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First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) issued a USD 1 bn perpetual Additional Tier 1 bond with a six-year non-call period, according to a disclosure to the bourse (pdf). FAB said the funds would strengthen its capital position and support its long-term growth strategy.
SOUND SMART- AT1 bonds are a common way for banks to raise core tier-one capital without diluting shareholders by issuing new equity. Additional tier one certificates are a type of subordinated debt, meaning they rank below other types of bank debt in the event of liquidation. This makes them riskier than senior debt, but still gives them priority over equity holders. AT1 certificates are “perpetual,” having no fixed maturity date. They pay interest similarly to bonds, but can often be converted into equity under certain conditions, which is why they are often referred to as CoCos, short for “contingent convertibles,” in the industry.
The bond was priced at 5.875%, well below the initial guidance of 6.375-6.5%, marking the lowest yield for a CEEMEA conventional USD AT1 transaction since May 2021. Closing this issuance at this rate “in a period of market softness and elevated regional supply demonstrates the strength of FAB’s credit and the depth of investor confidence in the bank,” said FAB Group Treasurer Felix Green.
Investor demand was huge, with orders topping USD 3.3 bn, more than three times the size of the offer, and marking the largest orderbook on record for a UAE bank issuing an AT1 bond, and the largest for a GCC AT1 issuance this year. The book was global, covering Europe, MENA, the US, and Asia-Pacific.
Market reax: The lender’s stock declined 1.5% to AED 15.8 at yesterday’s close.
REMEMBER- AT1 issuance hit a new high of USD 8.45 bn in 2025, up from a total of USD 5.6 bn last year, Fitch said recently, adding that the momentum will likely continue due to favorable pricing and the benefit they have on bank’s coffers. Emirates NBD, Rakbank, and Sharjah Islamic Bank are among those who issued AT1 notes this year.
ADVISORS- Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, Barclays, Emirates NBD Capital, Standard Chartered Bank, and FAB are joint lead managers and bookrunners on the transaction, Zawya reported earlier.
