• Bank recognised for contribution to regional wealth management industry

• Lauded for innovation and holistic wealth management

• Underlines bank’s sustainable investment offerings for HNWIs

Emirates NBD, the Middle East’s largest bank by asset size, has been recognised by Arabian Business magazine as the “Best Private Bank - Middle East” for its dedication to advancing and strengthening the wealth management industry, and its reputation as a bank of choice for high net worth individuals (HNWIs).

The 10th Arabian Business Awards, held at Grosvenor House, Dubai, on December 14, 2009, recognised successful businesses and individuals across the UAE who have demonstrated resilience in the face of the global financial crisis. The award presented to Emirates NBD highlights the bank’s enhanced focus on Private Banking services, especially during a period when capital preservation has never been more critical to the bank’s clients.

“Winning this prestigious award is a great honour and represents our clearly defined investment strategies, continued growth and leading position among GCC private banks,” said Saif Al Mansoori, Head – Group Business Marketing at Emirates NBD. “We enhanced our focus on private banking earlier this year with a view to offering our clients more sustainable investment opportunities, especially in the challenging global economic climate.”

Robbert Jan Voogt, General Manager, Private Banking, at Emirates NBD commented on the award: “With a solid track record in understanding the needs of, and serving HNWIs, we look forward to further strengthening our private banking services through innovation, holistic wealth management practices, stronger client relationship and impeccable service delivery.”

He added: “With a team of over 50 highly qualified and experienced private bankers and a robust investment team, Emirates NBD aims to become the Private Bank of choice in the region and beyond.”

Other Private Banking accolades the bank has accumulated include “Best Private Bank” in the UAE for 2009, 2007 and 2006 by Euromoney. Emirates NBD has also been named “Best Bank in the UAE” by The Banker Middle East, “Best Retail Bank in UAE” by the Asian Banker and has won the coveted “Bank Quality Recognition” award by JP Morgan Chase.

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About Emirates NBD:

Emirates NBD (DFM: EMIRATESNBD) is the largest banking group in the Middle East by assets. As of December 31, 2008, the bank’s total assets stood at AED 282.4 billion and its combined market share at 20.5 per cent.

The Group has a leading retail banking franchise in the UAE, with 129 branches and 651 ATMs. It is a major player in the UAE corporate banking arena, with a combined market share of almost one-fifth of corporate loans. It also has strong Islamic banking, investment banking, private banking, asset management and brokerage operations.

The Group has operations in the UAE, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Kingdom and Jersey (Channel Islands), and representative offices in India, Iran and Singapore. For more information, please visit: www.emiratesnbd.com.

For further information, please contact:

Hassan Al Khuwaildi

Public Relations Officer

Group Business Marketing

Emirates NBD

Tel: 971-4-2092263

Fax: 971-4-2329147

Email: HassanAl@emiratesbank.ae

Sudha Hemmad / Parisa Ansarian

ASDA’A Burson-Marsteller

Dubai, UAE

Tel: 971-4-3355969

Fax: 971-4-3356080

Email: s.hemmad@asdaa.com / p.ansarian@asdaa.com