NBAD Balance Inquiry: How to Check Your FAB, Ratibi and Prepaid Card Balance (2026)
Quick Answer
Ratibi or prepaid salary card: Go to the official balance portal at ppc.magnati.com/ppc-inquiry. Enter the digits of your card number it asks for and the Card ID printed on your card, then tap Go. No login or app is needed.
Full FAB bank account: Open the FAB Mobile app or FAB online banking and your balance appears on the dashboard.
No internet: Insert your card at any FAB ATM, enter your PIN and choose Balance Inquiry. You can also call the Ratibi helpline on 600 52 2298.
That covers most cases. The rest of this guide explains which method fits your card, what to do if your salary is missing, and how to avoid the mistakes that block most people.
Why You Still See “NBAD” on Your Card
National Bank of Abu Dhabi (NBAD) no longer exists as a separate bank. NBAD was founded in 1968 and merged with First Gulf Bank (FGB) to form First Abu Dhabi Bank, and the combined bank started operating under the FAB name in April 2017.
So the NBAD bank you remember is now FAB. Your card may still carry the old NBAD logo, but your balance, salary credits and transactions all run on FAB systems. That’s why an NBAD balance inquiry, a FAB balance enquiry and an “Abu Dhabi National Bank balance enquiry” (a common way people reverse the name when searching) are all the same task.
The NBAD name also survives in FAB’s SWIFT code. FAB kept NBAD’s code after the merger, so international transfers to any FAB account still use NBADAEAA, or NBADAEAAXXX where a form asks for 11 characters. The first four letters (NBAD) identify the bank, AE is the UAE and AA is the Abu Dhabi location code. If a relative abroad is sending money to your FAB account and asks for the “NBAD code”, this is it. Some branches and departments use their own 11-character codes, so if your account documents show a branch-specific code, use that one. FAB also offers an IBAN and SWIFT tool on its website.
FAB today is the UAE’s largest bank. Its total assets stood at AED 1.41 trillion at the end of June 2026, according to FAB’s H1 2026 results. FAB is listed on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange and is rated Aa3/AA-/AA- by Moody’s, S&P and Fitch, which is useful context if you’re wondering whether salary money on an old NBAD card is safe. It is.
Step 1: Know Which Card You Have
Most failed balance checks happen because people use a method built for a different card type. Check this first:
| Your card | What it is | Best way to check balance |
| Ratibi card | FAB’s WPS payroll card for workers without a bank account | Magnati PPC portal, FAB ATM, Ratibi helpline, Payit |
| Other NBAD/FAB prepaid card | Reloadable prepaid card | Magnati PPC portal, ATM |
| FAB debit card with bank account | Savings or current account | FAB Mobile app, online banking, ATM |
| FAB credit card | Credit account | FAB Mobile app, online banking, customer care |
Simple rule: if you never opened a bank account and your company gave you the card, you most likely have a Ratibi or prepaid card. Use the portal, not the banking app.
Method 1: Online PPC Portal (Best for Ratibi and NBAD Prepaid Cards)
This is the fastest way to complete an NBAD balance inquiry online for salary and prepaid cards. The “PPC” in PPC NBAD balance check simply stands for Prepaid Card. FAB’s own Ratibi Prepaid Card page links directly to the Ratibi Prepaid Card Balance Enquiry at ppc.magnati.com/ppc-inquiry. Magnati is the payments company that processes FAB’s prepaid cards.
Steps:
- Open ppc.magnati.com/ppc-inquiry in any browser, or reach it through the Ratibi page on bankfab.com to be sure you’re on the genuine site.
- In the first box, enter the digits of your card number that the page asks for.
- In the second box, enter your Card ID exactly as printed on your card.
- Complete the captcha.
- Tap Go. Your available balance and recent transactions appear on screen.
Card ID vs card number (the most common mistake): your card number is the long 16-digit number across the front. The Card ID is a separate, shorter code printed elsewhere on the card. Entering the full card number in the Card ID box is the number one reason for an “invalid details” error.
Tip: users commonly report that the portal slows down around salary days at the end of the month, when most salary files are processed. If it won’t load, try again later or use an ATM.
This method works the same for Ratibi check balance, NBAD prepaid enquiry and NBAD Ratibi balance enquiry, because all of them sit on the same prepaid platform.
Method 2: FAB Mobile App and Online Banking (Full Account Holders)
If you hold a regular FAB account, the app is the quickest option.
- Download FAB Mobile from the App Store, Google Play or Huawei AppGallery.
- Register with your Emirates ID and card details, or log in with your username, Face ID or fingerprint.
- Enter the OTP sent to your registered mobile number.
- Your balance shows on the home screen. Tap any account or card for recent transactions.
