FAB Securities Review 2026: Fees, Platforms & Safety

FAB Securities Overview

FAB Securities is the investment brokerage division of First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB), the UAE’s largest bank by total assets and one of the highest-rated financial institutions in the Middle East. As a banking-backed securities firm, FAB Securities operates at the intersection of institutional financial services and retail investment, providing access to UAE and international markets through a regulated, bank-grade infrastructure.

Like Emirates NBD Securities, FAB Securities is designed for investors rather than active traders. The product breadth — UAE equities, global stocks, sukuk, bonds, and funds — and the premium service model reflect a wealth management orientation. Traders looking for tight CFD spreads or algorithmic trading infrastructure will find it the wrong fit, but UAE-based investors seeking a credible, bank-backed brokerage are well served.

Key Features

FAB Securities’ distinguishing features flow from its parent bank’s scale and standing:

• UAE equity market access — DFM and ADX trading with direct settlement through the bank’s infrastructure
• International equities — Access to major US, European, and GCC stock markets
• Sukuk and conventional bonds — Fixed income access for conservative portfolio building
• Mutual funds — A curated selection of regulated funds from global and regional managers
• Wealth advisory — Access to FAB’s broader wealth management and private banking capabilities for qualifying clients

The FAB brand carries significant weight in the UAE — the bank has the largest balance sheet in the country and an investment-grade credit rating from major international agencies. This institutional strength translates directly into securities custody quality and counterparty credibility.

Regulation & Safety

FAB Securities operates under authorisation from the UAE’s Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA), the principal regulator for securities firms in the Emirates. As the securities arm of a publicly-listed bank, it is also subject to:

• UAE Central Bank oversight at the banking group level
• SCA conduct and capital adequacy requirements for the securities entity
• International accounting and audit standards through FAB’s listed-bank obligations

Client securities are held in regulated custody accounts, entirely separate from FAB’s banking balance sheet. This custody structure provides protection comparable to, and arguably stronger than, the segregated account arrangements at independent CFD brokers.

The SCA is a serious regulator: it has issued enforcement actions against market participants, requires ongoing capital reporting, and maintains investor protection mechanisms for retail clients.

Trading Costs

FAB Securities pricing reflects the banking-group positioning:

• UAE equities: Commission typically 0.15%–0.20% with minimum fees per transaction
• International equities: Commission varies by market, typically higher than UAE domestic trades
• Bonds/Sukuk: Spread-based pricing plus any arrangement fees
• Forex (if available): Bank-rate pricing, not competitive with specialist forex brokers

These are not the costs of an ECN forex broker. They are the costs of a bank-grade securities firm, which comes with the custody quality, regulatory standing, and advisory access that an independent broker cannot offer.

Platforms

FAB Trading Platform provides the core web-based interface for equity trading, portfolio management, corporate action handling, and market data. The platform is designed around the investment workflow: portfolio view, order entry, and research integration.

Mobile App — Available on iOS and Android through FAB’s broader digital banking app, allowing portfolio monitoring, trade execution, and account management on mobile devices. For banking customers, investment and banking are unified in a single interface.

No MetaTrader integration is offered. FAB Securities is not positioned as a CFD or forex broker, and the platform choice reflects this focus on regulated securities rather than speculative derivatives.

Account Types

Individual — Retail brokerage account for UAE residents and eligible international investors. Minimum investment thresholds apply.

Joint — For married couples or investment partnerships managing shared portfolios.

Corporate — For institutional clients, family offices, and businesses requiring regulated securities holding and execution services.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Backed by the UAE’s largest bank — exceptional institutional credibility
• SCA regulation with banking-group Central Bank oversight
• Comprehensive UAE and international investment access
• Seamless FAB banking integration for account holders
• Access to wealth management and advisory services

Cons:

• High minimum deposit — not accessible for retail entry-level traders
• Costs are significantly above discount brokers and CFD platforms
• No MetaTrader or algorithmic trading support
• Primarily an investment platform, not an active trading broker
• Limited forex and CFD capabilities compared to specialist brokers

Verdict

FAB Securities is the UAE investor’s choice when institutional standing, banking-grade custody, and SCA regulatory credibility matter most. First Abu Dhabi Bank’s scale provides a level of counterparty security that independent brokers cannot replicate.

The trade-off is straightforward: higher costs, a conservative platform, and no active CFD trading infrastructure. For the UAE resident managing a diversified investment portfolio — UAE stocks, international equities, bonds, funds — FAB Securities is a natural and well-supported home.

For traders who want competitive CFD spreads, MetaTrader access, or speculative forex trading infrastructure, a dedicated trading broker is the appropriate choice.

Useful Tools & Resources

• Compare UAE Brokers →
• Best Regulated Brokers for UAE Traders →
• UAE Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA) Explained →
• Stocks vs CFDs: Key Differences →