Abu Dhabi (January 23rd, 2011) - The National Bank of Abu Dhabi (NBAD), the Number One Bank in UAE, has appointed Michael Aissaoui as the Head of Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) who will work in the Bank's Investment Banking Group (IBG) to expand NBAD's M&A advisory activities.

Mr. Aissaoui joins NBAD from Société Générale in Paris where he served as head of Mergers & Acquisitions for the MENA region.

 Mr. Aissaoui has significant experience in corporate finance advisory and mergers & acquisitions, including 15 years in cross-border M&A transactions in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), both on the origination and execution side. He has worked in Paris and London advising MENA and European clients.

"Michael Aissaoui has a great banking profile from years of experience in international banking, particularly in M&A. NBAD will benefit greatly from his experience in our plan to expand our M&A activities," said Nicholas Gilani, the Co-Head of Investment Banking Group of NBAD. "We would position Michael Aissaoui's know-how to strengthen NBAD capabilities to benefit from M&A opportunities in the MENA region."

Prior to Société Générale, Mr. Aissaoui worked with the World Bank in privatisation programmes in MENA. He also worked with Lafarge at Strategy Department, handling the company's MENA's Mergers and Acquisitions operations.   He started his career in strategy consulting in KPMG Peat Marwick.

"From working in capital markets in Europe and MENA, I know the National Bank of Abu Dhabi (NBAD) has great reputation and tremendous potentials, this is why I'm honoured and excited to be a part of this bank," Mr. Aissaoui said. "I look forward to working with Investment Banking Group's capable team to expand NBAD's M&A activities."

Mr. Aissaoui earned an Executive MBA from European School of Management-Paris (E.S.C.P).  He also holds a master's degree in Corporate Finance from the University of Paris-Dauphine and another master's degree in Economics and Mathematics from University of Paris-Sorbonne. He speaks English, French, and Arabic.

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About NBAD
The National Bank of Abu Dhabi (NBAD), The Number One Bank in UAE, was incorporated in 1968 and is listed on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX), under stock code (NBAD).

Ranked as one of the top 50 safest banks in the world, NBAD currently operates across 13 countries on four continents.

NBAD has a network of 116 branches and 483 ATMs to provide banking services to customers all over the UAE.

Besides brick & mortar branches, NBAD provides 24 hour internet banking access through NbadOnline and NbadDirect, the SMS-based payment service (Arrow) as well as account access and personalised customer support through its 24-hour Call Centre.

NBAD's overseas network stretches from Oman, Kuwait, and Bahrain in the G.C.C.; Egypt, Libya, and Sudan in Africa; UK, France, and Switzerland in Europe; Hong Kong and Jordan in Asia to Washington, D.C. in the U.S.A. Overall, NBAD has nearly 50 branches and 60 ATMs outside the UAE.

NBAD provides its customers with a wide variety of financial services targeting all segments of the consumer and corporate markets.

NBAD is rated senior long term/short term A+/A-1 by Standard and Poor's, Aa3/P1 by Moodys and AA-/F1+ by Fitch giving it one of the strongest combined rating of any Middle Eastern financial institution.

For further enquires, please contact:
Ehab Khairi
Media & PR Manager
National Bank of Abu Dhabi
Tel: +97126111190
Email: ehab.khairi@nbad.com
Web: www.nbad.com

© Press Release 2012