despite expanding their balance sheets.