On a desktop, use FAB Personal Online Banking from the Login menu on bankfab.com.
Ratibi cards usually don’t appear in the full banking app, so stick with the portal or Payit for those. For every account-level channel in detail, see our full guide to FAB balance check online.
Method 3: NBAD ATM / FAB ATM Balance Check (Works Without Internet)
Any card type works at the ATM, and it’s the most reliable option on payday.
- Insert your card into a FAB ATM (older machines may still show NBAD branding).
- Choose English or Arabic.
- Enter your 4-digit PIN.
- Select Balance Inquiry.
- Read the balance on screen or print a receipt.
Ratibi holders get free 24/7 access to FAB’s ATM and cash deposit machine network, which FAB describes as the largest in the country. Using another bank’s ATM may cost a small fee, so check the current FAB fee schedule if you do this often. To find the nearest NBAD ATM, use the FAB branch and ATM locator. Our guide to ATM balance check explains how this works across other UAE banks too.
Ratibi PIN tip: Ratibi cardholders can set their own PIN at FAB ATMs. Entering the wrong PIN several times will block the card, so stop after two failed tries and call the helpline.
Method 4: Call FAB (Balance Check by Phone)
If you’re searching for the FAB salary card balance check number, these are the official numbers listed on the FAB website:
| Service | Inside UAE | Outside UAE |
| Ratibi card service | 600 52 2298 | +971 2 499 6279 |
| FAB general customer care | 600 52 5500 | +971 2 681 1511 |
| Payit wallet support | 600 54 3329 | +971 2 499 6411 |
| FAB Islamic | 800 2200 | +971 2 499 6299 |
| POS (merchant terminals) | 02 410 4888 | +971 2 410 4888 |
All of these numbers are published on FAB’s official Contact Us page, and the Ratibi and general numbers also appear on the Ratibi card page. Call from your registered mobile number so verification is faster, then follow the menu for balance inquiry or ask for an agent.
Use the Ratibi line for a blocked card, lost card, missing salary or wrong balance. Use general care for full accounts and credit cards.
Method 5: SMS Banking
SMS works on basic phones with no internet, but only if your mobile number is registered with FAB. Several guides report the format as BAL followed by a space and the last four digits of your account, sent to 2121. FAB can change keywords and shortcodes by card program, so confirm the current format with customer care before relying on it. Your telecom provider may charge its standard SMS rate.
Separately, Ratibi cardholders receive free SMS alerts on every salary credit, so the fastest salary check is often simply watching for that text.
Method 6: Payit Wallet
Payit is FAB’s digital wallet, with its own support line on 600 54 3329. After you register with your mobile number and link your Ratibi or prepaid card, it shows your balance in real time and lets you pay bills and send money. Download only the official Payit app from your phone’s app store.
Method 7: POS Terminals in Shops
Some retail point-of-sale terminals, particularly in hypermarkets and exchange houses that serve salary card holders, offer a balance option. Insert or tap your card, choose the balance enquiry option if the cashier’s terminal shows one, and enter your PIN. Availability depends on the merchant’s terminal, so treat this as a backup rather than a main method, and never hand over your PIN to the cashier.
Method 8: FAB Branch
Take your Emirates ID and card to any FAB branch. Staff can confirm your balance, print a statement, update your mobile number or replace a damaged card. This is the slowest route but the best one for problems the other channels can’t fix.
All Methods Compared
| Method | Speed | Needs internet | Best for |
| Magnati PPC portal | About 1 minute | Yes | Ratibi and prepaid cards |
| FAB Mobile app | Seconds | Yes | Full FAB accounts |
| ATM | Under 1 minute | No | Every card type |
| Phone | 2 to 5 minutes | No | Problems and support |
| SMS | Seconds, if registered | No | Basic phones |
| Payit | Seconds | Yes | Ratibi users who want an app |
| POS terminal | Under 1 minute | No | Backup while shopping |
| Branch | Slowest | No | Replacements, statements, updates |
Available Balance vs Ledger Balance
Two numbers can confuse people, especially in the FAB app. The available balance is what you can spend or withdraw right now. The ledger (current) balance also includes transactions that are still pending, such as a fuel station authorisation, a hotel hold or a card payment not yet settled. If the two numbers differ, the gap is usually a pending transaction that will clear within a few days. For spending decisions, always go by the available balance.
NBAD Salary Checking: Why Your Salary May Not Show Yet
A zero balance on payday is usually a timing issue, not a card fault. The Wage Protection System (WPS), which has run since 2009, changed twice in the past year.
