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Smart Capital, Smarter Homes: FAB new services offer business-minded investors a strategic edge

Smart Capital, Smarter Homes: FAB new services offer business-minded investors a strategic edge

First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) offers a timely solution for professionals, investors, and high-net-worth individuals seeking efficient and cost-conscious conventional and Islamic home financing in a rising interest/profit rate environment and an increasingly competitive property market. Through its FAB Elite Mortgage and FAB Islamic Elite home finance options, the bank delivers financial products that appeal to the bottom line, without compromising flexibility or compliance preferences.
Real estate remains a cornerstone of long-term wealth accumulation, and in the UAE's dynamic property landscape, buyers are increasingly looking for tailored financial solutions. FAB understands this demand and has launched exclusive mortgage and Islamic home finance offers that not only support ownership of premium properties but also enhance one's broader investment strategy.
Whether it's purchasing a high-end residence, completing a developer handover, or planning to expand your real estate portfolio, FAB Elite home financing's fixed-rate options, starting at 3.99% deliver a rare mix of stability and value with a variety of rewards.
Mortgage and finance clients can save up to AED 25,000 in processing and associated fees, an enticing incentive for first-time buyers or investors targeting luxury units. For those refinancing or transferring an existing loan/finance, the perks are just as compelling. Clients can avail up to 180 days of grace before their first payment. They are also eligible for refunds on processing and valuation fees with no early settlement charges and a full waiver on mortgage or home finance buyout fees.
These benefits ensure that both new and existing property owners can optimize their financial planning while securing high-value assets.
Favourable rates and cost savings are not the only benefits of the new services. FAB is raising the stakes with an extraordinary incentive: a chance to win up to 1.5 KG of gold. Every eligible mortgage or home finance application is automatically entered into this exclusive draw, adding an exciting layer of reward to an already interesting opportunity.
For those seeking Islamic finance options, FAB Islamic's Elite Home Finance also offers competitive offerings. Clients enjoy the same fixed profit rate of 3.99%, identical savings, and gold giveaway eligibility, all within a fully Shariah-compliant framework.
The tailored service includes access to exclusive Islamic credit card products that align with your lifestyle and ethical values, underscoring FAB Islamic's commitment to principled yet powerful financial solutions.
Every investor receives dedicated support from FAB's expert mortgage and home finance advisors, professionals skilled in navigating the complexities of property transactions and optimising high-value deals. Whether acquiring a luxury holiday home, diversifying a global portfolio, or preparing to transfer wealth across generations, FAB ensures every step is strategically sound.
With up to five years of fixed-rate certainty, investors can lock in today's attractive rates and ride out potential fluctuations in future financing costs, securing both peace of mind and long-term profitability. In an age where informed property investment is a mark of true financial acumen, FAB's Elite Mortgage and Elite Home Finance go beyond traditional lending. They represent a gateway to wealth preservation, lifestyle enhancement, and unique rewards, gold included.
For discerning investors who demand more than just a home, FAB delivers property finance with the polish, precision, and prestige they deserve.
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UAE's sugar tax plan to 'incentivise' drink brands to deliver healthier options
UAE's sugar tax plan to 'incentivise' drink brands to deliver healthier options

