Although you'll recognise the sleek towers and modern branches of banks in Abu Dhabi, each one has its own approach to serving the city's international community. Many institutions excel with innovative digital services and multilingual support, though their account requirements and fee structures often differ from what you might be used to at home.
After spending time here, residents learn that choosing the right bank makes a massive difference to financial life in the UAE. This guide walks through the standout options in Abu Dhabi in 2025, looking at both local and international choices that serve different needs.
Top Local Banks
First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB)
FAB is the largest bank in the UAE, formed when National Bank of Abu Dhabi merged with First Gulf Bank back in 2017. Size matters here – they've got cash machines everywhere and the most branches across the city.
Their mobile app has improved in recent years, customers can do everything without visiting a branch now. The English version works properly too, which wasn't always the case with UAE banking apps.
Opening an account is relatively straightforward, though the salary requirements can be steep for their better accounts. New customers need to show a salary certificate from their employer, and most premium accounts need a substantial monthly salary transfer.
FAB's credit cards are worth looking at, especially for frequent travellers. Their Etihad Guest cards earn airline miles faster than most competitors, and their cashback cards give decent returns on everyday spending.
Customer service experience can vary depending on which branch you visit. While their digital banking is excellent, fee structures aren't always clearly communicated upfront. Regular account monitoring is advisable, as is establishing a relationship with a specific bank representative who can help clarify any questions about your account. Many long-term customers find that once they understand the system, the banking experience becomes much smoother.
Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB)
ADCB has built a reputation for being more customer-friendly than many local banks. Their Hayyak programme for newcomers helps users set up banking, phone, and even housing payments in one go – a genuine timesaver when just landing in the UAE.
Their TouchPoints loyalty programme is one of the better ones in Abu Dhabi banking. Customers earn points on everyday transactions that add up surprisingly quickly, and can be used for anything from shopping vouchers to bill payments.
The ActiveSaver account is popular with families trying to build up savings, offering decent interest rates if account holders follow certain conditions. Their mortgage options are also among the more competitive for residents looking to buy property in Abu Dhabi.
Where ADCB falls short is their branch experience. Despite nice facilities, customers often face long waits, especially at month-end. The good news is their digital banking is solid enough that branch visits are rarely necessary.
Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB)
ADIB has grown into one of Abu Dhabi's banking success stories. Though guided by Islamic principles, customers find the day-to-day experience feels familiar and straightforward.
Their Ghina savings account offers profit rates (Sharia-compliant returns shared from the bank’s profits) that typically outperform conventional bank interest. They're also known for flexible personal financing through goods murabaha – a cost-plus-profit arrangement where the bank buys an item and sells it to the customer at a markup, different in structure from traditional loans but just as accessible in practice.
The bank's mobile app is surprisingly good, with an English interface that's clearer than many competitors. Customers also encounter shorter queues at branches compared to the bigger banks.
The main drawback is slightly fewer ATMs around the city, though this matters less now that most UAE banks offer free withdrawals from any ATM in the country.
International Banks
HSBC
HSBC has a long history in the Gulf and maintains a balance between local knowledge and international standards. For expats planning to move money between countries, their global presence is a significant advantage – customers can open accounts in multiple currencies and transfer between them much more easily than with local banks.
Their Premier account package waives most fees if customers maintain a substantial balance or have a high monthly salary going in. This threshold is quite high, but the international banking benefits can be worth it for higher earners, especially the ability to open accounts in new countries before even moving there.
Property financing is another strength, with mortgage rates for expats typically more competitive than local banks, particularly for homes in internationally-friendly areas like Saadiyat Island or Al Raha Beach.
HSBC's attention to documentation detail can be a double-edged sword. Their thorough approach means every 'i' must be dotted and every 't' crossed, which can be tiresome.
Citibank
Citibank keeps a smaller footprint in Abu Dhabi than some competitors, but they excel at serving American expats in particular. Their accounts make it easy to manage finances between the UAE and the US, with straightforward tax reporting features that anyone dealing with the IRS will appreciate.
Their Citigold service (for those with significant deposits) connects customers with relationship managers who typically understand international financial matters better than staff at local banks. They've also developed investment products that comply with both UAE and US regulations.
The mobile app ranks among the best available in Abu Dhabi, with features that sometimes arrive here years before local banks adopt them. Customers can deposit US cheques remotely, something even HSBC doesn't provide in the UAE.
The downsides include a limited branch network and ATM presence, plus higher minimum balance requirements than most local banks.
Digital Banking Options
YAP
YAP isn't a full bank but a digital banking platform that works with established UAE banks behind the scenes. It's been a game-changer for newcomers to Abu Dhabi who need basic banking functions without the hassle of typical account opening procedures.
Account holders can set up a YAP account entirely through their app, usually getting approved within a day or two. There's no minimum salary requirement, making it accessible to everyone from household staff to freelancers who might struggle with mainstream financial institutions.
The app offers instant spending notifications, categorised spending analysis, and the ability to create sub-accounts for saving towards specific goals. Their exchange rates for international transfers are also more transparent than most established banks.
The limitations? Users can't deposit cash directly, there's no chequebook (though this matters less in increasingly digital Abu Dhabi), and some government services still prefer payments from notable banking providers.
Neo
Neo entered the Abu Dhabi market more recently but has quickly gained users with their UAE-focused digital experience. Like YAP, they're not technically a bank but provide a banking interface backed by licensed financial institutions.
The best thing about Neo is their integration with local services – everything from ADDC utility payments to Mawaqif parking can be handled directly through the app.
There are no monthly fees or minimum balances, and their physical debit card works everywhere Visa is accepted. The foreign exchange rates also beat traditional banks by a significant margin.
The catch is that accounts have a maximum balance limit unless customers undergo additional verification, which might be too restrictive for some users.
Finding Your Financial Home
Banking in Abu Dhabi has improved so much in recent years, with more competition driving better customer service and digital options. The right choice depends largely on specific needs – a single professional making international transfers has very different requirements from a family buying property and settling in long-term.
Many long-term residents end up with accounts at multiple banks – perhaps a local bank for salary and day-to-day spending, plus an international option for investments or overseas connections. Digital banking apps make it increasingly easy to manage multiple accounts from one phone.
Whatever the choice, it's worth remembering that switching banks in the UAE is easier in the current climate. If a banking relationship isn't working out, exploring alternatives is worth the effort for financial peace of mind.
