Page 63 - AAE PR REPORT - SEPTEMBER 2025

Office (ADIO) demonstrates its commitment to developing local talent and contributing to the
UAE’s knowledge economy.
Bank of the Year – First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB)

First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) has continued to deliver impact and sustainable value, achieving new
highs in the first half of 2025. The group’s operating income rose by 16% year-on-year to AED 18.31
billion and net profits exceeded AED 10 billion. This marked the first time in any half-year period.
Additionally, FAB achieved double-digit momentum across Investment Banking, Wholesale, and
Personal, Business, Wealth & Privileged Client Banking (PBW&PC). Furthermore, FAB stands out for
its market-leading AI and digital transformation initiatives, which offer convenience, efficiency, and
security for clients. These include generative AI (Agentic AI, Microsoft 365 Copilot). FAB has also
maintained AA-level credit and ESG ratings, which highlight the bank’s reputation for resilience,
governance, and its future-focused strategy.
Fintech company of the year – Astra Tech

Astra Tech has rewritten the rulebook for what a fintech company can be – even in a rapidly evolving
digital economy. Since acquiring Botim in late 2022, Astra Tech has turned Botim from a once-
simple VoIP platform into a popular regional digital lifestyle superapp that integrates core fintech
offerings directly into the daily routines of millions. Botim has over 150 million registered users and
an active user base across 155 countries. Botim AI is also the first conversational finance assistant
embedded into a mainstream communications app. Astra Tech is the first fintech platform in the
UAE to integrate the Aani instant payment system – a Central Bank of the UAE initiative for real-time
peer-to-peer payments. Astra Tech’s impact on the Middle East’s finance sector is multi-
dimensional, with inclusive services across demographics.
Finance innovation of the year – Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX)

The Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) stands out for many reasons, from its size and the depth
of the exchange’s liquidity. As the largest in the UAE and the second-largest exchange in the MENA
region, the ADX benefits from high daily turnover and strong international participation. In February
2025, the ADX launched the ADX Group and a new business model to transform and future-proof its
thriving capital market, advancing Abu Dhabi’s investment landscape. This included introducing the
new Post Trade division, comprising Abu Dhabi Clearing (AD Clear) and Abu Dhabi Central
Securities Depository (AD CSD). The ADX has consistently outperformed the MSCI Emerging
Markets Index by growing 86% over the past five years. In the past decade, the ADX has more than
doubled (118.1%) while the MSCI Emerging Markets Index, by comparison, only increased by more
than a fifth (21.8%).
Insurance company of the year – Zurich International Life Middle East

Zurich International Life Middle East stands out for combining strong business performance with
deep community impact, Zurich goes beyond innovation, with access, education, and empathy
being core focus points to make complex financial topics relatable to customers. Community
wellbeing, combined with its digital-first strategy have led to a significant impact, the Zurich
Advisory Network (ZAN), Zurich’s proprietary advisory channel, has 5x growth in three years, with
over 120 advisors, now Zurich’s largest distribution channel in Dubai. What’s more, it is capable of
scaling and plans are in place to move into other Emirates and into the GCC. The ZWS and DEWS
Zurich Workplace Solutions (ZWS) continues to drive systemic change as administrator of the DIFC
Employee Workplace Savings (DEWS) plan. In early 2025, 68,000+ employees were enrolled in the

https://www.financemiddleeast.com/features/finance-middle-east-awards-2025-winners/