FAB Mortgage

Three practical reasons. First, FAB has multiple product variants — Conventional vs FAB Islamic Real Estate Finance, Mass vs FAB Elite segment, Fresh purchase vs Buyout (where FAB waives the 1.05% processing fee entirely), fixed vs variable vs combination rate structures — and the right pricing tier for your profile is not always visible from the public website. Second, as a panel broker we submit applications through dedicated channels with pre-screened completeness, which typically produces faster turnaround than retail submissions. Third, we are fee-free to the borrower — our commission is paid by FAB on successful completion. For borrowers wanting to compare FAB against other panel lenders, going through us means a single documentation package serves both the FAB application and (if FAB is not the best fit) applications to alternative providers (ENBD, HSBC, Mashreq, ADIB, DIB).

First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) is the UAE’s largest bank by assets — formed by the April 2017 merger of National Bank of Abu Dhabi (NBAD) and First Gulf Bank (FGB). FAB is government-linked through Mubadala Investment Company’s stake and is consistently recognised as "Safest Bank in UAE" and among the "Safest Banks in Emerging Markets" by Global Finance magazine. For UAE home finance specifically, FAB has several distinctive panel positions: counterparty strength that matters for UHNW buyers (largest UAE balance sheet, sovereign-linked); zero processing fee on buyout/refinance loans (unique on panel — 1.05% waived entirely); both Conventional and FAB Islamic Real Estate Finance under one umbrella; dedicated FAB Elite segment with waived processing fees via Multi Product Package; and FREE 1 instalment deferral per year on the FAB Islamic variant.

Per FAB’s current Key Facts Statement (June 2025 version), the standard maximum mortgage facility is <strong>AED 20 million</strong> for both FAB Conventional and FAB Islamic Real Estate Finance. This is lower than ADIB (AED 30M), ENBD (AED 25M standard), but above Mashreq (AED 15M). For FAB Private Banking clients (typically USD 5M+ AUM qualification), loans above AED 20M are available via bespoke underwriting on a case-by-case basis — FAB’s balance sheet size and Private Banking appetite make this a realistic route for very high-value acquisitions, but these are structured deals outside the standard product. If your target loan is between AED 20M and AED 30M and you don’t qualify for Private Banking tier, ADIB’s AED 30M panel cap may be the more straightforward route.

FAB’s current Multi Product Package (June 2025 version) sets a minimum monthly income requirement of <strong>AED 10,000</strong> for package qualification — bringing FAB in line with ADIB on entry threshold. Standard mortgage underwriting typically expects AED 15,000+ monthly salary for Expats. FAB Elite tier requires AED 25,000+ monthly salary or AED 1M+ assets under management with FAB. FAB Private Banking typically requires USD 5M+ AUM. Self-employed applicants require minimum annual turnover (industry standard AED 3M+). Minimum age at application: 21 years. Maximum age at maturity: 70 years UAE Nationals / 65 years Expats. UAE residents and non-UAE residents are both eligible (per the KFS). The FAB Emirati Islamic Credit Card variant is specifically available for UAE Nationals under FAB Islamic.

Per the current KFS, FAB offers three rate structures: <strong>Fixed</strong> (rate stays fixed through the specified period, typically 1-5 years), <strong>Variable</strong> (based on <strong>3-Month EIBOR + FAB margin</strong>, drops or rises in line with EIBOR movements, subject to a minimum rate defined by the Bank), or <strong>Combination</strong> (fixed for an initial period, then stepping to variable). The KFS worked example shows: fixed 1.99% for year 1, then 2.59% (3M EIBOR + 1.99%) for next 9 years. Note: this specific example dates from May 2022 and current rates are higher. Interest is calculated using the reducing-balance method on a monthly basis, in line with UAE Central Bank guidelines. Current promotional starting rate is marketed from 3.99%. For your profile-specific rate (which depends on income, employment status, type of loan, credit score, salary transfer status, and segment tier), see our <a href="/uae-mortgage-rates/">UAE Mortgage Rates page</a> for the live panel position, and we confirm the exact FAB offer at scoping.

Yes — and this is one of FAB’s most materially distinctive panel features for refinance customers. Per the current KFS: "Processing Fee: 1.05% of Loan Amount (subject to a minimum of AED 5,250/- for new loans & top-up of existing loans). <strong>Not applicable to buyout loans (i.e., a loan to refinance another bank’s loan).</strong>" The same waiver applies to FAB Islamic Real Estate Finance buyout. For a borrower refinancing a AED 2 million mortgage from another panel lender to FAB, this is an AED 21,000 saving (1.05% of AED 2M including VAT) vs most other panel lenders who charge the full processing fee on buyout. For borrowers currently paying above-market rates on an older mortgage and considering refinance, FAB’s zero-processing-fee buyout materially changes the breakeven math vs other panel refinance options.

