Is FAB the Same as National Bank of Abu Dhabi?
April 25, 2026 8:12 am
Is FAB the Same as National Bank of Abu Dhabi? If you’ve ever searched for the National Bank of Abu Dhabi and ended up on the First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) website, you’re probably wondering — are these the same bank? The short answer is yes, but the full story is a bit more interesting. This article breaks it all down clearly.
The National Bank of Abu Dhabi (NBAD) — A Brief History
The National Bank of Abu Dhabi (NBAD) was founded in 1968, making it one of the oldest and most established banks in the UAE. For decades, it served as a cornerstone of the country’s financial system. NBAD was widely known for its wholesale and corporate banking services, catering primarily to large businesses, government entities, and institutional clients across the region.
NBAD built a strong international presence over the years, with offices and branches spread across the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and Asia. It held a reputation as a reliable, government-backed financial institution that played a central role in funding major national projects throughout the UAE’s rapid development.
What Was First Gulf Bank (FGB)?
First Gulf Bank (FGB) was another major UAE-based bank, founded in 1979. Unlike NBAD, FGB was particularly known for its strong consumer banking franchise — meaning it was especially well-known among individual customers and retail clients rather than large corporations.
FGB grew rapidly over the years, earning recognition for its innovative retail products, credit cards, personal loans, and customer-centric approach. It became one of the most popular banks among UAE residents for everyday banking needs.
The Historic Merger: How FAB Was Born
In April 2017, something historic happened in the UAE banking sector. The National Bank of Abu Dhabi (NBAD) and First Gulf Bank (FGB) officially merged to create a single, powerful entity — First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB).
This was not just another banking merger. It was described as one of the largest bank mergers in the Middle East’s history, combining the complementary strengths of both institutions into one unified organization.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the key merger details:
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Banks Involved | NBAD + FGB |
| Date of Merger | April 2017 |
| New Entity Name | First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) |
| Result | Largest bank in the UAE |
| Status of Old Brands | Both NBAD and FGB no longer exist separately |
Why Did NBAD and FGB Merge?
The merger was driven by several strategic goals:
1. Creating a National Champion Bank The UAE government and financial authorities wanted to consolidate banking strength into a single world-class institution that could compete on the global stage. Combining two of the largest UAE banks created a financial powerhouse with significantly greater capital, reach, and capability.
2. Combining Complementary Strengths NBAD brought its deep expertise in wholesale and institutional banking, while FGB contributed a robust retail and consumer banking platform. Together, they created a bank that could serve every type of customer — from individual residents to multinational corporations.
3. Achieving Greater Efficiency Merging two large organizations allowed for the elimination of duplicate operations, shared technology infrastructure, and combined human resources — resulting in a more efficient and cost-effective institution overall.
4. Boosting Regional and Global Competitiveness By creating a bank with a larger balance sheet and more combined assets, FAB could take on bigger deals, offer larger loans, and compete with regional banking giants in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and beyond — as well as international banks operating in the Middle East.
So, Is FAB the Same as NBAD?
Yes — FAB is the successor to NBAD, but it’s important to understand what that means precisely.
FAB is not just NBAD with a new name. It is a completely new legal and commercial entity formed by merging both NBAD and FGB. Think of it like two rivers joining to form a single, larger river. The original two rivers no longer flow independently — they are now one.
- NBAD no longer exists as a standalone bank.
- FGB no longer exists as a standalone bank.
- Both brands have been fully rebranded and absorbed into FAB.
If you had an account with NBAD or FGB before 2017, that account would have been automatically transitioned to FAB. All customer accounts, loans, assets, and obligations from both former banks are now managed under the FAB brand.
FAB Today: The UAE’s Largest Bank
Since its formation in 2017, First Abu Dhabi Bank has grown into a formidable financial institution. Here are some key facts about FAB as it stands today:
- Headquarters: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Coverage: Operates across multiple countries in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and Asia
- Ownership: Majority owned by the Abu Dhabi Government (through Mubadala and other entities), reflecting its status as a national flagship bank
- Services: Retail banking, corporate banking, treasury, investment banking, private banking, wealth management
- Mission: To be recognized globally as a leading financial institution, with a strong regional foundation
FAB has consistently been ranked among the top banks in the Middle East and holds strong credit ratings from international agencies. Its combined scale gives it the balance sheet strength to participate in some of the largest financial transactions in the region.
Key Differences Between NBAD, FGB, and FAB
Understanding the three entities can be confusing, so here’s a simple summary:
NBAD (National Bank of Abu Dhabi)
- Founded: 1968
- Focus: Wholesale, corporate, and institutional banking
- Status: No longer exists — merged into FAB in 2017
FGB (First Gulf Bank)
- Founded: 1979
- Focus: Consumer and retail banking
- Status: No longer exists — merged into FAB in 2017
FAB (First Abu Dhabi Bank)
- Founded: 2017 (via merger)
- Focus: Full-service banking — retail, corporate, institutional, wealth management
- Status: Active — the largest bank in the UAE
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still use my old NBAD or FGB account details?
Yes. All former NBAD and FGB accounts were seamlessly migrated to FAB. Your account number and banking details may have been updated, but the bank would have informed customers of any changes at the time of the merger.
Is FAB a government bank?
FAB is majority-owned by Abu Dhabi government-affiliated entities, making it closely aligned with the UAE government. This gives it a strong sovereign backing.
Is FAB safe to bank with?
FAB holds strong credit ratings and is regulated by the Central Bank of the UAE. As the country’s largest bank with government backing, it is widely considered one of the safest banking choices in the UAE.
Does FAB still have branches from old NBAD and FGB locations?
Yes. Many former NBAD and FGB branch locations were integrated into the FAB branch network. FAB operates hundreds of branches and ATMs across the UAE.
Conclusion
National Bank of Abu Dhabi and First Gulf Bank no longer operate independently, having merged to form First Abu Dhabi Bank in 2017. Today, FAB stands as a powerful, unified institution offering comprehensive banking services with strong government backing and global reach.
