FAB Fees & Charges: Minimum Balance Requirements, & Fee Structures
If you use First Abu Dhabi Bank services in the UAE, understanding FAB fees and charges can help you avoid unnecessary deductions and manage your money more effectively. Whether you use a FAB salary account, savings account, credit card, prepaid card, or online banking service, every banking product comes with certain service fees, transaction costs, and maintenance charges.
In this detailed guide, I will explain FAB fees and charges in simple language, including account maintenance fees, ATM withdrawal charges, international transfer fees, minimum balance penalties, credit card late payment charges, and much more. This article is designed to help FAB customers understand how the bank’s fee structure works while also helping users search for related topics like FAB balance check, FAB account charges, FAB transfer fees, FAB debit card charges, and FAB banking costs in UAE.
What Are FAB Fees & Charges?
FAB fees and charges are the service costs that customers may pay while using banking products offered by First Abu Dhabi Bank. These fees can vary depending on the type of account, card, banking service, or transaction you use.
Min. balance (current)
AED 3,000
Personal Current Account
Below-balance monthly fee
AED 26.25
VAT-inclusive penalty
Non-FAB ATM (UAE)
AED 2.10
Per withdrawal
International ATM
AED 21
Per withdrawal abroad
Common FAB banking charges include:
- Monthly account maintenance fees
- Minimum balance penalties
- ATM withdrawal charges
- International money transfer fees
- Credit card late payment fees
- Foreign currency conversion charges
- SMS alert fees
- Debit card replacement charges
- Cheque book fees
- Cash withdrawal charges outside UAE
FAB Account Maintenance & Minimum Balance Fees
Monthly charges for FAB savings and current accounts
The most commonly encountered FAB bank charge is the below-minimum-balance fee. FAB applies this charge when your average monthly account balance drops below the required threshold. This fee appears on your monthly statement as a “Below Balance Fee.”
| Service | Possible Charge |
|---|---|
| Minimum balance fee | Monthly penalty if balance is low |
| Account closure fee | If closed within specific period |
| Dormant account fee | For inactive accounts |
| Printed statement fee | Extra paper statement charges |
| Cheque book issuance | Depending on account type |
FAB Personal Current Account
The FAB Personal Current Account requires a minimum balance of AED 3,000. If your balance falls below this in any given month, FAB deducts AED 26.25 (inclusive of 5% VAT). However, salary account holders who receive monthly credits of AED 5,000 or more are exempt from this penalty even if the balance dips below the threshold.
Important: The AED 26.25 below-balance fee compounds if ignored. An inactive account with no salary credit can accumulate these charges monthly until the account balance is zero or negative. Always monitor your balance through the FAB Mobile App.
Types of FAB Banking Fees in UAE
FAB provides multiple financial services, and each service may include different charges. Below are the most common categories of FAB fees in UAE.
FAB ATM Withdrawal Fees
Withdrawing from FAB’s own ATM network across the UAE is always free regardless of your account type. Charges apply when you use non-FAB ATMs — inside the UAE, within the GCC, or internationally. The fees vary by account tier, with premium accounts enjoying more free withdrawals.
| ATM Location | Standard Account | FAB One Account | Elite Account |
|---|---|---|---|
| FAB ATMs (UAE) | Free (unlimited) | Free (unlimited) | Free (unlimited) |
| Other bank ATMs (UAE) | AED 2.10 / withdrawal | 4 free/month, then AED 2.10 | Free |
| GCC ATMs | AED 6.30 / withdrawal | AED 6.30 / withdrawal | Varies by tier |
| International ATMs | AED 21 / withdrawal | AED 21 / withdrawal | AED 21 / withdrawal |
| Etihad Guest Account (UAE) | 2 free non-FAB UAE withdrawals/month, then AED 2.10 | ||
Non-FAB ATM fees are in addition to any processing fee charged by Mastercard or Visa. Foreign currency withdrawals are converted using the card scheme’s rate on the day of conversion.
