Arab Bank Switzerland Expands into Dubai to Capture Shifting Wealth

Samir Atitallah, CEO of the newly launched ABS (Middle East) Ltd, notes that the regional investment landscape has undergone a profound transformation. A decade ago, portfolios were heavily weighted toward cash and property; today, clients are prioritizing wealth transfer and aggressive growth strategies. This evolution coincides with data from the EY GCC Wealth Management Industry Report 2025, which identifies over 200,000 high-net-worth individuals in the region, with assets under management projected to grow at an 8 percent annual rate through 2028.

While regional property holdings remain above the global average at 15 percent, there is a visible appetite for private equity, credit, and digital assets. Atitallah suggests that ongoing geopolitical instability has not deterred investment, but rather acted as a catalyst for clients to accelerate diversification across jurisdictions. Leveraging a background spanning Geneva’s private banking sector and the luxury industry, Atitallah aims to bridge the gap between Gulf-based wealth creation and traditional Swiss banking expertise. With the parent group managing nearly $25 billion in assets, the firm is positioning itself to capitalize on the deepening financial corridor between the Middle East and Switzerland.