logo
United Arab Bank Net Profit up by 50% for the First Half of 2025

United Arab Bank Net Profit up by 50% for the First Half of 2025

Web Release2 days ago
United Arab Bank Net Profit up by 50% for the First Half of 2025
United Arab Bank PJSC (UAB or 'the Bank') has announced its financial results for the six months ended 30th June 2025. UAB posted a net profit of AED 208 million for the first half of 2025, compared to AED 139 million for the same period last year, representing a 50% YoY increase. Total income rose by 24% YoY to AED 374 million.
The increase in net profit reflects significant growth in total assets—up 11% from December 2024—and the Bank's disciplined approach to risk management. UAB's balance sheet was further strengthened through a continued focus on asset quality and capital resilience.
These results underscore the Bank's solid momentum and strategic readiness for future growth.
H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Faisal bin Sultan Al Qassimi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of United Arab Bank, said: 'The Bank's exceptional financial performance in the first half of 2025 underscores the effectiveness of our strategic vision and the strength of our governance framework.
Looking ahead, we are unwavering in our commitment to advancing the UAE's economic agenda while creating enduring value for all stakeholders. We will continue to lead with discipline, resilience, and an uncompromising focus on innovation, digital transformation, and operational excellence.'
Shirish Bhide, Chief Executive Officer of United Arab Bank, said: 'Our first-half results reflect robust operational performance and the growing impact of our transformation agenda. The strong
growth in profitability and total assets highlights the success of our strategic execution and our unwavering focus on customer value, efficiency, and prudent risk-taking.'
He added: 'As we move forward, we will continue to scale our digital capabilities, introduce innovative products, and further strengthen our control environment—while keeping the customer at the center of everything we do.'
United Arab Bank is in the process of enhancing its capital by up to AED 1.03 billion through a Rights Issue offered to existing shareholders. This capital injection will increase the total share capital by up to AED 3.09 billion, subject to completion of the process and necessary regulatory approvals, strengthening the Bank's capital adequacy and enhance its resilience to any adverse macro-financial shocks, while enabling future asset growth towards achieving its strategic and financial goals.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Etihad Reaches Unprecedented 20 Million Passenger Landmark
Etihad Reaches Unprecedented 20 Million Passenger Landmark

Arabian Post

time11 hours ago

  • Arabian Post

Etihad Reaches Unprecedented 20 Million Passenger Landmark

Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Etihad Airways has surpassed the 20 million annual passenger mark for the first time, boosted by strong first-quarter profit and rising customer satisfaction. The airline's operating fleet now exceeds 100 aircraft as it intensifies its global expansion and pursues ambitious 2030 targets. Etihad posted a Q1 profit after tax of AED 685 million, a 30 per cent increase compared to the same period last year. Total revenue rose 15 per cent, supported by growth in both passenger and cargo operations. Passenger revenue alone increased by 16 per cent to AED 5.5 billion, reflecting stronger demand and enhanced flight frequency. The carrier flew 5 million passengers in the quarter, a 16 per cent jump year‑on‑year, with a solid load factor of 87 per cent. ADVERTISEMENT Over the past 12 months, Etihad has carried more than 20 million guests—doubling its annual passenger figures in just 30 months—and is now regarded as the fastest-growing airline in the region. Chief Executive Antonoaldo Neves described this milestone as evidence of 'sustained growth driven by expanding demand, a dynamic global network, and a clear strategic focus'. Customer satisfaction surged to record highs, with Q1 scores up 20 per cent versus a year ago. The airline attributed this to refreshed lounge and inflight menus, improved digital services, high-speed Wi‑Fi, and a revamped website and mobile app. Etihad's fleet currently comprises over 100 aircraft, including the return of its seventh Airbus A380 and the delivery of a Boeing 787‑9 with an Emirati crew, alongside its first of three Airbus A350‑1000s. A further 18 aircraft are expected in 2025, highlighted by the introduction of the A321LR narrow‑body fleet on 1 August, which will feature private First Suites, lie‑flat Business seats, 4K entertainment screens, and high‑speed Wi‑Fi across all cabins. The airline has added 27 new routes so far in 2025 and plans to operate nearly 90 destinations by year‑end. These network additions form part of Etihad's longer-term strategy to expand its global footprint to over 125 destinations and grow its fleet to more than 170 aircraft, with the aim of carrying 38 million passengers annually by 2030. Operational efficiency gains also strengthened Etihad's balance sheet. EBITDA rose 32 per cent to AED 1.4 billion, yielding a 21 per cent margin, while net leverage improved to 1.1×, down from 1.9× in March 2024. Cash flow from operations reached AED 1.8 billion, an 11 per cent improvement. These developments follow a broader resurgence at Etihad. The carrier turned around from consecutive annual losses of recent years to report a record USD 476 million profit in 2024, flying 18.5 million passengers that year—a 32 per cent increase—and generating revenue of nearly USD 6.9 billion. The Q1 results affirm progress in cost optimisation, network rationalisation and fleet modernisation initiated under CEO Neves since taking the helm in 2022 under Abu Dhabi sovereign fund ADQ. Looking ahead, Etihad plans to sustain delivery of 20-plus new aircraft annually, including further Boeing 787s and Airbus A350s, to meet projected demand. It is also preparing infrastructure and service upgrades connected to Abu Dhabi's Zayed International Airport, whose terminal expansion tripled annual capacity to 45 million passengers, reinforcing the city's role as a global hub. On the route front, 16 further destinations have been announced for 2025, complementing an already swift rollout of 27 new routes. The A321LR rollout from August will unlock First Class on single‑aisle sectors, with an upgraded passenger experience including concierge transfers, chauffeur services and luggage‑free travel in Abu Dhabi. Etihad's turnaround, driven by disciplined execution of its 'Journey 2030' strategy, has paid off. With record profits, growing customer satisfaction and a fleet age structure among the youngest globally, the airline is moving ahead of Gulf competitors as a stronger, customer‑centric global carrier.

