Top 10 Largest Banks in the UAE

Marcopolis.net presents top banks in UAE list that groups top 10 Banks in the country by assets. Based on our findings the higest ranked bank in the UAE is Emirates NBD closely followed by the National Bank of Abu Dhabi and Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank. View the top 10 largest banks in the UAE list. 

There are 23 domestic banks in the UAE and 28 foreign banks. In addition to these banks, there also Islamic banks which are significantly growing as the number of Islamic banks is now 8. There is only one central bank however for all the 7 emirates. It implements the banking, credit and monetary policies with the UAE’s currency being the Arab Emirate Dirham (3.673AED=$1).The banks in Dubai and Abu Dhabi hold the majority of the total domestic assets.

The UAE banking sector is the largest in the world and its assets represent 1.3 times that of the UAE’s GDP. In addition to this, the banking sector has lend its fastest growth rate this year with deposits having increased by 7.4% in 2013. The average loan/deposit ratio for some major banks is above 100%.

According to Al Suwaidi, the UAE Central bank’s governor, stated the volume of banking assets in the country reached $476 billion, deposits reached $316 billion and the volume of lending hit $296 billion.

As for the number of employees in the banking sector, it has been decreasing recently: it has actually declined from 39,589 employees in December 2008 to 36,527 as of June 2010.

Taken from the Gulf Business Top 50 Banks, these are the biggest banks in the UAE by 2012 total assets:

Top 10 Largest Banks in the UAE

#1  Emirates NBD
2012 assets: $83,935,843
2011 assets: $77,498,539
Growth: 8.31%

Emirates NBD, the leading banking group in the region was formed on 16th of October 2007 when the shares of Emirates NBD were officially listed on the Dubai Financial Market (DFM). The Emirates NBD 2007 merger between Emirates Bank International (EBI) and the National Bank of Dubai (NBD), became a regional consolidation blueprint for the banking and finance sector as it combined the second and fourth largest banks in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to form a banking champion with the largest asset base in the GCC region summing up to AED 281.6 billion as at 31st December 2009. With a fast growing Islamic banking affiliated entities, strong investment and private banking services and a leadership in the field of asset management products and Brokerage services, Emirates NBD is well positioned to grow and deliver outstanding value to its shareholders, customers, and employees.
Emirates NBD bank is 95.03% owned by national investors, 2.78% from Arab investors and 2.02% by foreigners.

#2  National Bank of Abu Dhabi (NBAD)
2012 assets: $81,840,231
2011 assets: $69,616,747
Growth:17.56%

The National Bank of Abu Dhabi (NBAD) has one of the largest networks in the UAE with an expanding network of 125 branches and cash offices and more than 585 ATMs across the country. NBAD’s growing international network consists of about 60 branches and offices in 17 countries stretching across five continents from the Far East to the Americas, giving it the largest global network among all UAE banks. The bank’s majority (70.5%) is owned by Abu Dhabi government.

#3  Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB)
2012 assets: $49,222,903
2011 assets: $47,638,886
Growth: 3.33%

Abu Dhabi Investment Council has 58.08% of the ADCB’s shares. In fact, the Abu Dhabi Investment Council is an investment arm of the Government of Abu Dhabi. The Council started its operations in April 2007 and is responsible for investing part of the government’s surplus financial resources through a globally diversified investment strategy, targeting positive capital returns through an expansive portfolio of highly diversified asset classes and active investment management strategies. The Abu Dhabi Government owns 3.51% of the bank’s shares, and Foreign investors 3.54%. As for the remaining 34.87%, they are owned by other national investors.

#4  First Gulf Bank
2012 assets: $47,654,234
2011 assets: $42,880,963
Growth: 11.13%

Established in 1979, First Gulf Bank (FGB) had Shareholder Equity of AED 28 billion as of December 31st, 2012 making it one of the largest equity based banks in the UAE. Today, FGB is recognised as a world-class organisation committed to maximising value for shareholders, customers and employees as it focuses on delivering banking products and services that meet client needs and support the UAE's dynamic economy. First Gulf Bank was named the "Best Local Bank in the UAE" for 2011 and 2012 by EMEA Finance. The Abu Dhabi Ruling Family owns 67% of the First Gulf Bank, and the remaining 33% are public shareholdings.

#5  Dubai Islamic Bank
2012 assets: $25,963,708
2011 assets: $24,663,344
Growth: 5.27%

In June 2012, Dubai Islamic Bank has been named as the Best Islamic Bank in the region by Banker Middle East MagazineInspite of experiencing exceptional growth since its establishment in 1975, the Bank today remains true to its roots as a customer-centered organisation, where close personal service and honesty form the basis of all relationships. 28.63% of the Dubai Islamic Bank is owned by the Investment Corporation of Dubai. In fact, the latter isis a sovereign wealth fund owned by the government of Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Saeed Ahmed Lootah owns 6.91% of the bank while 3.38% are general pensions for Social Security Authority.

#6  Union National Bank
2012 assets: $23,723,918
2011 assets: $22,271,946
Growth: 6.52%

Established as a Public Joint Stock Company in 1982, UNB is the only bank that is jointly owned by the Governments of Abu Dhabi and Dubai. The Chairman, H. H. Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Culture, Youth & Community Development, is well supported by the Board of Directors that consists of eminent business personalities and our Senior Management team which is made up of experienced professionals.
Union Brokerage Company (UBC), one of the oldest brokerage firms in UAE is a subsidiary of UNB. Besides being a leading player in the Brokerage industry, it was among the first national companies to deal in the brokerage field in the country.
The Al Wifaq Finance Company, a subsidiary of UNB, has been established with the purpose of offering Sharia compliant financial, commercial and investing services to both organizations and individuals in compliance with the rules and principals of the Islamic Law.

#7  Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB)
2012 assets: $23,322,776
2011 assets: $20,238,243
Growth: 15.24%

In 2010, ADIB had introduced its new brand identity as a symbol of a new promise. ADIB has worked hard to implement these simple but powerful promises in the way we do business. The bank has introduced a number of new offerings and improvements already. ADIB has 70 branches and 460 ATMs. ADIB is publicly owned.

#8  Mashreq
2012 assets: $20,795,889
2011 assets: $21,574,005
Growth: -3.61%

Mashreq has provided banking and financial services to millions of customers and businesses since 1967. Mashreq is invariably among the highest performing banks in the Region. It’s financial performance reflects on its commitment to continue leading the UAE banking industry. A rising market share, solid equity base, growing asset base and return on assets has meant that Mashreq has a strong financial position in the market. In recent years Mashreq’s financial performance has grown from strength to strength, registering new highs, as our operations have expanded. Saif A. Ghurair owns 39.47% of the bank, while Abdullah A. Al Ghurair Investment Co. owns 31.10%. Masar Investment Co. owns 9.66%.

#9  National Bank of Ras Al-Khaimah (RAKBANK)
2012 assets: $7,419,041
2011 assets: $6,670,987
Growth: 11.21%

RAKBANK, the trading name of the National Bank of Ras Al-Khaimah, is a public joint stock company, headquartered in the emirate of Ras Al-Khaimah, in the UAE. The Head Office of the bank is situated in RAKBANK Building, Emirates Rd, Ras Al-Khaimah. The bank is 52.75% owned by the Government of Ras Al-Khaimah.
Shares are publicly traded. Board consists of several members of the ruling family of the emirate of Ras-Al Khaimah and businessmen from UAE and Kuwait. The bank is engaged in providing retail and corporate banking services through a network of thirty three branches in the United Arab Emirates, but all the transactions are handled on a strictly commercial basis. Rakbank is 52.75% owned by the government.