FAB Daily ATM Withdrawal Limits by Account
| Account / Card | Daily ATM Limit | Daily Purchase Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Personal Current (Platinum Debit) | AED 20,000 | AED 40,000 |
| FAB One Account | AED 20,000 | AED 40,000 |
| Etihad Guest Account | AED 20,000 | AED 75,000 |
| Elite Current Account (World Debit) | AED 40,000 | AED 75,000 |
| Etihad Guest Elite | AED 30,000 | AED 75,000 |
FAB International Transfer Charges
FAB domestic and international transfer charges
International money transfers through FAB can be costly compared to specialist remittance providers. When sending money abroad via FAB Online Banking or the FAB Mobile App, a transaction fee applies per transfer. On top of this, FAB applies an exchange rate margin — the difference between the interbank rate and the rate offered to customers — which ranges from 0.2% to as high as 5% depending on the currency corridor.
This means the true cost of an international transfer from FAB can range from 0.5% to over 6% of the total transfer value when both fees and FX margin are combined.
| Transfer Type | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic (within UAE) — UAEFTS | Free | Instant transfers between UAE banks via UAEFTS |
| FAB to FAB transfer | Free | Instant, no charge |
| International wire transfer (online) | Fee per transaction + FX margin | 0.2%–5% FX markup applied by FAB |
| International remittance (Elite Current) | 1st transfer/month free | AED account holders only; standard fee after |
| Standing instruction setup | AED 52.50 | One-time setup fee |
| Failed standing instruction | AED 25 | Per returned transaction due to insufficient funds |
Money-saving tip: For regular international remittances — especially to India, Pakistan, Philippines, or other popular corridors — specialist transfer apps typically offer rates 3–5x cheaper than FAB’s standard wire transfer, with no setup fees and faster delivery times.
FAB Credit Card Fees & Charges
Annual fees, interest rates, late payment charges, and cash advance costs
FAB offers a range of credit cards at different tiers — from entry-level cards to premium travel and rewards cards. Understanding the fee structure of your specific card helps you avoid expensive charges like late payment fees and cash advance costs.
| Charge Type | Typical Amount | When It Applies |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | Varies by card tier | Charged annually; some cards waive on spending threshold |
| Late payment fee | AED 241.50 (VAT incl.) | If minimum payment not made by due date |
| Cash advance fee | 3%–4% of amount withdrawn | Each ATM withdrawal using credit card |
| Foreign transaction fee | Varies (some cards: 0%) | Purchases in non-AED currencies; 0% on FAB Infinite/World Elite |
| Over-limit fee | AED 262.50 (VAT incl.) | If spending exceeds credit limit |
| Returned payment fee | AED 105 (VAT incl.) | If direct debit for card payment is returned |
| Duplicate statement fee | AED 52.50 | Per request for paper statement copies |
| Card replacement fee | AED 52.50 | For lost, stolen, or damaged cards |
Avoid cash advances at all costs. Using your FAB credit card at an ATM is one of the most expensive banking actions you can take. Interest begins accruing immediately (no grace period), and the 3–4% transaction fee stacks on top. Always use your debit card for cash withdrawals instead.
FAB Debit Card Charges
FAB debit cards are linked directly to customer bank accounts and usually include fewer fees compared to credit cards.
However, some debit card charges may still apply:
- Replacement card fee
- International usage fee
- ATM withdrawal outside UAE
- Foreign exchange markup
- PIN regeneration fee
Users who frequently travel or shop internationally should review FAB foreign currency transaction fees carefully.
FAB SMS Banking & Alert Charges
FAB may provide SMS alerts for:
- Debit transactions
- Credit transactions
- Salary deposits
- OTP security verification
- Account balance notifications
While many alerts are free, premium SMS notification services may sometimes include small monthly charges depending on the account type.
FAB Loan Processing Fees
Customers applying for personal loans, auto loans, or mortgage financing through FAB may also pay processing charges.
Typical FAB loan-related fees:
- Loan processing fee
- Early settlement charge
- Insurance cost
- Late EMI payment fee
- Liability letter fee
Loan terms and costs can vary depending on the financing product and customer eligibility.
