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Credit Suisse, UBS to work with Abu Dhabi banks

London - Credit Suisse and UBS, which have scaled back from the Gulf since the financial crisis, are advising on the potential merger of Abu Dhabi’s two largest banks, according to people with knowledge of the matter.

Credit Suisse is advising National Bank of Abu Dhabi on the combination while UBS is working with First Gulf Bank, said the people, asking not to be identified because the information is private. Saad Benani is head of investment banking for Credit Suisse in the region, while Alberto Palombi is his counterpart at UBS.

Credit Suisse, UBS, NBAD, and FGB declined to comment.

National Bank of Abu Dhabi and First Gulf Bank said they’re in talks to merge in a deal that would create the largest lender by assets in the Middle East.

A working group of senior executives from each bank is reviewing the commercial, structural and legal aspects, according to a filing to the Abu Dhabi stock exchange on Sunday. Bloomberg News was first to report the two banks were considering a potential merger on June 16.

Shares of both lenders surged on the news on Sunday, adding more than $4bn of value to Abu Dhabi banking stocks.

Credit Suisse and UBS were among banks that reduced investment banking operations in the Middle East as deal-making slowed after the global financial crisis.

Credit Suisse plans to shrink parts of its investment bank and focus on growth in Asia and wealth management, chief executive officer Tidjane Thiam said last year.

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