Another Big U.A.E. Bank Is Considering a Merger

(Bloomberg) -- Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank PJSC is weighing strategic options for its business, including a potential merger, according to people with knowledge of the matter.

The United Arab Emirates’ second-biggest Islamic lender is in early talks with financial advisers about measures such as combining with a larger entity or buying a smaller institution, said the people, asking not to be identified as the discussions are private.

Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank would prefer to acquire another lender rather than being taken over, two of the people said. A formal process hasn’t started and talks may not result in a deal, the people said. Senior executives at Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank weren’t immediately available for comment.

Read More: UAE Banks Are Positioned for Further Growth and Consolidation

Abu Dhabi, home to about 6 percent of global oil reserves, is stepping up efforts to create leaner and more competitive banks after a slump in crude prices. Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank PJSC is in the process of merging with Union National Bank PJSC and Al Hilal Bank after a tie-up between Abu Dhabi’s two biggest banks in 2017. With about 50 lenders competing in a market of about 9 million people, smaller banks are coming under pressure.

Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank was "the only entity that was left behind in the mega mergers, and now that it is considering a merger, the options are limited," said Joice Mathew, the head of equity research at United Securities in Muscat. "The cost of regulatory compliance is also on the rise for financial institutions, and size does matter there. Consolidation could be a winning proposition for all."

Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank has about $34 billion in assets and a market value of $4.2 billion. In November, it got approval to allow foreigners to own up to 25 percent of its shares, which have gained 10 percent this year.

The bank plans to hire former Credit Agricole SA banker Mazin Manna to replace acting Chief Executive Officer Khamis Buharoon, people familiar with the plans said in December.

--With assistance from Arif Sharif.

To contact the reporters on this story: Archana Narayanan in Dubai at anarayanan16@bloomberg.net;Dinesh Nair in London at dnair5@bloomberg.net;Matthew Martin in Dubai at mmartin128@bloomberg.net

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Stefania Bianchi at sbianchi10@bloomberg.net, Shaji Mathew

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