08 December 2015
NBAD has raised AED73.38 billion equivalent via debt markets issuance for UAE clients this year, more than any other domestic or international bank

NBAD has led all of the largest bonds, Sukuk and syndicated loans for UAE borrowers year-to-date

NBAD appointed as Bookrunner and Global Facility Agent on a USD4.9 billion syndicated loan for Emirates Global Aluminium. This transaction is the largest UAE fundraising since 2008

Abu Dhabi: National Bank of Abu Dhabi PJSC ("NBAD") has raised AED73.38 billion equivalent via Bond, Sukuk and Syndicated Loan markets for UAE clients this year, more than any other domestic or international bank, according to Dealogic. In doing so, NBAD is playing a key role in providing critical liquidity to the UAE market and supporting the growth of the economy.

Alex Thursby, NBAD's Group Chief Executive Officer, said, "As the largest bank in the UAE, NBAD has a responsibility to support the growth of our nation's economy. This is a responsibility we are proud to bear. That is why, two years ago, we made a conscious decision to extend NBAD's reach internationally and diversify our funding sources. It was this decision that enabled us to be the largest arranger of debt finance for UAE issuers this year, which was a period of significant market volatility and tight liquidity. Our strategy remains on track and we are ready to build on this strong platform into 2016."

Andy Cairns, Managing Director and Global Head of Debt Origination & Distribution at NBAD, said, "Providing UAE borrowers with access to cost effective international liquidity is a key pillar of our financing proposition and I am pleased that we have led so many landmark fundraisings for UAE clients during 2015. This focus on our home market is critical to what we, as a firm, do and will continue."

This year, NBAD has acted as bookrunner on the UAE's three largest bond and Sukuk issuances, for the Government of Ras Al Khaimah, Dubai Islamic Bank and NBAD itself. NBAD has also bookrun all of this year's bonds and Sukuk from UAE corporate issuers, for Majid Al Futtaim, DP World, Etisalat and Emirates.

In the syndicated loan market, NBAD was Global Coordinator and Bookrunner on the year's largest completed deal to-date, TAQA's USD3.1 billion fundraising. Last week, NBAD announced a USD4.9 billion syndicated loan for Emirates Global Aluminium. NBAD is Bookrunner and Global Facility Agent on this transaction, which will be the largest syndicated loan from the UAE since 2008.

In the last 12 months, NBAD's Debt Origination and Distribution team has won 48 awards including "Rising Star Emerging Markets House" at the Global Capital Bond Awards, becoming the first-ever MENA bank to win this accolade. NBAD was also named as the "Best Sukuk House of the Year" at the Global Islamic Finance Awards as well as the "Best DCM House in the UAE" by Euromoney.

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About NBAD
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 18 countries stretching across five continents from the Far East to the Americas, giving it the largest global network among all UAE banks.

Since 2009, NBAD has been ranked consecutively as one of the World's 50 Safest Banks by the prestigious Global Finance magazine, which also named NBAD the Safest Bank in the Emerging Markets and the Middle East.

 NBAD is rated senior long term/short term AA-/A-1+ by Standard & Poor's (S&P), Aa3/P1 by Moody's, AA-/F1+ by Fitch, A+ by Rating and Investment Information Inc (R&I) Japan, and AAA by RAM (Malaysia) , giving it one of the strongest combined rating of any  Global  financial institution.

A comprehensive financial institution, NBAD offers a range of banking services including retail, investment and Islamic banking. NBAD grows strategically toward its vision to be recognised as the World's Best Arab Bank.

For more information, please visit our corporate webpage at: www.nbad.com.

© Press Release 2015