FAB recognised by CDP as top UAE financial institution fighting climate change

First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB), the UAE’s largest bank and one of the world’s largest and safest financial institutions, reported its financial results for the full year ended 31 December 2018 today.

Strong set of results in second year post-merger

Full year 2018 Group Net Profit at AED 12.0 Billion, up 10% from AED 10.9 Billion in 2017
Basic Earnings Per Share (EPS) at AED 1.06, compared to AED 0.96 in 2017
Operating income of AED 19.4 Billion, broadly in line with 2017 Group revenue which included opportunistic investment gains and higher property-related income

Proposed cash dividend per share of 74 fils

FAB’s Board of Directors recommend the distribution of a cash dividend per share of 74 fils, implying record total cash dividends[1] Subject to shareholders’ approval at General Assembly Meeting scheduled to be held in Abu Dhabi on 25 February 2019 of AED 8.0 Billion for 2018, up 6% year-on-year

UAE integration journey successfully completed

Successful unification of legacy systems in Q4 was the final milestone of the UAE’s integration journey
Around 75% of 2020 cost synergy run-rate target has been achieved so far
Full year 2018 cost-to-income ratio (excluding integration costs) improved to 25.9%, down from 27.7% in 2017

FAB starts 2019 from a position of strength

Total assets at AED 744 Billion, up 11% year-on-year
Loans and advances at AED 353 Billion, up 7% year-on-year
Customer deposits at AED 465 Billion, up 18% year-on-year
Strong liquidity position and funding profile with Liquidity Coverage Ratio at 118%
Healthy asset quality with Non-Performing Loan ratio at 3.1%, and adequate provisions coverage at 110%
Improved profitability with Return on Tangible Equity at 16.2%, up from 14.6% as of December-end 2017
Capital position is robust with Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) ratio at 14.0%, or 12.4% post proposed dividend, comfortably in excess of regulatory requirements

[1] Subject to shareholders’ approval at General Assembly Meeting scheduled to be held in Abu Dhabi on 25 February 2019

Commenting on the results, His Highness Sheikh Tahnoon Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of FAB, said:

“FAB’s financial results for 2018 round off a remarkable year of achievements for the bank. A further highlight was the successful completion of the bank’s IT systems integration in December, allowing us to finalise our UAE integration journey in less than two years. This is not just an unprecedented achievement locally and regionally, but also internationally, in light of the entailed complexity in bringing two large entities together under one single platform.”

In line with our commitment to maximise shareholder returns, the bank’s Board of Directors has recommended to distribute a cash dividend of 74 fils per share for the year ended 31 December 2018. This brings total cash dividends for the year to AED 8.0 Billion, a 6% increase compared to 2017, and a reflection of FAB’s continued strength.

His Highness added: “FAB’s second year of operations witnessed a number of major successes. During the year the bank secured the Capital Market Authority (CMA) and Saudi Arabia Monetary Authority (SAMA) licenses for its KSA operations. During the fourth quarter, the bank also launched the Abu Dhabi Government's digital payment portal, developed in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Smart Solutions and Services Authority, and supporting a ‘smart’ cashless economy in line with the Abu Dhabi Vision 2030 and the Ghadan 2021 development program. ”

Abdulhamid Saeed, Group Chief Executive Officer of FAB, added:

"First Abu Dhabi Bank registered a strong set of financial results in the second year post-merger, with the Group's net profit increasing 10% year-on-year to AED 12.0 Billion, as we continued to cement our leading market position both in corporate and personal banking, while realising significant operating efficiencies and maintaining strong capital, liquidity and risk ratios. Last year, the bank also firmly established itself as the largest UAE company by market capitalisation.

Being the Year of Zayed, 2018 will always be remembered as a special year. Operationally, it will stand out as the year we concluded our UAE integration journey, completing all required milestones on schedule, and allowing us to provide enhanced banking products and services to our customers.

Having completed our UAE integration journey, which has been a core focus for the past two years, the bank will begin to unlock its full potential to continue to maximise shareholder value, while creating more opportunities for customers, employees, and communities to grow stronger together. Throughout 2019, the UAE’s Year of Tolerance, we aim to build bridges between people, markets and cultures at home and abroad across our businesses and the geographies we operate within.”

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