The merger with First Gulf Bank in 2017 has made National Bank of Abu Dhabi (NBAD) part of First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB). People who want to check an NBAD balance now use FAB’s current banking services to check their balance and activate their cards. The salary-card holders of Ratibi also enjoy a separate balance enquiry service to see the available funds. Having a former NBAD account or a Ratibi card will help you to select the appropriate and safe NBAD balance check process.
What Happened to NBAD?
Prior to its amalgamation with First Gulf Bank, National Bank of Abu Dhabi was one of the well-established banking institutions in the UAE.
The consolidation was completed in 2017. FGB and NBAD merged to form a new bank named First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB), according to the official information provided by FAB.
The key consideration for customers is this: They must not try to find a new modern NBAD mobile-banking system to use an old account. Those customers are currently serviced by FAB.
An old physical card could still feature NBAD branding – but it doesn’t mean you need to locate an old NBAD website or app. The service that is used depends on the FAB product that is linked to your account or card.
Does an Old NBAD Card Still Matter?
It can. Older cards are still in use by some customers, or they may remember their banking relationship as NBAD. The language is also still used in online searches, especially among individuals who are seeking information on their salary card balance or prepaid card balance.
The service you use today, however, should be provided by the existing service provider, and not by an unofficial site that advertises itself as providing an old NBAD service.
The official website of FAB currently lists its personal accounts, cards, mobile banking, and Ratibiprepaid card services.
How to Complete an NBAD Balance Check Today
The correct method depends on what you have.
| Your product | Recommended balance method |
| Former NBAD/FAB bank account | FAB Mobile or FAB Online Banking |
| FAB debit card | FAB Mobile, Online Banking or ATM |
| FAB credit card | FAB Mobile or Online Banking |
| Ratibi salary card | FAB’s official Ratibi balance-enquiry service |
| No access to digital banking | Contact FAB or use an appropriate ATM |
| Unsure which product you have | Confirm the card/account type before entering information |
Especially the difference between a regular FAB account and a prepaid salary card from Ratibi must be emphasized. For existing Ratibi cardholders, FAB has a dedicated link to enquire about the balance.
Check Your Former NBAD Account Through FAB Mobile
If you are a shopper whose present NBAD account has been changed to a FAB account, FAB Mobile might be one of the most convenient alternatives available.
According to FAB, its mobile app enables users to control their accounts as well as their debit and credit cards, and view their balances. The app can be used on Apple or Android devices.
Steps to Check Your Account Balance
- Open the official FAB Mobile app.
- Log in with your registered login.
- Select the appropriate account/card.
- See the balance and account information displayed.
- If you need to know about a change in the balance, review recent transactions.
In addition, FAB offers account management and transaction capabilities in its digital banking offering.
If you are not a FAB Mobile customer, you might need to go through the bank’s current registration and identity-verification process. FAB says that its secure registration process uses Emirates ID and video-selfie verification.
Can You Use FAB Mobile Outside the UAE?
Yes. FAB states that customers can use FAB Mobile outside of the UAE with an available WiFi connection or appropriate roaming data service.
This may be beneficial for customers who have used products from NBAD while overseas or even when they have moved out of the UAE, but continue to hold their FAB relationship.
Check Your Balance Through FAB Online Banking
Customers who have an old-fashioned FAB account have another alternative: online banking.
You are required to sign in to get information about your account and some of the services available to you on your card via FAB’s official online banking service. According to FAB’s digital-banking information, customers can use the online channels to manage their accounts and cards.
This is especially helpful if you’re using a desktop or laptop computer, and you don’t need to download a mobile app.
Never use a link to log on to online banking that you were sent by SMS, email or social media.
NBAD Balance Check for a Ratibi Salary Card
A Ratibi card is not like an existing current or savings account.
FAB defines Ratibi as a payroll service that is meant for workers who get paid up to AED 5,000, and they do not need to have a bank account to receive their salary onto a prepaid card.
The difference is important, since Ratibi cardholders should avoid an ordinary FAB bank-account login, and should use the bank account balance enquiry service.
The Ratibi page on the FAB official website has a “Ratibi Prepaid Card Balance Enquiry” link in i, which redirects to the card balance enquiry service provided at ppc.magnati.com.
How to Check a Ratibi Card Balance Online
For a Ratibi card:
- Go to FAB’s official Ratibi page.
- Click on the Ratibi Prepaid Card Balance Enquiry option.
- Follow the instructions on the official balance enquiry page.
- Fill in only what is requested by the official service.
- Check the balance on the service.
This balance-enquiry facility is a safer point of reference for existing Ratibi card-holders who are directed to it by FAB, as opposed to relying on third-party websites that may provide stale information on how to check your card.
Why Ratibi Is Different From a Normal Bank Account
One thing that is often misunderstood is that all the cards linked with the old carding name are identical to bank debit cards.
Ratibi is a prepaid payroll solution. Employees can get their payroll through the card without a bank account, according to FAB. It also notes that the cardholders of Ratibi have no minimum balance or monthly fee requirement.
The card will be accepted for payments and cash withdrawals at the supported ATM,s and FAB says that Ratibi cards can be used with Visa or Mastercard networks globally, subject to the card and network terms.
So, if your employer provides you with a Ratibi card for salary payment, do not think that a regular FAB current account is necessary just to check how much money you have.
Can You Check the Balance at an ATM?
When you don’t have mobile or online banking, an ATM may be a helpful tool.
According to FAB, Ratibi cards can be used at ATMs, as well as through the broad network of cash-deposit machines, and they are able to select a PIN at FAB ATMs as well.