Arada Eyes $500 Million Sukuk to Fuel Gulf Land Acquisitions
Arada Eyes $500 Million Sukuk to Fuel Gulf Land Acquisitions

Arabian Post

time11 hours ago

  • Arabian Post

Arada Eyes $500 Million Sukuk to Fuel Gulf Land Acquisitions

Arada Developments, the Sharjah-based property developer, is preparing to raise up to $500 million via an Islamic bond as it joins a wave of Gulf real estate firms turning to debt markets to fund expansion. The group plans to launch the issuance next week to finance new land purchases and capitalise on a construction surge across the United Arab Emirates. The proposed sukuk issue represents a strategic step for Arada to strengthen its position amid intensified regional economic diversification efforts and an escalating boom in property development across the UAE. With past sukuk issuances drawing strong demand, the company aims to repeat that success to secure favourable financing terms. Arada previously issued a $400 million sukuk in June 2024 under its $1 billion programme, followed by a $150 million tap in September that attracted an order book exceeding $1.45 billion. In September 2022, the firm also issued a benchmark $500 million debut sukuk, tightening from initial guidance and attracting strong investor interest. ADVERTISEMENT Regional corporate sukuk issuance has surged, offsetting a dip in sovereign debt. LSEG data show corporate bond and sukuk sales climbed 52% year‑on‑year in the GCC during the first five months of 2025, even as total issuance fell overall. UAE debt issuance grew in the first half of 2025, although green bond and sukuk volumes declined sharply. Within the UAE, developers such as Sobha Realty and Omniyat also issued $500 million sukuk in May, highlighting strong appetite in the Islamic finance market for real estate funding. The overall trend underlines a rising preference for sharia‑compliant financing instruments to support both corporate needs and state diversification agendas. Founded in 2017 by Sharjah's deputy ruler Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi and Saudi Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal Al Saud, Arada has rapidly scaled its presence in Sharjah and Dubai, launching developments valued at AED 60 billion and exploring international expansion into Australia. The company also plans to enter the Australian market fully by the end of 2025. Arada's prior promises to land acquisitions and project funding seem to extend with this latest sukuk. The proceeds will directly support the acquisition of new land parcels, ensuring the company can sustain its pipeline of projects including township developments, wellness‑focused residential schemes and branded hospitality offerings. The firm's decision to revert to debt markets follows its move early this month to seek approval for modifications to financial covenants on its existing $500 million trust certificates due 2027. Arada sought to raise leverage limits—net indebtedness to equity and EBITDA ratios—from current 1.5:1 and 3.0:1 to 2.0:1 and 4.0:1 respectively—prompting a consent solicitation that attracted strong holder engagement. A meeting on July 23 in London will finalise this vote. While global uncertainties—from oil price swings to geopolitical tensions—have weighed on capital markets, Gulf property developers have continued to tap sukuk issuance to spread costs and manage growth. Analysts argue that solid investor interest, particularly from Asia, sovereign wealth diversification and the Emirates' push into non‑oil sectors have sustained this demand.

G20 finance chiefs back central banks' independence as they seal communique
G20 finance chiefs back central banks' independence as they seal communique

Zawya

timea day ago

  • Zawya

G20 finance chiefs back central banks' independence as they seal communique

Finance chiefs from the Group of 20 countries stressed the importance of central bank independence in a communique issued on Friday following a two-day meeting in South Africa's coastal city of Durban. The ministers and central bankers pledged to boost cooperation as they sealed their first communique since October 2024, a month before President Donald Trump's election victory and subsequent tariff war. The issue of central bank independence hung heavily over the meeting following Trump's repeated berating of U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell for not cutting interest rates, attacks that have roiled global financial markets. The communique was reached in the absence of U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent from the two-day meeting, though Washington was represented by Michael Kaplan, acting under secretary of the Treasury for international affairs. Bessent also skipped the previous G20 finance chiefs' gathering in Cape Town in February, even though Washington is due to assume the G20's rotating presidency in December. "Central banks are strongly committed to ensuring price stability, consistent with their respective mandates, and will continue to adjust their policies in a data-dependent manner. Central bank independence is crucial to achieving this goal," the communique said. South Africa's deputy finance minister David Masondo told reporters that the meeting outcomes contained in the communique were "consented to by all members" and centred on "strategic macroeconomic issues". The communique also recognised "the importance of the World Trade Organisation to advance trade issues", while adding the body needed reform. The agreement is seen as an achievement even though communiques issued by the G20, which emerged as a forum for cooperation to combat the 2008 global financial crisis, are non-binding. G20 finance ministers failed to reach a joint stance when they met in February, to the dismay of hosts South Africa. South Africa, under its presidency's motto "Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability", has aimed to promote an African agenda, with topics including the high cost of capital and funding for climate change action. The finance ministers and central bank governors said in Friday's communique that they were committed to addressing debt vulnerabilities in low- and middle-income countries in an effective, comprehensive and systematic manner. (Reporting by Olivia Kumwenda-Mtambo, Kopano Gumbi, Colleen Goko, Philip Blenkinsop, Maria Martinez in Durban and Andrea Shalal in Washington; Writing by Philip Blenkinsop and Emelia Sithole-Matarise; Editing by Rachna Uppal and Joe Bavier)

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store