Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB) has delivered a record performance for the first half of 2026, with profit before tax reaching AED 7.607 billion, up 28% year-on-year, and net profit after tax rising 34% to AED 6.737 billion. The Bank also posted a record Q2 2026 profit before tax of AED 3.826 billion, up 26% year-on-year, extending its streak to 20 consecutive quarters of profit growth.
Operating income grew 12% year-on-year to AED 11.981 billion, driven by a 22% rise in non-interest income to AED 4.510 billion, which now represents 38% of total operating income. The cost-to-income ratio improved by 90 basis points to 26.8%, reflecting disciplined cost management alongside continued investment in technology and business growth.
On the balance sheet, total assets reached AED 833 billion, up 16% year-on-year, while net loans to customers grew 18% to AED 445 billion. Customer deposits rose 14% to AED 527 billion, underpinning a stable and well-diversified funding profile. Asset quality strengthened significantly, with the cost of risk declining to 38 basis points in H1 2026 from 69 basis points a year earlier, and the non-performing loan ratio improving to 1.71%.
The Bank maintained a solid capital position, with a CET1 ratio of 13.66% and a liquidity coverage ratio of 109.5%, providing a strong foundation for continued growth. Return on average equity stood at 16.2%, up 210 basis points year-on-year.
Ala’a Eraiqat, Group Chief Executive Officer
ADCB’s performance in the second quarter reflects the strength of our franchise and the resilience of the UAE economy, which demonstrated remarkable momentum especially in the context of regional developments during the period. Profit before tax increased 26% year on year to a record AED 3.826 billion, marking our 20th consecutive quarter of growth.
As a major financial institution at the heart of the UAE economy, we are seeing clear evidence of healthy investment activity and consumer confidence. The Bank delivered net loan growth of AED 42 billion and deposit growth of AED 27 billion in the first half of the year, while maintaining strong asset quality. These trends demonstrate the trust that customers place in ADCB and reinforce our positive outlook.
In the second year of our five-year strategy, we have maintained a clear focus on execution and on building a technology-driven organisation. We continued to embed AI across customer services, employee productivity and business operations, including the launch of our new AI-enabled mobile banking application.
Looking ahead, we see a healthy pipeline of opportunities across our core businesses. With significant investment continuing across energy, transport, logistics, infrastructure, tourism and artificial intelligence, the UAE’s fundamentals remain exceptionally strong, underpinned by the clarity of its long-term vision and leadership. ADCB is well positioned to play a central role in supporting the next phase of economic expansion, sustaining its growth trajectory and creating long-term value for all stakeholders.
Deepak Khullar, Group Chief Financial Officer
ADCB’s first-half performance reflects the fundamental strength of the Bank, with profitability supported by strong lending momentum, well diversified income streams and a lower cost of risk.
Non-interest income continues to serve as a key driver of growth, increasing 22% year on year in the first half, supported by higher fee and trading income. Consistent growth in operating income combined with continued productivity initiatives and disciplined cost management drove a 90 basis point improvement in the first-half cost-to-income ratio to 26.8%.
Financing activity remained strong across the Bank’s core businesses, reflecting healthy demand across a broad range of economic sectors. This was accompanied by steady customer deposit inflows, underlining the stability of the Bank’s funding profile. Asset quality remained strong, with cost of risk reducing to 38 basis points in the first half from 69 basis points a year earlier and remaining comfortably below our guidance.
With a CET1 ratio of 13.66% and a liquidity coverage ratio of 109.5%, ADCB enters the second half in a position of financial strength. This provides the solid foundations to capitalise on growth opportunities and invest in the priorities set out in our five-year strategy.