If the account holder’s FAB account is conventional, then a suitable ATM may also offer account and/or card services depending on the card and ATM.
The specific choices displayed on the ATM will depend on the card type, network, and transaction requested. So, if a specific balance option is not listed, do not trust an unofficial ATM instruction; use FAB’s digital banking service or call the bank instead.
What If Your Salary Has Not Appeared?
A balance enquiry is typically used to see if a salary has been credited.
According to FAB, the product will help Ratibi customers get SMS notifications for every salary credit.
If your check is marked paid, but your available balance isn’t showing any change, look at the balance of your account or card first. If the promised payment has not been received, the problem could be that it was missed, and this should be confirmed with the employer or FAB.
The UAE’s Wages Protection System (WPS) is designed for Ratibi to help with salary payments. According to FAB, its Ratibi service allows for payment of salary via WPS and electronically for salary payments in accordance with the requirements in the UAE.
A balance check can then be used to determine if funds have actually been made available, but it can’t tell you in itself why payment of an expected salary is not available.
What Information Do You Need?
The information needed will vary depending on the service you are utilizing.
For FAB Mobile and online banking, you log in with your FAB digital-banking profile’s username/password and verification method.
The official enquiry service for Ratibi or another prepaid card might ask for details related to that card. Fill in only the fields that are on the official service.
Do not give your:
- ATM PIN
- Online-banking password
- One-time password (OTP)
- Providing a complete card to a stranger
- Emirates ID information to an unverified website
- Using WhatsApp or social media to bank money
FAB also cautions its customers against sharing their account details or OTPs with those who call them from a fake FAB ID using SMS, WhatsApp, or e-mail. The bank also reminds its users to report any suspicious messages and fraudulent websites.
Is It Safe to Use Third-Party Balance-Check Websites?
Care must be taken.
Pages in search results may refer to discontinued NBAD services, provide stale SMS commands,s or link to sites not managed by FAB.
The best way is to go to the official FAB website and go through the balance check option for the specific product.
This is particularly important for Ratibi customers as FAB’s own website includes a direct link to the official prepaid-card balance-enquiry service.
Avoid completing any website that requires an OTP, PIN or online-banking password just to see a balance.
What If You Cannot Access Your FAB Account?
If you are unable to log in, do not repeatedly enter login information on unofficial sites.
FAB lists its UAE customer-care number as 600 52 5500 and its international number as +971 2 681 1511. The UAE customer-care service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, FAB says.
You can contact the bank when:
- FAB Mobile has been disabled.
- Your previous NBAD account is not displayed.
- Your card has been suspended.
- Digital registration is not possible.
- You don’t see that the amount of money on your salary card is correct.
- You think a transaction may have been made without your permission.
- Not sure about your card’s balance enquiry service.
According to its customer support information, FAB also supports users via its mobile app and branches.
Common Problems With NBAD/FAB Balance Enquiries
Old NBAD information appears online.
This is because NBAD is still a common search query. The answer is to check up against up-to-date FAB sources.
Existing customer services should now be referred to FAB and not to historical NBAD instructions due to the 2017 merger.
Your Ratibi card does not appear in FAB Mobile
Don’t presume that there’s a card problem.
Ratibi is a pre-paid payroll product,t and FAB offers a payroll balance enquiry facility to individuals who already have Ratibi cards.
Utilize the service dedicated to FAB’s Ratibi page.
Your balance looks lower than expected.
Review the recent transactions and see if the anticipated salary or deposit has been deposited.
If you come across a transaction you don’t recognise, speak to FAB via an official channel—not through some social-media account or website.
You received a suspicious balance-check link
Never input any banking information.
Customers are alerted to fraudulent messages and websites pretending to be the bank by FAB.
Instead, close the message and proceed directly to FAB’s official website or contact the bank via its published customer care.
Conclusion
As with any balance check, the most important thing to remember is that NBAD is now a part of First Abu Dhabi Bank. So make sure that customers of NBAD are not looking for obsolete NBAD banking systems, but rather utilizing the existing FAB services.
FAB Mobile and FAB Online banking are the most convenient electronic alternatives to a regular former NBAD bank account. If you are using a Ratibi salary card, log in to FAB’s official Ratibi page and click on the dedicated prepaid card balance enquiry service.
Most of all, please check the balance check instructions with the official FAB and NEVER enter an OTP, PIN, or banking password on an unverified website or person. FAB is also alerting its users to the signs of fraudulent communication and websites modeling the bank.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is NBAD still a separate bank?
The NBAD was merged with First Gulf Bank in 2017 to form the First Abu Dhabi Bank. The merger information provided by FAB clearly indicates that the merged institution would be known as FAB.
How do I perform an NBAD balance check now?
If you have a former NBAD bank account, use the current FAB digital-banking services. If you use a Ratibi prepaid salary card, visit FAB’s official Ratibi page and click the link provided in the “Balance-enquiry service” section.
Can I check a Ratibi salary-card balance online?
Yes. If you have a prepaid card, then you can find a link to check the balance of your prepaid card on FAB’s official Ratibi page.
Do I need a bank account to have a Ratibi card?
No. FAB clearly says that with the card, eligible employees can get paid without the need for a bank account.
Can I use FAB Mobile to check my account balance?
Yes. According to FAB, FAB Mobile can be used to check card balances, manage accounts and cards, and more.
What is the FAB customer-care number?
FAB’s internal number inthe UAE is 600 52 5500. For customers outside the UAE, it lists +971 2 681 1511. (
Should I share my OTP to complete a balance enquiry?
No. FAB explicitly recommends to its customers that they NEVER share OTPs or account details with anyone claiming to be from the bank.