The National

time23 minutes ago

  • The National

UAE's sugar tax plan to 'incentivise' drink brands to deliver healthier options

Tax increases on sugar loaded drinks have been backed by soft drink producers and experts who said the move will push companies to offer healthier choices. From 2026, all UAE drinks will be priced according to their sugar content, per 100ml serving. Although it is not yet clear if new tariffs will affect alcoholic beverages, the drinks industry is braced for change. A departure from the flat rate sugar tax, will see the most calorific drinks hit with higher taxes to push consumers away from unhealthy options. The UAE has some of the region's highest rates for diabetes at about 20 per cent of the adult population, a condition exacerbated by sugar-sweetened drinks. Manufacturers have been exploring alternatives to sugar, such as the plant-based stevia, to sweeten drinks. But one of the world's largest soft drinks producers, PepsiCo, said consumer choice will always be driven by taste. 'We see this tax as allowing consumers to have more choices by allowing the industry to really innovate and reformulate products,' said Wael Ismail, vice president for corporate affairs, Africa, Middle East and South Asia, PepsiCo. 'Because of the tax brackets and how they're structured it allows the industry to invest more in awareness campaigns and research. We've seen this work in other places where this type of structure allows the industry to reformulate, innovate and offer consumer choices. 'Consumers will catch up to these trends, but our focus is really on taste. People like our products because of the recipes of the formulas that use sugar, but it's not the only component. As long as we're meeting consumer demands and tastes, we will always have a role to play.' Reformulated products Two of PepsiCo's most popular products are Pepsi-Cola and Mountain Dew. A reformulation of regular Pepsi sold in supermarkets and retailers has seen the sugar content reduced from 36g of sugar in a regular 330ml can to 15g. Mountain Dew is one of the most sugar laden soft drinks with each 355ml can containing a staggering 46g of sugar. By 2025, PepsiCo aims for at least two-thirds of its drinks sales volume to have 100 calories or less from added sugars per 355ml serving, which equates to about 26g of sugar. 'Back in 2017 when this tax was first introduced we went from an environment with no taxes to an environment with very high taxes,' said Mr Ismail. 'This had an impact on volumes, but markets have stabilised, since. We see this new change in the tax regime as fundamentally showing how the UAE and Gulf countries want to work with industry to consult, collaborate to find these win-win solutions.' Many soft drinks manufacturers have evolved to suit changing markets, by reducing the size of cans or developing sugar-free alternatives. Coca-Cola is also modifying products to suit consumer tastes and new tax bands. The company said it was committed to making more reduced and no-sugar versions of drinks, while making them easier to find. In 2023, 30 per cent of drinks sold by Coca-Cola were low or no calorie, while 68 per cent of products contained less than 100 calories per 355ml serving. International approach has mixed success The tiered sugar tax set for the UAE has been in place in South Africa since 2018. The Health Promotion Levy is fixed at 2.1 per cent per gram of sugar above 4g per 100ml, but has had a mixed effect in a nation where 70 per cent of women are obese or overweight, and one in three men. As taxes were not ring fenced for health services, just ZAR38 million (Dh7.8m) of the ZAR7.9 billion (Dh1.63bn) collected was used to promote healthy living, while the sugar industry suffered 16,621 job losses. There was, however, a 29 per cent reduction in average consumption of carbonated drinks per household. In the GCC, consumer choices have changed significantly since the sugar tax was first introduced in 2017, and the price of some soft drinks doubled overnight. A cross-sectional study by King Fahd Hospital in Madinah showed a 19 per cent decrease in soft drinks consumption after taxation in Saudi Arabia, with a 75 per cent reduction among obese participants. In the UAE, however, the results from the first sugar tax were less conclusive. A study conducted by the Dubai Health Authority and University of Ontario showed no statistically significant change in consumption of sugar sweetened drinks by gender, age or nationality. It is not yet clear if the new sugar taxes will include alcoholic drinks. While most beers contain up to 3g of sugar per 355ml serving, some wines can contain about 8g per 148ml glass. Cider is generally the most sugary alcoholic drink with a 473ml glass containing up to 21g of sugar. "The results of the 2017 UAE sugar tax were not exactly a revolution, but not bad either,' said Shamma Al Falahi, partner, Head of the Tax Department at BSA Law. 'Sales of sugary drinks dropped from 7.4 per cent to 5.9 per cent of the beverage market, according to World Health Organisation data. 'The new tiered system is expected to incentivise healthier formulations and make healthier beverages more affordable and accessible. 'It means new compliance costs for businesses, registration, and the need to rethink reformulating the products. Wealthier consumers are less sensitive to price hikes and may accept paying off the extra cost. 'However, evidence from other countries suggests that sugar taxes can still be effective in reducing consumption among vulnerable populations, such as young people and low-income consumers, who are more responsive to changes in relative prices.' The UAE Ministry of Finance said the recent amendment to the excise tax on sugar-sweetened beverages was only preliminary, When asked about the addition of sugar taxes to include alcoholic beverages, a spokesperson said 'additional details will be announced in due course to support businesses in achieving full compliance with an updated policy'. A review of the region's sugar tax by the WHO found further taxation had the potential to reduce childhood obesity in Saudi Arabia from 38 per cent in 2020, to 34 per cent by 2030. In the UAE, the potential is to reduce the rate from 37 per cent, to 34 per cent. Health implications Reshma Devjani, a clinical dietician at Fakeeh University Hospital Dubai, said fewer than 10 per cent of a child's calorie intake should be derived from free sugars. 'Reducing sugar content will help cut down on a concentrated source of calories and carbohydrates,' she said. 'This could reduce weight gain and obesity, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, dental caries and heart health.' According to the World Bank, there are 117 nations and territories now subject to a tax on sugary drinks, affecting 57 per cent of the global population.