December 2025: WPS moved to real time. MoHRE launched an upgraded WPS with the Central Bank of the UAE and Al Etihad Payments, the national payments company owned by the Central Bank. Establishments transfer around AED 35 billion a month through the system to pay private-sector wages. The upgrade replaced batch file processing with real-time checks, added instant salary transfers through Aani (the UAE’s 24/7 instant payments platform) and links to Jaywan, the national card scheme. Launch partners included e& Group, Botim, Al Ansari Exchange, Lulu Exchange, GCC Exchange and Al Maryah Community Bank.
June 2026: one fixed salary date. MoHRE issued Ministerial Resolution No. 0340 of 2026 on 12 May 2026, effective 1 June 2026, replacing the 2022 WPS resolution. The key points for workers:
- Salary date: wages must be paid no later than the first day of each Gregorian month for the previous month.
- No more grace period: the old 15-day grace period has been removed.
- New employees are covered immediately: the exemption for new employees during their first 30 days has been removed.
- Compliance threshold: a company is considered compliant if it pays at least 85% of total wages due by the deadline.
- Automatic enforcement: MoHRE monitors payroll from the due date, can send alerts from the second day, and can suspend new work permits on the fifth day.
You can read the official wage rules on the UAE Government portal page on payment of wages and WPS.
What to do if your salary is missing:
- Check again later that day or the next morning. Credits can post in the evening.
- Ask your HR or payroll team whether the salary file was submitted.
- If HR confirms payment and the balance is still zero after 24 hours, call the Ratibi line on 600 52 2298.
- If your employer hasn’t paid, you can contact MoHRE on 800 60.
Ratibi Card Benefits Most Holders Don’t Know About
Checking your balance is the main reason people look up the Ratibi card, but the card carries benefits worth knowing. According to FAB’s Ratibi page:
- Who gets it: employees earning up to AED 5,000 a month, who receive their salary without needing a bank account.
- No fees to hold it: no minimum balance requirement and no monthly charges.
- Accident insurance: in case of death or permanent total disability from an accident, 5 times the monthly salary up to AED 25,000.
- Hospital cash: AED 50 per day for accident hospitalisation of at least 24 hours, for up to 30 days and a total of AED 1,500.
- Repatriation: actual expenses for repatriation of mortal remains, up to AED 5,000.
- Where it works: at all ATMs, in stores, online and across Visa/Mastercard networks worldwide.
- Deposits too: you can deposit and withdraw cash through FAB’s ATM and cash deposit machine network.
One detail employers and workers often miss: cards retained by an ATM are destroyed by the receiving bank, and the employer must apply for a replacement. If an ATM swallows your card, tell HR the same day.
Who Can Get a Ratibi Card
You can’t apply for a Ratibi card on your own. Your employer applies for it. FAB’s eligibility rules are:
- The employer must hold a corporate account with FAB.
- The employee must be a UAE resident.
- The employee’s KYC (Know Your Customer) details must be complete and up to date.
The employer submits the Ratibi application form and an employee details sheet at a FAB branch, and remains the main point of contact between you and the bank. That’s why many card issues, such as replacements, are handled through HR. When you leave the job, the employer files a Ratibi WPS cancellation request, so withdraw or transfer your remaining balance before your last day.
Fees at a Glance
| Action | Typical cost |
| Balance check on PPC portal | Free |
| Balance check in FAB Mobile | Free |
| Balance check at FAB ATM | Free |
| Balance check at another bank’s ATM | Small fee may apply |
| SMS balance request | Your telecom’s standard SMS rate |
| Salary credit SMS alert (Ratibi) | Free |
Fees can change, so check the Personal Banking Fees document on bankfab.com before using a paid channel.
Common Problems and Fixes
“Invalid card details” on the portal. You probably entered the 16-digit card number in the Card ID box. Re-check both fields.
Portal won’t load. Traffic peaks around salary days. Wait and retry, or use an ATM.
Balance lower than expected. Recent card payments or pending holds reduce your available balance. Pending amounts usually clear within a few days.
OTP not received. Check that the SIM linked to your account is active, has signal and isn’t out of credit. Wait a minute before requesting a new code, because repeated requests can lock the process. If it still fails, call FAB customer care to confirm your registered number.
App not updating or showing old balance. Update FAB Mobile to the latest version, close and reopen it, and switch between Wi-Fi and mobile data. If a Ratibi card doesn’t appear at all, that’s normal. Use the portal or Payit instead.
Need to change your registered mobile number. For a Ratibi card, the number is tied to your salary record, so it’s usually updated at a FAB branch with your Emirates ID, or through your employer’s HR. Full account holders can update it at a branch or through customer care after verification.
Card blocked after wrong PIN. Call 600 52 2298 with your Emirates ID ready. A branch visit may be needed.
Card lost or stolen. Call the Ratibi line or FAB customer care immediately to block it, then inform HR for a replacement.
Card expired. Salary can’t be credited to an expired card. Ask HR to arrange a renewal before the expiry month.
