Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank: Powering Abu Dhabi’s Next Phase of Economic Growth
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President of the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council Danny Sebright; Group Chief Corporate, Wealth, & Investment Banking Officer at ADCB Ludovic Nobili; Consul General at the U.A.E. Consulate General in New York H.E. Amna Almheiri; Chief Economist at ADCB Monica Malik; and Executive Head of International Corporate Banking at ADCB Asif Karmally

“Today, we explore the role of Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank in the diversification and financing of Abu Dhabi, enabling American businesses to pursue investment opportunities in the U.A.E.,” said H.E. Amna Almheiri, Consul General at the U.A.E. Consulate General in New York.

The U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council hosted a private luncheon on Monday, October 20th, 2025, at the St. Regis Hotel in New York, featuring senior executives from Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB) — Ludovic Nobili, Group Chief Corporate, Wealth & Investment Banking Officer, Monica Malik, Chief Economist, and Asif Karmally, Executive Head of International Corporate Banking.

“The U.A.E. is in the sweet spot between its capital reserves and strong political will to reform its economy,” said Monica Malik, Chief Economist at ADCB. Ms. Malik contextualized the conversation by providing a macro-economic view of the U.A.E. and its investment landscape.

  • The U.A.E. remains resilient amid global economic uncertainty, tariffs, and fluctuating oil prices, with a laser focus on its continued diversification plans.
  • The U.A.E.’s enjoyed 5.3% non-oil GDP growth in Q1 2025, driven by sustained government investment in high-growth sectors such as technology, healthcare and life sciences, energy, and advanced manufacturing.
  • Despite global trade fragmentation, the U.A.E. serves as a conduit of international trade with imports significantly higher and exports continuing to flow through to Asia and Africa, reinforced by Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements (CEPAs) with 27 countries.
  • Population growth is further strengthening the U.A.E.’s economy, supporting consumer spending and retail lending.

What it means: Amid fears of global economic downturn, the U.A.E.’s economy is poised to remain resilient, cementing the country as a global investment destination and key player in international trade flows.

ADCB: A Strategic Partner in Abu Dhabi’s Rise as a Global Financial Hub

“ADCB’s growth is predicated on a client centric approach together with digitization,” said Ludovic Nobili, Group Chief Corporate, Wealth & Investment Banking Officer at ADCB. Mr. Nobili’s remarks addressed ADCB’s role in the Abu Dhabi ecosystem and the bank’s distinctive client offerings.

1. A Key Partner to Abu Dhabi

  • ADCB’s government ownership links the bank closely to the Abu Dhabi ecosystem – from major institutions like Mubadala, ADQ, and ADIA to smaller, lesser-known players actively deploying capital. Mubadala owns over 60% of ADCB.
  • ADCB is financing growth in energy transition, advanced manufacturing, and digital infrastructure, helping position Abu Dhabi as the region’s “Capital of Capital.”
  • ADCB partners closely with Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), which provides regulatory clarity and flexibility for firms to deploy capital and solutions.

2. More Than a Bank

  • ADCB leverages its proven securitization track record to lend to a network spanning over 100 relationships with financial and non-financial institutions, as well as commodity traders.
  • In addition to corporate banking, ADCB offers robust capabilities with full support teamsacross financial markets solutions, private banking and retail franchises, and comprehensive services in advisory, underwriting, and structured finance.
  • ADCB also focuses on offering private wealth and investment banking services to the influx of ultra-high-net-worth clients and family offices to Abu Dhabi.

“We encourage you to think of us beyond being a good banking partner as an introducer and enabler into the U.A.E. ecosystem,” said Asif Karmally, Executive Head of International Corporate Banking at ADCB.

What’s Next: ADCB – and Abu Dhabi’s broader financial ecosystem – will be on display at ADGM’s upcomingAbu Dhabi Finance Week 2025, of which the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council is a proud supporter.

Read the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council’s spotlight report on ADCB here. To learn more about the U.A.E.’s fast-evolving capital landscape, please consult the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council and Morgan Lewis’s Guide to Doing Business in the U.A.E. To learn more about the Business Council’s finance programming, please contact Caitlin Cottrell at ccottrell@usuaebusiness.org.