Mastercard and FAB give UAE cardholders a chance to win Messi memorabilia. * home | * Mastercard and FAB give UAE cardholders a chance to win Messi memorabilia. Mastercard and FAB launch Messi memorabilia campaign for UAE cardholders. Mastercard and First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) have rolled out a football-themed rewards campaign for UAE cardholders, linking everyday payments to exclusive experiences and Lionel Messi memorabilia. The collaboration leverages Messi's global appeal as a Mastercard ambassador to deepen customer engagement and expand the value proposition of card-based rewards. Campaign details. Selected FAB Mastercard cardholders participated in a Messi-themed game connected to the football legend, with the chance to win rare memorabilia. The experience ran on Mastercard's Priceless platform and drew on FAB's Rewards program, the Mastercard network, and the banks' sports sponsorships. Both companies described the initiative as a step toward tying card spending more closely to individual customer interests and passions. Industry executives described the campaign as part of a broader shift in UAE loyalty programs. Rather than traditional points, rewards are increasingly centered on access and exclusive experiences. Gina Petersen-Skyrme, senior vice president and country manager for the UAE and Oman at Mastercard, said, "Through our collaboration with FAB, we are bringing the excitement of football and the global appeal of Lionel Messi closer to cardholders in the UAE, creating exclusive experiences that turn everyday payments into priceless moments." Product and experience enhancements. The campaign builds upon FAB's Rewards Active Mastercard credit card, underscoring the emphasis on an active lifestyle. A distinctive feature of the campaign is within the FAB app, where users can view a virtual version of their card that includes a moving image of Messi. The developers describe this as a first-of-its-kind feature worldwide, designed to translate the aspirational appeal of football into tangible, card-linked experiences. Strategic focus. By combining the Mastercard Priceless platform with FAB's rewards ecosystem and high-profile sports sponsorships, the initiative aims to reposition loyalty programs from simple point accrual to immersive, branded experiences. The campaign reflects a strategic push toward meaningful, lifestyle-aligned rewards that resonate with customers' interests beyond traditional cashback or points accrual. Industry analysis. Industry observers view this campaign as indicative of a broader trend in the UAE and wider Middle East toward experiential loyalty. The shift from points-centric rewards to access-based benefits could encourage deeper brand loyalty and higher card spend in targeted segments. Partnerships with globally recognized brands and athletes, combined with immersive in-app features, may set a new benchmark for how banks differentiate their products in a competitive market. However, the approach also entails considerations for cost management and inclusivity. While exclusive experiences can boost engagement, banks must balance high-value campaigns with sustainable customer acquisition and retention strategies. The integration of dynamic digital assets - such as a live Messi visual within the FAB app - highlights the potential for fintechs and banks to blend entertainment with financial products, potentially driving higher app adoption and cross-sell opportunities. Overall, Mastercard and FAB's Messi memorabilia initiative signals a notable shift in loyalty design toward experiences and access, reinforcing the role of strategic partnerships and digital-enabled personalization in shaping the next generation of card-based rewards.

AED 12.9 billion net profit for First Abu Dhabi Bank in 9 months AED 16.46 billion net profit for First Abu Dhabi Bank in 9 months Abu Dhabi, 29 October / WAM / First Abu Dhabi Bank recorded net profit of AED 16.46 billion, an increase of 3% during the first nine months of the current year compared with the same period in 2025. The group's operating revenues rose by 7% compared with the same period last year to reach AED 29.71 billion, while profit before tax rose by 5% to reach AED 20.22 billion. The bank maintained the momentum of its strong performance during the third quarter, with profit before tax rising by 9% compared with the same period last year to reach AED 7.01 billion, supported by continued strong activity across business sectors, strong revenue generation, and cost management discipline. Growth included various balance sheet items, as loans and advances grew by 10% year-to-date to reach AED 679 billion, while customer deposits increased by 5% to reach AED 885 billion. Total assets reached AED 1.47 trillion, representing an increase of 7% since the beginning of the year. Net interest income rose by 11% compared with the same period last year to reach AED 16.98 billion, driven by growth in business volumes and improved profit margins. Non-interest income increased by 3% to reach AED 12.73 billion, contributing 43% of the group's total operating revenues. Operating profit rose by 8% compared with the same period last year to reach AED 23.32 billion, reflecting the diversity of the bank's revenue sources and its continued discipline in cost management. Asset quality remained solid, with the non-performing loan ratio declining to 2.1% compared with 2.6% a year earlier. The bank maintained strong levels of capital and liquidity exceeding regulatory requirements by a good margin. The common equity tier 1 ratio rose to 14.0%, while the liquidity coverage ratio reached 140% at the end of September 2026. First Abu Dhabi Bank continues to maintain credit ratings at the 'AA-' level or equivalent from Moody's, Fitch, and Standard & Poor's, with a stable outlook. Hana Al Rostamani, Group Chief Executive Officer of First Abu Dhabi Bank, said that the bank's performance during the first nine months of 2026 reinforced the strength of its business and its success in executing its strategy with steadiness and efficiency, as the group's operating revenues rose by 7% compared with last year to reach AED 29.71 billion, while profit before tax exceeded the AED 20 billion barrier. Return on tangible equity reached 18.6%, significantly surpassing its medium-term targets. This performance reflects the sustainable growth witnessed across the bank's business sectors, based on the strength of its diversified business system, the breadth of its operations, and the continued strengthening of its global presence. She added that the next phase of growth in the UAE offers promising opportunities, driven by ambitious investment programs, economic