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Fitch Ratings affirmed First Abu Dhabi Bank’s long-term issuer default rating at AA- with a stable outlook on May 5, 2026. The rating agency cited the bank’s flagship status in the UAE banking sector, its robust domestic franchise and strong likelihood of extraordinary support from the Abu Dhabi government and UAE authorities. Sound asset quality, robust funding and liquidity profiles were also listed as positive factors in the Fitch assessment, according to a bank press release distributed on the day.
The bank maintains AA- or equivalent ratings from all three leading credit agencies, according to information published on FAB’s official website. Moody’s Investors Service rates the bank at Aa3 while S&P Global Ratings has assigned it AA-, with all three carrying stable outlooks. This ratings profile is the strongest combined rating among banks in the MENA region, the lender has stated in multiple announcements.
FAB reported a net profit of AED 5.01 billion in the first quarter of 2026, according to earnings data released by the bank in April. The group’s common equity tier one capital ratio stood at 12.8 percent at the end of March while its liquidity coverage ratio reached 145 percent. These figures demonstrate the financial strength that aligns with the high credit ratings assigned by international agencies.
S&P Global Ratings affirmed the UAE sovereign credit rating at AA/A-1+ with stable outlook in April 2026, WAM reported. The sovereign rating acts as a key anchor for the credit assessments of leading national banks such as FAB. UAE economic growth remained robust in early 2026, providing a supportive backdrop for the financial sector, according to the same reports.
First Abu Dhabi Bank was established in 2017 through the merger of National Bank of Abu Dhabi and First Gulf Bank. It has since developed into one of the largest financial institutions in the Middle East with a significant international footprint. The bank operates across personal banking, corporate and investment banking as well as global markets and treasury, according to its corporate profile.
According to Fitch’s rating report, the affirmations reflect the agencies’ confidence in FAB’s business model and risk management practices. Government support from Abu Dhabi remains a critical element in the rating methodologies employed by all three agencies, the reports indicated. FAB’s close ties to the UAE economy and its strategic importance as a flagship bank continue to support its credit profile, according to the assessments.
