A balance enquiry is a check of how much money is in your account or on your card right now. This guide explains what it means, lists every way to do one for First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB), and gives the fastest method for your situation — at home, with no internet, abroad, or with no smartphone.
FAB was formed in April 2017 when First Gulf Bank and National Bank of Abu Dhabi (NBAD) merged. NBAD no longer exists as a separate bank. FAB is licensed and regulated by the Central Bank of the UAE. Its official website is bankfab.com — type it yourself, and never follow a balance-check link sent by SMS or email.
What Does “Balance Enquiry” Mean?
A balance enquiry asks one question: what is my balance right now? The answer is usually your available balance — the money you can spend or withdraw now. Some channels also show a ledger balance, the total including amounts still being processed.
A balance enquiry is not a statement. A statement is a full record over a period, showing money in, money out and the balance at the end. A mini-statement is shorter — usually your most recent transactions. An enquiry gives you a figure; a statement gives you the story behind it. If you want to know whether you can afford a purchase, do an enquiry. If you want to know where your money went, check a statement.
Every Balance Enquiry Channel in One Place
Here are all the ways to check a FAB balance. The right one depends on what you hold — a bank account or a prepaid salary card.
How to check in the FAB Mobile app
FAB Mobile app: fastest for account holders. On the App Store, Google Play and Huawei AppGallery. After login, balances appear on the home screen. The app also manages accounts and cards, shows transactions with logos, categories and smart filters, and sends real-time alerts.
How to check in FAB Online Banking
FAB Online Banking: best on a computer. At bankfab.com, sign in and open the Accounts view. You can also view and download statements.
How to check at a FAB ATM
FAB ATM: insert your card, enter your PIN, and select Balance Inquiry. The ATM shows your balance, and you can request a mini-statement. Checks at FAB ATMs are free.
How to check by phone
Phone banking: call 600 52 5500 in the UAE, or +971 2 681 1511 from outside the UAE. Those numbers were verified on bankfab.com on 2026-11-07.
How to check on the PPC portal
PPC portal: for prepaid salary cards only, including Ratibi. Use https://ppc.bankfab.com/PPCInquiry/ or https://ppc.magnati.com/ppc-inquiry/. No registration or app is needed. See our Ratibi card balance check guide for the full steps.
How to check in the Payit app
Payit app: FAB’s wallet app. Ratibi cardholders register in Payit as a “Ratibi Cardholder”: download Payit, select “Ratibi Cardholder”, scan your Emirates ID, confirm your details, then add your card ID and the last 2 digits of your card number, enter your mobile number, enter the 6-digit SMS code, and create a 4-digit PIN.
How to check by SMS banking
SMS banking: text BAL plus the last 4 digits of your card to 2121 from your registered mobile number.
|
Method |
Best for |
Key detail |
|
FAB Mobile app |
Fastest for account holders |
After login, balances appear on the home screen |
|
FAB Online Banking |
Best on a computer |
At bankfab.com, sign in and open the Accounts view |
|
FAB ATM |
Without internet |
Insert your card, enter your PIN, and select Balance Inquiry |
|
Phone banking |
When you are abroad |
Call 600 52 5500 in the UAE, or +971 2 681 1511 from outside the UAE |
|
PPC portal |
For prepaid salary cards only, including Ratibi |
No registration or app is needed |
|
Payit app |
Ratibi cardholders |
Register in Payit as a Ratibi Cardholder |
|
SMS banking |
From your registered mobile number |
Text BAL plus the last 4 digits of your card to 2121 |
Account or Card? Check the Right One
A bank account balance is checked in the app, online banking, at an ATM, or by phone. A prepaid salary card balance — Ratibi, Lulu salary card, or another WPS card — is checked on the PPC portal, at an ATM, or in the Payit app. The app may not show a balance for a card-only product, because there is no bank account behind it.
If you hold both, check each separately. The app shows the account; the portal shows the card. See our FAB bank balance check guide and FAB salary card balance check guide.
Fastest Method by Situation
At home with your phone: the FAB Mobile app. For a prepaid card, use the PPC portal in your phone’s browser instead.
On a computer: FAB Online Banking at bankfab.com. Best when you also want statements.
No internet: a FAB ATM, or phone banking on 600 52 5500. Both work without internet.
Abroad: the app, online banking, or the PPC portal, all of which work anywhere with internet. By phone, call +971 2 681 1511.
No smartphone: an ATM or phone banking. Neither needs a smartphone.
In a hurry, out and about: a FAB ATM if one is nearby, or the app on your phone. Both take under a minute.
Checking an older balance: online banking statements, or a mini-statement from an ATM.
See our FAB balance check online guide and FAB Balance Check.
Available Balance vs Ledger Balance
Many people see two different figures and worry one is wrong. Usually both are correct. Your available balance is the money you can spend or withdraw now. Your ledger balance is the total, including amounts still being processed. The two can differ while a payment is pending.
Use your available balance for spending decisions. If the gap is large or does not close after a few days, call FAB on 600 52 5500.
What to Do If Your Balance Looks Wrong
First, check you looked at the right account or card, and compare available with ledger balance. Second, check recent transactions in the app, online banking, or on a mini-statement.
If a transaction is still unexplained, call FAB on 600 52 5500 in the UAE or +971 2 681 1511 from abroad. If your salary has not arrived on a salary card, check the PPC portal, then ask your employer when it was sent. Under the UAE Wage Protection System, your salary for a month is due on the 1st of the following month (MOHRE Ministerial Resolution No. 340 of 2026, in force 1 June 2026). Your employer may pay earlier, but if it has not arrived by the 1st, it is late.
Stay Safe When You Enquire
What FAB never asks for
FAB warns that it never asks for your PIN, OTP or password via phone, SMS, email or WhatsApp. Type bankfab.com yourself. Never click a balance-check link in a text or email. Do not enter your PIN, OTP or password on any site other than bankfab.com, the PPC portals, or the official FAB Mobile app.
FAB does not offer balance checks via WhatsApp. In 2026 the Central Bank of the UAE directed all UAE banks to stop using WhatsApp for customer communication and financial services. Never share your PIN or OTP on WhatsApp. If you suspect fraud, call 600 52 5500 or email atyourservice@bankfab.com — the address FAB publishes on its official fraud and security page. If you shared details with a scammer, call FAB on 600 52 5500 immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
This is an independent informational guide. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB). Always confirm balances, fees and procedures through FAB’s official channels at bankfab.com or by calling 600 52 5500.