Dubai, UAE — First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB), the UAE’s largest bank and one of the world’s most secure financial institutions, has announced a strategic partnership with Thunes, a leading global payments infrastructure company. This collaboration will enable FAB to offer seamless mobile wallet payout capabilities to customers across multiple international markets, reinforcing the bank’s commitment to digital innovation and financial inclusion.
Expanding Digital Payment Capabilities
The partnership positions FAB at the forefront of the digital payments revolution, allowing the bank to facilitate real-time cross-border transactions to mobile wallets in emerging and frontier markets. Through Thunes’ extensive network, FAB customers will gain access to over 130 countries and more than 300 mobile wallet providers, significantly expanding the bank’s remittance and payout infrastructure.
This strategic move addresses the growing demand for faster, more accessible payment solutions, particularly among expatriate communities in the UAE who regularly send funds to family members abroad. Mobile wallet payouts eliminate traditional barriers associated with cash pickups and bank transfers, offering recipients immediate access to funds through their smartphones.
Driving Financial Inclusion
Hani El Ghanem, Chief Operating Officer at First Abu Dhabi Bank, commented on the partnership: “Our collaboration with Thunes represents a significant milestone in our digital transformation journey. By enabling mobile wallet payouts, we’re not only enhancing convenience for our customers but also contributing to financial inclusion in underserved markets where mobile penetration far exceeds traditional banking infrastructure.”
The integration of Thunes’ technology into FAB’s payment ecosystem reflects a broader industry trend toward real-time, digital-first financial services. Mobile wallets have become the preferred payment method in many developing economies, where smartphone adoption has outpaced access to formal banking services.
Technology-Driven Transformation
Thunes’ payments infrastructure leverages advanced API technology to connect financial institutions with mobile money operators, digital wallets, and payment schemes worldwide. The platform’s compliance framework and real-time settlement capabilities ensure secure, transparent transactions that meet international regulatory standards.
Peter De Caluwe, CEO of Thunes, stated: “First Abu Dhabi Bank’s decision to partner with Thunes validates our position as the infrastructure provider of choice for leading financial institutions seeking to expand their cross-border payment capabilities. Together, we’re enabling millions of people to receive funds instantly, securely, and affordably.”
Market Impact and Regional Leadership
The UAE continues to be a major remittance-sending country, with billions of dollars transferred annually by its diverse expatriate population. According to World Bank data, remittance flows from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region represent a critical financial lifeline for families in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.
By offering mobile wallet payouts, FAB is addressing key pain points in the remittance value chain: speed, cost, and accessibility. Recipients in countries with limited banking infrastructure can now receive funds directly to their mobile wallets within minutes, rather than traveling to physical locations or waiting days for bank transfers to clear.
Competitive Positioning
This partnership strengthens FAB’s competitive position in the increasingly crowded digital payments landscape. As fintech companies and digital-first banks challenge traditional financial institutions, FAB’s proactive adoption of innovative payment technologies demonstrates its commitment to remaining relevant in a rapidly evolving market.
The move also aligns with the UAE’s broader vision to become a global hub for financial technology and digital innovation. Government initiatives such as the UAE Strategy for Artificial Intelligence and the Dubai Blockchain Strategy have created an enabling environment for financial institutions to experiment with cutting-edge technologies.
Future Outlook
Industry analysts view the FAB-Thunes partnership as indicative of a larger shift in how banks approach cross-border payments. As customer expectations evolve and regulatory frameworks become more accommodating of digital payment methods, traditional banks must either innovate or risk losing market share to more agile competitors.
The collaboration is expected to launch in phases, with initial rollout focusing on high-demand corridors before expanding to additional markets. FAB has indicated that mobile wallet payouts are part of a broader digital banking strategy that includes enhanced mobile banking features, AI-powered customer service, and blockchain-based solutions.
As the global payments landscape continues to evolve, partnerships like this one between established financial institutions and specialized technology providers will likely become the norm rather than the exception. For FAB, the Thunes partnership represents not just a new product offering, but a strategic commitment to leading the digital transformation of banking in the Middle East and beyond.
About First Abu Dhabi Bank
First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) is the UAE’s largest bank and one of the world’s largest and safest financial institutions. FAB offers an extensive range of tailor-made solutions and products to customers through its network of branches across five continents.
About Thunes
Thunes is a global payments infrastructure company that enables businesses to make fast, secure cross-border payments to mobile wallets, bank accounts, and cash pickup locations in emerging markets worldwide.