FAB SWIFT Code: NBADAEAA – Complete International Transfer Guide 2026
Sending or receiving money internationally through First Abu Dhabi Bank starts with one thing: the correct FAB SWIFT code. Get it right, and the transfer reaches your account within hours to a few business days. Get it wrong, and the payment either sits in limbo or bounces back — often with fees attached.
FAB is the UAE’s largest bank by assets, and it handles international transfers for millions of customers across the country — salaried professionals receiving remittances, freelancers getting paid from overseas clients, businesses settling cross-border invoices, and expats supporting family abroad. Every one of those transactions runs through the SWIFT network, and every one of them needs this code.
This guide covers the primary FAB SWIFT code, how to read it, which branch-specific codes exist, exactly what information you need to share with a sender, and what to do if something goes wrong. Whether this is your first international transfer or you just need to double-check details before a large payment, everything you need is here.
What Is the FAB SWIFT Code?
The primary SWIFT code for First Abu Dhabi Bank is NBADAEAA, also written as NBADAEAAXXX in its full 11-character format. Both versions are valid. Most foreign bank payment platforms accept either, though some systems require all 11 characters — use NBADAEAAXXX in those cases.
This code is how banks worldwide identify FAB in the SWIFT network. Every time you receive a salary from abroad, send money overseas, or process an international invoice, this code routes the payment to FAB’s central clearing system in Abu Dhabi. Without it, no international wire transfer can reach your account.
SWIFT stands for Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication. It operates the global messaging network that banks use to communicate payment instructions securely. The code itself doesn’t move money — it identifies where money should go. Your IBAN carries the account details; the SWIFT code carries the bank identity.
Why Does FAB’s SWIFT Code Say “NBAD”?
FAB was created in 2017 through the merger of National Bank of Abu Dhabi (NBAD) and First Gulf Bank (FGB). The bank retained the legacy code NBADAEAA for international continuity — changing it would have disrupted thousands of active payment routes maintained by correspondent banks globally. A secondary legacy code, FGBMAEAA, also remains active from the FGB side. For most personal and business transfers in 2026, use NBADAEAA.
FAB SWIFT Code Breakdown
Understanding what each part of the code means helps you verify it before any transfer:
| Character | Meaning |
|---|---|
| NBAD | Bank code (legacy National Bank of Abu Dhabi) |
| AE | Country code (United Arab Emirates) |
| AA | Location code (Abu Dhabi head office) |
| XXX | Branch code (optional; defaults to head office) |
The 8-character version (NBADAEAA) and the 11-character version (NBADAEAAXXX) both route to the same place. The “XXX” suffix simply means head office. If a foreign bank’s system rejects 8 characters, enter NBADAEAAXXX — it will process identically.
Branch-Specific FAB SWIFT Codes
NBADAEAA covers all transfers correctly. Specific codes apply to specialized departments and certain Dubai branches:
What Information Do You Need for an International Transfer to FAB?
When receiving money from abroad, share these exact details with the sender:
Beneficiary Name: [Your full name as on account]
Bank Name: First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB)
Bank Address: One NBAD Tower, Sheikh Khalifa Street, Abu Dhabi, UAE
SWIFT / BIC Code: NBADAEAA (or NBADAEAAXXX)
IBAN: AE + 21 digits (e.g., AE07 0351 0001 2345 6789 012)
Purpose of Payment: SAL (salary), FAM (family support), OAT (own account transfer)The 23-character IBAN starting with “AE” is mandatory for all UAE-bound transfers. The SWIFT code identifies the bank; the IBAN identifies your specific account. Both must be correct. If the IBAN is wrong, funds will be rejected or returned. If only the branch suffix in the SWIFT code is wrong, FAB reroutes internally.
Purpose of Payment Code — Why It Matters
UAE Central Bank regulations require a Purpose of Payment code for all incoming international transfers. Common codes:
- SAL — Salary or employment income
- FAM — Family support / personal remittance
- OAT — Own account transfer
- INV — Invoice payment / trade
- RNT — Rent payment
Missing this code doesn’t always block the transfer, but some correspondent banks reject or hold funds until it’s provided. Ask the sender to include it in the payment reference field.
How to Find Your FAB SWIFT Code
3 ways to confirm it before any transfer:
- FAB Mobile App — Log in → select your account → tap “Account Details” → scroll to SWIFT/BIC code
- FAB Online Banking — Visit bankfab.com → go to your account dashboard → click wire transfer instructions
- FAB Customer Service — Call 600 52 5500 (UAE residents) or +971 2 6811511 (international callers)
You can also check your physical bank statement or chequebook — FAB includes SWIFT details in the account information section of printed documents.
Always verify before initiating a large transfer. An incorrect SWIFT code causes a 24–48 hour delay and may trigger return fees charged by the sender’s bank or intermediary banks. FAB itself does not charge for this, but foreign banks often do.
Transfer Timelines and Fees
How long a transfer takes depends on the payment rail and origin country:
- SWIFT gpi transfers: Often complete within a few hours; many major banks now use SWIFT gpi for same-day tracking
- Standard SWIFT: 1–5 business days depending on correspondent banking relationships
- FAB internal re-routing (wrong branch suffix): Additional 24–48 hours; no FAB fee charged
- High-value or flagged transfers: May require additional verification; can take up to 7 business days
Fees are not charged by FAB for the SWIFT code itself. What you pay depends on:
- Your sending bank’s international wire fee (typically USD 15–45 per transfer)
- Intermediary or correspondent bank charges (typically USD 10–25, deducted from the transferred amount)
- Currency conversion spread if the transfer is not in AED
For transfers in USD, EUR, or GBP, the final AED amount credited to your account may be slightly less than expected due to intermediary fees and exchange rate margins. To get an exact quote, contact FAB or use the FAB Mobile App’s transfer calculator before sending.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
SWIFT codes don’t change often, but after mergers or bank rebranding, some databases still show old codes. NBADAEAA is current as of July 2026.
Some senders think the SWIFT code alone is enough. It identifies the bank but not your account. Always provide both.
The name on the transfer must match the name on your FAB account exactly. Mismatches trigger manual review and delay funds by 2–5 business days.
Most banks process international wires only until 3–4 PM local time. Transfers initiated after that process the next business day.
FAQs
Can I use NBADAEAA for all FAB branches?
Is FGBMAEAA still valid?
Do I need a different SWIFT code for AED vs USD transfers?
What if the sender used the wrong code?
Can I use the FAB SWIFT code for PayPal or Wise?
What is FAB’s routing code?
Conclusion
The FAB SWIFT code NBADAEAA is the single most important piece of information you need for any international transfer to First Abu Dhabi Bank. Whether you’re receiving a salary from London, getting paid by a client in the US, or sending money to a family account, this code tells the global banking network exactly where to deliver the funds.
Pair it with your 23-character IBAN, include the correct Purpose of Payment code, and double-check the beneficiary name. Those 3 steps cover the most common reasons transfers fail or get delayed.
If you’re unsure about any detail, call FAB at 600 52 5500 before initiating the transfer — not after. A 5-minute verification call can save days of delay and potential return fees from correspondent banks.
Note: Always verify SWIFT details directly with FAB before large or time-sensitive transfers. Codes are accurate as of July 2026.