LuLu expands its value concept stores in UAE; New LOT opens in Mussafah, Abu Dhabi
LuLu expands its value concept stores in UAE; New LOT opens in Mussafah, Abu Dhabi

Khaleej Times

timean hour ago

  • Khaleej Times

LuLu expands its value concept stores in UAE; New LOT opens in Mussafah, Abu Dhabi

LuLu has further expanded its value-focused retail concept, LOT, with the opening of a new store at Mazyad Mall in Mussafah, Abu Dhabi. The store was officially inaugurated by Yusuffali M A, chairman of Lulu Group. This strategic expansion reflects LOT's mission to offer affordable, high-quality products to a broader customer base. The new outlet marks the 22nd LOT store in the GCC and the 9th in the UAE. Spanning 20,000 sq ft, the store features a curated range of household essentials, kitchenware, and fashion for men, women, and children — all at highly competitive prices. A special emphasis is placed on UAE-made products to support local industries, alongside a wide variety of globally sourced merchandise. LOT's continued growth across the region underscores the rising demand for value-oriented shopping and aligns with LuLu's vision of operating 52 LOT stores by 2025. Also attending the launch event were Saifee Rupawala, CEO of Lulu Group; Ashraf Ali M A, executive director; Salim V I, COO and strategy officer; Anand A V, director of Lulu International Holdings; Mujeeb Rehman, director of buying; Abu Bakker, director for Abu Dhabi and Al Dhafra region; along with other senior LuLu officials.

Agentforce boosts Salesforce partner support, handling over 19,000 requests since inception
Agentforce boosts Salesforce partner support, handling over 19,000 requests since inception

Zawya

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  • Zawya

Agentforce boosts Salesforce partner support, handling over 19,000 requests since inception

Agentforce for Partner Community engages 120,000 monthly users Agentforce frees Salesforce partners to accelerate customer AI rollouts UAE - The rapid rise of agentic AI introduces an immense $6 trillion digital labor opportunity set to reshape and benefit the global technology ecosystem, including Salesforce partners and System Integrators (SIs). But it also presents challenges like complex infrastructure and data silos that leave many potential adopters unsure of how to begin or scale AI effectively. With their ability to identify and develop specific use cases for tailored and effective AI solutions, partners are a critical part of the front line of helping customers accelerate agent adoption and implementation. To support these vital implementations, Salesforce is investing in its partner ecosystem with innovative tools and resources. The latest investment includes Agentforce for Partner Community, an AI agent embedded in ‌Salesforce's Partner Community experience that provides 24/7 conversational support grounded in technical and program knowledge. Boosting partner efficiency with conversational AI Launched in late March 2025, Agentforce for Partner Community elevates Salesforce's service for partners of all sizes, allowing them to benefit from: Self-service access to information: The AI agent provides quick answers to common questions from Partner Community visitors, reducing the need to log cases and saving time searching for information. Tailored responses based on partner record: Because Agentforce is grounded in CRM data on Data Cloud, the agent will be able to provide instant insights, including personalized responses based on partner program level, scorecard data, benefits, certifications, and tiering — eliminating guesswork and saving time. 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Phil Samenuk, Salesforce's SVP of Global Alliances & Channels and Outsourcing Service Providers, said, 'Our partners are essential in helping CIOs and business leaders define AI strategies, assess organizational readiness, and create phased roadmaps for adoption. Agentforce for Partner Community is a critical part of Salesforce's broader vision to help partners lead in agentic AI adoption and delivery.' With training, workshops, an Agentforce Partner Guidebook, AI certifications, and opportunities to build their own agents, over 272,000 consultants working for Salesforce partners have completed AI certifications, and these consultants have built over 18,000 agents. Salesforce consulting partners have also launched new services tailored to help customers navigate agentic transformation with Agentforce. 'As companies increasingly turn to AI agents, the partnership ecosystem is crucial,' continued Samenuk. 'Through resources like Agentforce for Partner Community, Salesforce and its partners together are uniquely positioned to meet rising demands for digital labor and drive the next era of agent-first businesses.' Middle East perspective Mukesh Kumar, Regional VP of Alliances and Channels at Salesforce Middle East, said: 'Agentforce for Partner Community is a game changer for partners in the Middle East. The UAE, Saudi Arabia, plus the wider GCC and Egypt, are investing heavily in AI and are committed to becoming global leaders in the technology, with public and private sector organizations following their lead to stay ahead of the curve. Partners play a key role in this by helping customers identify AI use cases and then deploy the technology effectively. Agentforce for Partner Community is empowering partners in the Middle East with the information and tools they need to blaze a trail - enabling them to deliver the services customers require to win with agentic AI and digital labor.' More information: Learn about the launch of Agentforce 3 See new services from Salesforce consulting partners to help customers navigate agentic transformation with Agentforce Learn how Salesforce's open ecosystem is driving trusted agent interoperability Discover MCP partners who are contributing to open interoperability through AgentExchange Read how agentic AI is driving a new economy Read the AgentExchange announcement and check out AgentExchange Hear from industry experts on building agent-first businesses and the future of interoperability

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