FAB offers a <strong>first-instalment grace period</strong> that varies by residency and loan type, extending the gap between drawdown and your first instalment payment. Per the current KFS: <strong>UAE Nationals Buyout cases: maximum 180 days</strong> from loan disbursal (longest on panel). UAE Nationals Fresh purchase + Top-Up: maximum 90 days. <strong>Expats Buyout cases: 90-120 days</strong>. Expats Fresh purchase: maximum 60 days (90 days for investment loans). Important to understand: this is a first-instalment deferral, NOT a mid-loan payment holiday. Interest/profit accumulates from day 1 of disbursal, so your monthly EMI is slightly higher to absorb the accumulated interest. KFS illustration (AED 1.5M loan, 10-year tenor): EMI without grace = AED 16,278.94; with 180-day grace = AED 16,569.01 (~AED 290 higher per month). The 180-day UAE National buyout grace is a significant transition benefit for borrowers refinancing from another lender while coordinating a cashflow transition.

FAB Islamic is FAB’s Shari’ah-compliant banking division (equivalent to ENBD’s Emirates Islamic subsidiary). FAB Islamic Real Estate Finance uses two Shari’ah structures approved by FAB’s Internal Shariah Supervision Committee: <strong>Ijarah Muntahiyah bil-Tamleek</strong> (lease ending in ownership) for completed properties — FAB purchases the property from the seller and leases it to you under an agreed rental, with ownership transferring at the end of the lease term; and <strong>Ijarah Mawsufah Muntahiyah bil-Tamleek + Istisnaa’</strong> for under-construction properties — FAB engages the developer under Istisnaa’ construction contract, then leases the completed property under forward Ijara. Rental payment has two components: Fixed Rental (principal) and Variable Rental (profit, based on 3M EIBOR movements). Same AED 20M facility cap, same 85%/80% LTV, same 1.05% processing fee (also waived on buyout), with one specific Islamic edge: <strong>FREE 1 instalment deferral per year</strong> (vs AED 105 per deferral on Conventional) — useful for customers with lumpy annual income cycles.

FAB has segmented customer tiers with progressively enhanced service and pricing: <strong>FAB Mass</strong> — default retail segment, requires AED 10,000+ monthly income for Multi Product Package qualification. <strong>FAB Elite</strong> — preferred/affluent segment, typically AED 25,000+ monthly salary or AED 1M+ AUM with FAB. Elite customers accessing the Multi Product Package with Home Loan get: Annual Member Fees Waiver on credit card (first year), waived mortgage processing fees, and 1,000 gold draw entries (vs 200 for Mass Expat / 400 for Mass Emirati). <strong>FAB Private</strong> — UHNW private banking tier, typical qualification USD 5M+ assets under management, provides fully bespoke mortgage structuring, loan amounts above the standard AED 20M panel ceiling, cross-collateralisation with investment portfolios, and preferential pricing. For UHNW buyers with existing international wealth management relationships, FAB Private is one of the panel’s most capable UHNW mortgage providers (alongside HSBC Private and ENBD Private Banking).

Per the current FAB KFS (June 2025 version), the full fee schedule is: <strong>Processing Fee</strong> 1.05% of loan amount (min AED 5,250) — ZERO on buyout/refinance from another bank. <strong>Instalment Late Payment Fee</strong> 2.10% of principal balance (min AED 52.5, max AED 210). <strong>Early Settlement Fee</strong> 1.05% of principal balance (max AED 10,500) — matches UAE Central Bank regulatory cap. <strong>Partial Settlement Fee</strong> 1.05% of amount prepaid (max AED 10,500) — note this is a fee-per-partial-payment approach, different from banks that offer 25-30% free partial per year. <strong>Life Insurance</strong> 0.0112% (ADNIC) / 0.0132% (Noor Takaful) / 0.0140% (Salama) per month on outstanding balance. <strong>Property Insurance</strong> 0.0525% of property value per annum. <strong>Instalment Deferral Fee</strong> AED 105 per deferral (Conventional) — FREE 1 deferral per year on FAB Islamic. <strong>Rescheduling Fee</strong> AED 3,150. <strong>Loan Cancellation Fee</strong> AED 105 (after cooling-off expiry, pre-advance). <strong>Property Swaps Administration Fee</strong> AED 1,386 (includes valuation). All charges inclusive of VAT at 5%. Separate from FAB fees: Dubai Land Department transfer fees (4% of property value) and NOC fees from the developer.

This is one point where FAB is less favourable than most panel competitors and worth flagging honestly. Per the current KFS, FAB charges a <strong>1.05% partial settlement fee</strong> on every prepayment (capped at AED 10,500) — so each time you make a lump-sum overpayment, you pay this fee. Most other UAE panel lenders operate differently: they offer a free partial payment allowance per year (ADIB and DIB offer 30%, HSBC 25%, ENBD 20%) and only charge the regulatory fee for overpayments ABOVE that threshold. For borrowers who expect to make regular lump-sum overpayments throughout the finance life (bonus-cycle overpayments, business distributions, inheritance), the ADIB/DIB/HSBC/ENBD free-threshold structure is typically more borrower-friendly than FAB’s per-prepayment fee. For a borrower planning to pay off the loan more conventionally through standard monthly EMIs without frequent lump-sum overpayments, this difference is immaterial. We flag this at scoping based on your expected cashflow pattern.

