Emirates NBD secures $2.25b in long-term financing amid strong global demand

Dubai: Emirates NBD has closed $2.25 billion in long-term financing, drawing strong participation from international lenders as it seeks to diversify funding and strengthen liquidity.

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The transaction comprises a $1.75 billion five-year sustainability-linked syndicated term loan and a $500 million five-year club commodity Murabaha facility, making it one of the largest syndicated borrowings in the Gulf region.

The sustainability-linked loan was initially launched at $1 billion but was more than twice oversubscribed, allowing the bank to increase the size to $1.75 billion. The facility also achieved the tightest pricing in the bank’s history for a syndicated loan, alongside an extended tenor.

The financing comes as banks in the region tap global markets to secure longer-term funding amid a volatile macroeconomic backdrop.

The combined transaction attracted 15 financial institutions from the Americas, Europe and Asia, underscoring continued investor appetite for Gulf credit.

The oversubscription reflects confidence in Emirates NBD’s balance sheet strength and financial management, as well as broader confidence in the UAE’s banking sector.

Shayne Nelson, group chief executive officer, said the deal reinforces the bank’s standing in international loan markets.

“Strong oversubscription from international lenders, together with tight pricing, reflects continued market confidence in the UAE’s financial sector and in our ability to access diversified funding at competitive terms,” Nelson said.

The bank said the financing will enhance its liquidity position and provide long-term US dollar funding to support growth and shareholder value.

Ahmed Al Qassim, group head of wholesale banking, said the syndication strengthens the bank’s funding profile.

“It enhances our long-term USD funding profile and supports strategic growth priorities while delivering sustainable value,” he said.

The $500 million Murabaha facility was arranged through Emirates Islamic, the group’s Islamic banking arm.

The deal achieved competitive pricing among regional Islamic lenders and was completed within an accelerated timeframe, reflecting strong execution and coordination.

The transaction follows a series of recent funding activities by the group, including a $750 million seven-year Asian financing completed in February 2026 and the issuance of a sustainability-linked sukuk by Emirates Islamic in 2025.

Together, these transactions highlight the bank’s activity across conventional and Shariah-compliant financing, as well as its focus on integrating sustainability into funding strategies.

Bank of America, BNP Paribas, DBS Bank and Emirates NBD Capital acted as coordinators, bookrunners and sustainability coordinators for the transaction.

Emirates NBD Capital also acted as sole coordinator for the Islamic financing component.

The deal reinforces Emirates NBD’s presence in international loan markets as it continues to tap global liquidity pools to support long-term growth.