diversification, and enhanced integration into global markets. First Abu Dhabi Bank enjoys a unique position enabling it to support these ambitions, benefiting from its business size, structuring expertise, international network to finance strategic sectors, and opening global opportunity horizons for its clients. Lars Kramer, Group Chief Financial Officer of First Abu Dhabi Bank, said that the bank continued to achieve strong financial performance during the third quarter of 2026, with operating profit rising by 11% compared with last year, driven by continued growth across business sectors, revenue strength, and leading operational efficiency at the banking sector level. Profitability margins remained resilient, with the net interest margin reaching 1.93%, up 5 basis points compared with last year, supported by the diversity of our business activities and the structural advantages we enjoy in financing. He added that the bank's high-quality deposit base, along with its broad ability to access global capital markets, contributed to maintaining its discipline in pricing banking products and services despite competitive market challenges. The bank's recent issuance of AED 1 billion in digitally native green bonds also strengthened its financing capabilities, in line with its focus on financial innovation. He affirmed that sustainability continues to occupy a central place in the bank's strategy, as it strengthened its leadership in sustainable finance by setting a target of AED 100 billion for blue finance, becoming the first bank in the Middle East and North Africa to sign the United Nations Principles for Sustainable Blue Economy Finance, and affirming its commitment to supporting sustainable growth. * Economy * United Arab Emirates (ARE) * First Abu Dhabi Bank The news is also available in the following languages:

ECI, FAB, Natixis CIB and HSBC, renew, expand support for Trafigura to advance UAE-origin commodity exports. WAM 27 Oct 2026, 18:03 GMT+ ABU DHABI, 27th October, 2026 (WAM) - Etihad Credit Insurance (ECI), the UAE Federal export credit company, in collaboration with Natixis Corporate & Investment Banking (Natixis CIB), First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB), and HSBC Bank Middle East Limited, has signed a joint agreement to renew and expand its support for the procurement of UAE-origin commodities by Trafigura, a market leader in the global commodities industry. The renewed agreement extends ECI's support for a further two years and broadens the scope of eligible trade flows to include the exports of any non-hydrocarbon related products of UAE origin from the UAE. Under the renewed arrangement, Trafigura will benefit from a USD 150 million revolving credit facility, with ECI providing credit insurance support of up to USD 100 million. The two-year financing facility will facilitate the procurement of eligible UAE-origin commodities, supporting their movement into international markets and reinforcing the UAE's position as a global trading and re-export hub. The renewed facility also sees HSBC Bank Middle East Limited join the Mandated Lead Arranger consortium alongside Natixis CIB and FAB, with Natixis CIB acting as Facility Coordinator, Bookrunner and ECA agent bank. The renewed arrangement builds on ECI's support for Trafigura under the previous 2024-2026 policy. The expanded scope represents a continuation of ECI's support while broadening the facility to cover a wider range of UAE-origin non-oil exports. Haitham Al Khazaleh, Director of Underwriting at Etihad Credit Insurance, said: "The renewal and expansion of its support for Trafigura reflects ECI's commitment to enabling UAE-origin exports through effective credit risk mitigation and innovative trade finance solutions. By providing credit insurance support for this facility, Middle East News is helping financial institutions manage risks while facilitating access to financing for a broader range of non-oil commodities. This renewed collaboration demonstrates the important role of export credit insurance in strengthening trade partnerships, supporting the UAE's economic diversification ambitions and connecting UAE businesses with international markets." James Murphy-O'Connor, Trafigura's Head of ECA Finance, said: "We are delighted to be renewing and expanding our ECI-backed facilities, underscoring our commitment to connecting commodities from the United Arab Emirates with global markets. By linking producers in the UAE with consumers around the world, we are supporting the growth of the UAE's commodity sector and meeting rising demand for materials through building reliable, diversified supply chains." Matthieu Jamin, Head of Global Trade ME, Turkey & CCA, Natixis CIB, said: "Natixis CIB is pleased to continue its partnership with Etihad Credit Insurance in supporting Trafigura through the renewal and expansion of this trade financing facility. Building on our longstanding partnership with ECI and our collaboration with FAB and HSBC, this renewed agreement reflects our shared commitment to facilitating trade flows and supporting the UAE's strategic vision of expanding non-oil exports. We are proud to continue being a trusted partner of ECI, drawing on our extensive experience and expertise in structuring and managing ECI-covered financing solutions." Alexei Rybakov, Head of Export Finance, MENAT, HSBC said: "HSBC is pleased to partner with ECI in supporting the renewal of this important trade-related finance facility for Trafigura. The transaction demonstrates the value of bringing together export credit and banking expertise to facilitate the movement of UAE-origin commodities into global markets. As the UAE continues to diversify its non-oil trade and strengthen its role in global supply chains, HSBC is well positioned to leverage its international network and export finance capabilities to support businesses and help connect the UAE with key markets worldwide." The transaction underscores the importance of collaboration between export credit institutions and commercial banks in facilitating trade finance for UAE-origin goods. Natixis CIB, FAB, and HSBC bring their respective international banking capabilities to the renewed facility, while ECI's credit insurance support helps mitigate defined credit risks associated with the financing. The renewed arrangement is aligned with ECI's mandate to support the growth and international competitiveness of the UAE's non-oil economy. By facilitating financing for UAE-origin commodities destined for overseas markets, ECI continues to support the country's ambitions to deepen international trade relationships and strengthen its position as a global hub for trade, logistics and re-export activity.