Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank announced the opening of its new Al Mutarid Branch in Al Ain, which introduces a concept designed to merge smart self-service technology with dedicated customer support teams. The development forms part of the bank’s ongoing investment in both its physical outlets and digital platforms to deliver simpler and more responsive services. Customers can now complete routine transactions independently through terminals and smart teller machines while turning to staff for complex requirements that benefit from direct expertise.
This approach eliminates traditional teller counters in favour of a flexible layout that gives clients greater control over daily banking activities. Branch employees shift their focus toward offering advice, problem-solving and relationship-building once basic operations move to digital channels. According to the bank, the model ensures digital tools and in-person assistance function in tandem rather than in isolation.
Amit Malhotra, group head of retail banking at ADIB, said, “Our ambition under Vision 2035 is to build a bank around our customers’ needs, giving them greater choice in how they access our services. Digital convenience and human expertise go hand in hand. The Al Mutarid Branch brings this approach to life, enabling customers to complete everyday transactions efficiently while giving our people more opportunity to provide advice, solve problems and build lasting relationships.” Malhotra’s comments underscore the strategic priority placed on evolving branch roles.
The addition raises ADIB’s branch count in Al Ain to nine while contributing to a nationwide network that now stands at 64 outlets. The lender had reached 62 branches earlier in 2026 after opening a next-generation site at Dubai Hills Mall, with further customer centres added in Dubai and the northern emirates in late 2024. These steps reflect a measured expansion that targets high-traffic locations and residential areas alike.
S&P Global Ratings reported that Islamic banking assets across the UAE stood at roughly 989 billion dirhams by the end of April 2026, representing 18 percent of total banking system assets and up from previous years in both financing and deposit shares. ADIB itself recorded total assets of 304 billion dirhams as of June 30, 2026, while maintaining operations in Egypt, Iraq, the United Kingdom and Qatar in addition to its core UAE franchise. The bank’s retail business has emphasised digital acquisition, with a significant majority of new customers now onboarded through online channels.
The hybrid branch format aligns with ADIB’s wider push to accelerate long-term growth and innovation under its 2035 vision, which prioritises customer relationships and digital advancement. Industry trends show Islamic finance continuing to expand its footprint in the UAE, where nine standalone Islamic banks and 15 windows operate alongside conventional institutions. ADIB’s latest opening adds to a distribution network that also includes more than 550 automated teller machines across the country.
