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Arab Bank Switzerland has officially launched operations in Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), strengthening its presence in the UAE and expanding its digital asset advisory services across the Middle East.
The Swiss private banking group’s regional subsidiary, Arab Bank Switzerland ME Ltd, has commenced operations after receiving Financial Services Permission (FSP) from ADGM’s Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA).
The expansion marks another milestone in the bank’s regional growth strategy and reinforces its commitment to serving institutional and private clients in the UAE’s rapidly developing financial services sector.
Through its Abu Dhabi entity, the bank will provide digital asset advisory services to financial institutions, corporations, fintech companies, family offices and high-net-worth individuals.
The services will focus on helping clients access, manage, safeguard and transfer digital asset holdings within ADGM’s established regulatory framework.
Valérie Noël Appointed CEO of Abu Dhabi Operations
Arab Bank Switzerland has named Valérie Noël as Chief Executive Officer of its newly established Abu Dhabi entity, bringing more than three decades of international financial services experience to the position.
Noël has worked extensively across wealth management, asset management, financial markets, trading and digital assets.
She began her professional career in Geneva before taking on senior leadership responsibilities at HSBC Private Bank.
She subsequently joined Syz Group, where she served as Head of Trading, overseeing multi-asset trading operations and leading efforts to modernise the bank’s trading infrastructure through digital technologies.
Her appointment is expected to support Arab Bank Switzerland’s efforts to strengthen regional client relationships and establish a greater presence in the Middle East’s digital asset market.
Arab Bank Switzerland Builds on Digital Asset Banking Expertise
The Abu Dhabi launch follows several years of investment by Arab Bank Switzerland in blockchain-based financial services and cryptocurrency solutions.
In 2019, the institution became the first private bank regulated by the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) to introduce cryptocurrency custody and trading services.
Since then, the bank has expanded its digital asset offering to include staking, lending and inheritance planning solutions.
Its proprietary Digital Explorer platform also allows clients to monitor their digital asset holdings and market developments through a consolidated interface.
The bank’s digital asset activities extend beyond financial markets into digital art and non-fungible tokens (NFTs).
In 2022, Arab Bank Switzerland introduced NFT custody services, began developing its own digital art collection and established the Arab Bank Switzerland Digital Art Prize to recognise artists working with emerging digital technologies.
Abu Dhabi Expansion Supports Regional Growth Strategy
Rani Jabban, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Arab Bank Switzerland, described the opening of the Abu Dhabi office as an important development in the group’s UAE expansion plans.
He highlighted Abu Dhabi’s growing position as a centre for financial technology and digital asset innovation, noting that the bank intends to contribute to the local ecosystem through partnerships and regulated advisory services.
Jabban also welcomed Noël’s appointment, citing her extensive financial markets experience and leadership background as important strengths for establishing the new business.
The bank expects the Abu Dhabi operation to deepen relationships with regional investors while supporting the increasing demand for professional digital asset advisory services.
Valérie Noël Outlines Vision for Digital Asset Advisory Services
Commenting on her appointment, Noël said Arab Bank Switzerland aims to become a reliable long-term partner for clients navigating the changing digital asset investment environment.
She noted that digital assets are becoming an increasingly significant consideration for institutional investors and private wealth managers when making capital allocation decisions.
According to Noël, digital investments should be approached with the same standards of transparency, risk management and professional oversight applied to traditional financial assets.
She also highlighted the advantages of combining the bank’s established expertise with Abu Dhabi’s financial infrastructure and regulatory environment.
The new entity will focus on building sustainable client relationships and helping investors identify opportunities within the regulated digital asset sector.
ADGM Welcomes Arab Bank Switzerland’s Entry
Arvind Ramamurthy, Chief Market Development Officer at ADGM, welcomed the bank’s decision to establish operations in Abu Dhabi.
He said the launch reflects growing interest among international financial institutions in using ADGM as a regional base for digital asset and financial services activities.
Ramamurthy highlighted the financial centre’s regulatory framework, international connectivity and expanding financial ecosystem as factors supporting its appeal to global institutions.
He added that Arab Bank Switzerland’s experience in private banking and digital assets would strengthen ADGM’s financial services offering and help address the evolving requirements of institutional investors and private clients.
Arab Bank Switzerland Strengthens UAE Presence with Abu Dhabi and Dubai Offices
The opening of Arab Bank Switzerland ME Ltd in Abu Dhabi follows the establishment of ABS (Middle East) Ltd at Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) in June 2026.
The Dubai operation, headed by Chief Executive Officer Samir Atitallah, focuses primarily on wealth management services for entrepreneurs, family offices and high-net-worth individuals.
With its Abu Dhabi entity specialising in digital asset advisory, the group can now serve clients across both traditional wealth management and emerging digital investment markets through its two UAE operations.
The expansion comes during a period of sustained growth for Arab Bank Switzerland, with group assets under management approaching $25 billion.
The bank also strengthened its Swiss private banking business through the acquisition of Gonet in 2022, a historic financial institution founded in 1845.
The addition of regulated digital asset advisory services in Abu Dhabi represents a further step in Arab Bank Switzerland’s strategy to diversify its services, expand its regional reach and strengthen its position in international private banking.