Yes. Per the KFS: "UAE residents and non-UAE residents are eligible to apply" for both FAB Conventional and FAB Islamic Real Estate Finance. Non-resident LTV is typically capped at 50-65% depending on nationality and product variant (lower than resident LTV of 80% expat / 85% UAE National). Non-resident customers face higher interest/profit rates than residents (panel-standard pricing differential 50-100 bps) and typically more documentation requirements (income verification from home jurisdiction, home-country credit checks, source-of-funds documentation). FAB Islamic Non-Resident Real Estate Finance is particularly useful for GCC nationals from Saudi, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain wanting Shari’ah-compliant UAE property finance. For non-residents wanting the highest-LTV option on panel, Mashreq’s up to 65% FTV may be sharper; we compare at scoping.

FAB is typically the strongest UAE panel option for: (1) <strong>Buyout / refinance customers</strong> — zero processing fee on buyout is unique on panel, materially changes refinance breakeven math; (2) <strong>UHNW buyers</strong> wanting the UAE’s largest-balance-sheet counterparty — "Safest Bank in UAE" recognition matters for premium property acquisitions; (3) <strong>UAE Nationals doing buyout</strong> — 180-day first-instalment grace period on buyout (longest on panel) + zero processing fee + strong Abu Dhabi UAE National segment relationship; (4) <strong>Buyers wanting conventional AND Islamic access</strong> — FAB Conventional + FAB Islamic under same umbrella; (5) <strong>FAB Elite / FAB Private existing customers</strong> — Multi Product Package waives processing fees + Annual Member Fees on credit card + gold draw entries; (6) <strong>FAB Islamic customers wanting annual free deferral flexibility</strong> — 1 free deferral per year on FAB Islamic (vs AED 105 per deferral on Conventional); (7) <strong>Loans above AED 20M</strong> — FAB Private handles above-cap deals via bespoke underwriting. We assess fit at scoping and compare FAB against the broader panel.

Honest flags where another panel lender typically fits better than FAB: (1) <strong>Loans above AED 20M (without Private Banking qualification)</strong> — ADIB’s AED 30M standard panel cap is more straightforward route for borrowers not meeting FAB Private USD 5M+ AUM threshold. (2) <strong>UAE Nationals under the MBRHE scheme</strong> — DIB offers ZERO profit rate on amounts up to AED 1,000,000 for MBRHE participants, which FAB cannot match. (3) <strong>Borrowers expecting frequent partial lump-sum overpayments</strong> — FAB charges 1.05% fee on every partial settlement; ADIB and DIB offer 30% free per year, HSBC 25%, ENBD 20%. (4) <strong>Borrowers prioritising included Property Takaful</strong> — ADIB pays Property Takaful for full tenure (unique); FAB charges 0.0525% of property value per annum. (5) <strong>Globally-mobile executives already on HSBC Premier</strong> — HSBC’s cross-jurisdictional continuity (UK/HK/SG/UAE) is unique and FAB does not match. (6) <strong>NRI customers already on ENBD Priority Banking</strong> — ENBD’s 200+ India branch infrastructure is deeper for NRI segments. We identify the right fit at scoping — our role is to find the best match, not to steer toward any one lender.

Per UAE Central Bank Consumer Protection Regulation (Circular No. 8 – 2020), all UAE panel lenders including FAB offer a 5 complete business day cooling-off period starting from signing the mortgage offer / lease contract. During this period you can terminate the contract without penalty. You may also choose to waive your right to the Cooling-Off Option — if you waive, all terms become binding immediately upon signing, and you bear all risks of rate movements and settlement starting from the signing date. The waiver is common where you want to meet an urgent completion deadline (e.g., developer handover window). FAB’s Loan Cancellation Fee of AED 105 applies if you cancel the loan application AFTER the cooling-off period has expired and BEFORE any amount has been advanced. We flag the trade-offs at the appropriate stage.

For complete, straightforward applications submitted through broker channels, FAB pre-approval typically runs 3-5 business days. Full timeline from pre-approval to drawdown runs 3-4 weeks for standard UAE-resident applications: week 1 pre-approval and property identification, week 2 formal application and property valuation, week 2-3 offer letter issuance and 5-business-day cooling-off period, week 3-4 Trustee centre registration and drawdown. For non-resident applications, timeline typically extends to 4-6 weeks for additional home-country income and source-of-funds verification. For FAB Elite and FAB Private clients with existing deposit/investment relationships, pre-approval can be faster due to pre-existing KYC and income data. For FAB Islamic Real Estate Finance, timeline is comparable to conventional — FAB Islamic uses the same underwriting and property registration infrastructure. For FAB buyout transactions, the 90-180 day first-instalment grace period gives useful breathing room to coordinate the settlement timing with the outgoing lender.