Hana Al Rostamani Leads UAE’s Largest Bank 

By 2026, Hana Al Rostamani runs the biggest bank in the UAE – First Abu Dhabi Bank – and stands out across the Arab region as a leading figure in business. She took charge in 2021, since when the bank’s assets have held steady between 350 and 370 billion dollars. Performance-wise, earnings before expenses climbed fast each year. Growth wasn’t just local; money earned abroad grew too, helped by upgrading tech systems and reaching into new markets nearby. Not one other woman leads a public company in the country, making her position rare. Because of that, many now point to her path as proof of what’s possible for women shaping finance in the Gulf. 

She leads by balancing careful decisions with bold moves, like introducing a major financial tool worth fifty million dollars in 2025 to support clean water efforts and green initiatives in the UAE. Because of joining Buna – a network tied to the Arab Monetary Fund – her bank now handles digital transactions more smoothly and connects faster across countries, reaching clients from North Africa into the Gulf region. Through roles on influential panels, including the Institute of International Finance and the U.S.–UAE Business Council, she links investors from the Gulf with economic opportunities abroad, quietly shaping how money flows between regions. 

Her skill at merging old-school banking, like business loans and cash management, with new tech-focused offerings for everyday customers has kept FAB key to the UAE’s shifting economy. With banks across the Middle East facing challenges from environmental concerns alongside rapid digital change, the leadership of Al Rostamani stands out – not as an exception, but as proof that female leaders can steer major financial transformation in their communities.