FAB acquires 100% of Bahrain fund administrator Yasira
The acquisition aims to bolster FAB's Securities Services franchise and expand regional fund administration capabilities.
Quick Look
- First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) has acquired 100% of Bahrain-based fund administrator Yasira Financial Services.
- The platform, which manages over $7 billion in assets, will be rebranded and integrated into FAB's Securities Services division.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Yasira Financial Services was formerly known as Crestbridge Bahrain and rebranded in late 2023. The firm provides back-office support for various investment structures including private equity and venture capital.
Abu Dhabi: First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) has acquired 100 per cent of Yasira Financial Services, a Bahrain-based fund administration and trust services platform, the lender announced on November 9. The companies have not yet disclosed the value of the deal, but FAB will rebrand Yasira and fold it into its Securities Services franchise.
“Our priority will be to ensure continuity for Yasira’s clients while investing in the platform, talent and capabilities needed to support their growth. Together, we will bring greater regional scale and local market expertise to fund managers operating across increasingly complex investment structures and jurisdictions,” he added.
Yasira handles the back-office work behind investment funds. Its platform supports public assets, private equity, venture capital and real estate across multiple entities, structures and jurisdictions. For private-market funds, it covers the full lifecycle, from investor commitments and capital calls to allocations, financial reporting and final distributions.
The business was formerly Crestbridge Bahrain and rebranded as Yasira in late 2023. Its services also include corporate solutions, ESG advisory and data analytics for fund managers, family offices and sovereign wealth funds. At the time of the rebrand it managed more than $7 billion (Dh25.7 billion) in assets.
The deal comes as UAE lenders push into new businesses and markets. Emirates NBD acquired a 60 per cent stake in India’s RBL Bank for $2.75 billion. The transaction was completed in June 2026.
FAB itself is reported to be eyeing deals in India. A report published on October 27 said the bank was interested in a majority stake in a mid-sized Indian private lender and had held meetings with Bandhan Bank and a Kerala-based bank. Bandhan Bank told exchanges it is not in acquisition talks with FAB. FAB already runs branches in Mumbai and at GIFT City in Gujarat.
Open Questions
- What was the financial value of the acquisition?
