Abu Dhabi Three-Way Merger to Form $114 Billion U.A.E. Lender

  • ADCB to merge with UNB via share swap; take over Al Hilal
  • Subdued growth, deposit squeeze is forcing Gulf banks to merge

An Emirati man exits after using an Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank PJSC bank automated teller machine in Dubai.

Photographer: Christopher Pike/Bloomberg
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Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank PJSC agreed to merge with Union National Bank PJSC and Al Hilal Bank to create the Gulf’s fifth-biggest lender with about $114 billion in assets.

ADCB offered 0.5966 share for every UNB share, according to a statement. The combined entity will buy privately-held Al Hilal Bank for about 1 billion dirhams ($272 million) by issuing a mandatory convertible note. The deal is expected to close in the first half.