Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank

Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB) was established on May 20, 1997, as a Public Joint Stock Company under Amiri Decree No. 9 of 1997, marking it as the first Islamic bank in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

The bank commenced its commercial operations on November 11, 1998, and was formally inaugurated on April 18, 1999, by His Highness Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, then UAE Minister of Information and Culture. ADIB operates fully in accordance with Islamic Shari’a principles, ensuring that all contracts, operations, and transactions adhere strictly to Islamic finance guidelines.

The bank started with a paid-up capital of one billion dirhams, divided into one hundred million shares valued at ten dirhams each, with its shares publicly traded on the Abu Dhabi Securities Market.

ADIB’s founding shareholders included the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA), which holds a significant equity stake, alongside prominent UAE nationals and other investors. The bank quickly established itself as a leading institution in the Islamic finance sector by offering a comprehensive range of Shari’a-compliant products and services across retail, corporate, and investment banking.

It introduced innovative solutions such as Islamic covered cards and gold and platinum cards, providing customers with access to liquidity while adhering to Islamic finance law. Over the years, ADIB expanded its branch network in the UAE and internationally, including a strong presence in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, Qatar, Sudan, and Iraq, serving hundreds of thousands of customers.

Throughout its growth trajectory, ADIB has maintained a strong commitment to sustainable and ethical banking practices, evidenced by milestones such as issuing the world’s largest green sukuk by a bank in 2023, reflecting its dedication to environmental sustainability.

The bank’s financial performance has consistently improved, with total assets reaching AED 226 billion by the end of 2024 and a record net profit before tax reported in 2024. ADIB also became the first Islamic bank globally to adopt a cloud-native architecture for its operations in 2025, highlighting its focus on technological innovation.

Governance at ADIB is overseen by a board of directors comprising experienced professionals, with leadership dedicated to its vision of becoming a top-tier Islamic financial services group globally.

The bank’s core values emphasize transparency, mutual benefit, hospitality, tolerance, and adherence to Shari’a principles, firmly positioning it as a trusted financial institution that meets the growing demand for Islamic banking solutions in the UAE and beyond.