Emirates NBD posted a profit before tax of AED 8.2 billion in the first quarter of 2026, a 6% year-on-year increase, as the UAE's largest bank by assets continued to benefit from strong balance sheet growth, resilient margins and record non-funded income.
Total income rose 21% year-on-year to AED 14.4 billion, supported by robust loan growth and a 44% surge in non-funded income. Operating profit before impairment climbed 24% year-on-year to AED 10.2 billion, reflecting disciplined cost management alongside broad-based revenue strength.
The group's balance sheet crossed AED 1.2 trillion in total assets. Lending grew by AED 45 billion, up 7% in the quarter, while deposits expanded 6% to AED 830 billion. Capital ratios remained among the strongest in the market, with a common equity tier-1 ratio of 14.2% and a liquidity coverage ratio of 141%.
Emirates Islamic, the group's Islamic banking arm, contributed AED 1 billion in profit before tax for the quarter, underscoring its growing role within the wider group.
Group CEO Shayne Nelson said the bank's investments in digital capabilities and generative AI were driving income growth and helping offset the impact of lower interest rates. The group also successfully closed USD 2.25 billion in long-term syndicated financing during the quarter, one of the largest such deals in the GCC.
On the digital front, the group's mobile platforms now serve over 2.5 million active users across the UAE and Saudi Arabia, with more than 50 AI initiatives deployed across operations, customer experience and risk management.
Looking ahead, the bank expressed confidence in the UAE's economic resilience and maintained a constructive outlook across its regional markets, including Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Egypt.
News Source: Dubai Media Office