How to Check FAB Fees & Charges Online
Customers can review FAB charges through multiple official banking channels.
Method 1: FAB Mobile Banking App
Using the FAB mobile app, users can:
- Log in securely
- Open account or card details
- View transaction history
- Check deducted service charges
- Monitor card fees and banking costs
Method 2: FAB Online Banking
Customers can also access fee details through the official online banking portal.
Steps:
- Visit First Abu Dhabi Bank Website
- Sign in to internet banking
- Open account statements
- Review transaction descriptions
- Identify banking service fees
Method 3: FAB Customer Care
FAB customer support can also explain charges related to accounts, cards, or transfers.
Users commonly contact FAB support for:
- Unexpected deductions
- Credit card charges
- Transfer fee clarification
- Account maintenance penalties
- Loan payment issues
How to Avoid Unnecessary FAB Banking Charges
Most FAB account fees are entirely avoidable with the right setup. Here are the most effective strategies for UAE residents and expatriates:
| Fee to Avoid | How to Avoid It |
|---|---|
| Below-minimum-balance fee (AED 26.25/mo) | Maintain AED 3,000+ at all times, or switch to FAB One / iSave Account which have no minimum balance requirement |
| Below-balance fee (salary account exemption) | Ensure monthly salary credits of AED 5,000 or more — this waives the penalty even if balance dips below AED 3,000 |
| Non-FAB ATM fees | Use FAB ATMs for all withdrawals; use FAB One Account for 4 free non-FAB UAE ATM withdrawals per month |
| International ATM fees (AED 21) | Plan cash needs before travelling; use card purchases (POS) instead of ATM cash withdrawals abroad |
| Credit card late payment fee | Set up auto-debit for at least the minimum payment amount; use FAB App payment reminders and alerts |
| Credit card cash advance fee | Never use credit card at ATMs; always use FAB debit card for cash needs |
| Account closure fee | Keep the account open for at least 6 months before closing; closure within 6 months triggers AED 105 fee |
| International transfer FX margin | Use specialist remittance providers for international transfers; compare rates before sending |
Why FAB Charges Fees for Banking Services
Banks apply fees to cover:
- Transaction processing
- International banking networks
- ATM infrastructure
- Customer support services
- Security systems
- Card management costs
However, many FAB banking products also offer premium benefits, rewards, cashback, and digital banking convenience that can offset certain service costs.
FAB Digital Banking Convenience
One reason many UAE residents continue using FAB is its strong digital banking ecosystem.
FAB offers:
- Mobile banking
- Instant transfers
- Online bill payments
- Card management tools
- International remittance services
- Secure OTP verification
- Account monitoring features
Important Things to Know Before Opening a FAB Account
Before choosing any FAB banking product, customers should compare:
- Minimum balance requirements
- Salary transfer conditions
- ATM accessibility
- International transfer costs
- Credit card annual fees
- Cashback benefits
- Foreign transaction charges
FAB Fees & Charges for Expats in UAE
Expats living in UAE often use FAB for:
- Salary accounts
- International money transfers
- Credit cards
- Savings accounts
- Personal loans
Expats should especially review:
- SWIFT transfer fees
- Currency conversion rates
- Overseas ATM withdrawal costs
- International card transaction charges
These costs can significantly impact monthly expenses for people sending money abroad regularly.
Are FAB Fees Different for Salary Accounts?
Yes, salary accounts may include special benefits such as:
- Lower minimum balance requirements
- Free debit cards
- Reduced transfer charges
- Free account maintenance
- Better loan eligibility
The exact benefits depend on employer agreements and salary package conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions About FAB Fees & Charges
Final Thoughts
Understanding FAB fees and charges is essential for managing your banking expenses efficiently in the UAE. Whether you use a FAB salary account, debit card, credit card, loan service, or international remittance feature, reviewing the applicable charges can help you avoid unnecessary deductions and make smarter financial decisions.
Before opening any new account or banking product, always compare fees, benefits, and transaction limits carefully. Smart banking habits like maintaining balances, paying bills on time, and using digital banking tools can save money over the long term.
