Abu Dhabi/Singapore (September 29, 2013) - The Asian Banker magazine named the National Bank of Abu Dhabi (NBAD) the winner of "The Strongest Bank Balance Sheet in the UAE for 2013." The accolade recognised NBAD's strong financial standing, robust business model, and long-term profitability.

The Singapore-based publisher's annual ranking of the Strongest Bank Balance Sheet determines the ranking by using a very detailed and transparent scoreboard that assesses a bank's ability to scale, balance sheet growth, risk profile, profitability, asset quality, and liquidity.

The ranking is used by investors, analysts and the media to assess the financial strength of a company.

"This ranking confirms NBAD's strong fundamentals and more importantly our capability to grow and influence as a leading financial institution in the growing trade and commercial flow in  West-East Corridor, the new super region that extends from West Africa to East Asia," says Alex Thursby, the Group Chief Executive Officer of NBAD. "I thank The Asian Banker for establishing this important ranking. We are pleased that our successful business model is recognised by a ranking that is based on rigorous quantitative assessment."

Mr. Thursby continues: "Our objective is to capitalise on our strengths and the market's confidence in us for greater growth."

In August, Global Finance, the international financial magazine, ranked NBAD one of the World's 50 Safest Banks for the fifth consecutive year, and the safest bank in the Middle East.

NBAD's long term ratings are amongst the strongest combined ratings of any financial institution in the MENA region with ratings from Moody's Aa3, Standard & Poor's (S&P) A+, Fitch AA-, RAM (Malaysia) AAA, R&I's (Japan) rating of A+.

In addition to strong ratings, NBAD continues to deliver good financial results. In 2010, NBAD became the first UAE bank to earn more than US$1billion in annual net profits.

"NBAD owes its strength position and market reputation to its prudence exercised in the conduct of business.  The Bank remained true to its principle of using balance sheet to support customers. NBAD's financial strength has allowed us to continue doing business and expand," says Abdulla M.S. AbdulRaheem, the Deputy Group Chief Executive of NBAD.

The Asian Banker's ranking is based on its rigorous quantitative assessment of financial performance of banks in Asia Pacific and Middle East. The six indicators that were examine to make the ranking are: 1) the scale of a bank's assets relative to domestic GDP, 2) balance sheet growth of net loans and deposits, 3) risk management of a bank's operations, 4) profitability and sustainability, 5) strength and credibility of loans disbursed, and; 6) liquidity of assets to meet negative events requiring cash flow.

NBAD plans to continue growth at home and in the GCC and to expand in the largest and fastest growing economies in the West-East Corridor.

NBAD network of 17 countries is the largest international network among UAE banks.

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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 since 2009, NBAD currently operates across 17 countries on five continents. NBAD has a network of 125 branches and more than 580 ATMs to provide banking services to customers all over the UAE. Besides bricks & 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 provides its customers with a wide variety of financial services targeting all segments of the consumer and corporate markets.

NBAD aims to support the long-term prosperity of our people, our customers and the communities in which we do business by being transparent and responsible. The Bank is ranked 3rd on the S&P/Hawkamah ESG Pan Arab Index out of the top 50 Pan Arab companies based on their performance on nearly 200 environment, social, and governance metrics.

NBAD is rated senior long term/short term A+/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 Middle Eastern financial institution.

For media enquiries, please contact:
Ehab Khairi                                
Senior Manager, Media & PR - VP, Corporate Communication 
National Bank of Abu Dhabi (NBAD)
Tel: +97126111190
Email: ehab.khairi@nbad.com 
Web: www.nbad.com

© Press Release 2013