NBAD Renews Yas Marina Circuit Sponsorship

The National Bank of Abu Dhabi (NBAD), the Official Bank of the Formula 1™ Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, has renewed its sponsorship commitment to Yas Marina Circuit as Founding Partner of the state-of-the-art Circuit.

(L to R) Abdulla M.S. AbdulRaheem, the Deputy Group Chief Executive of NBAD, Ms. May Ibrahim Bumajeed, the Deputy Head of Corporate Communication Department at NBAD, and Richard Cregan, Chief Executive Officer of Yas Marina Circuit.

Yas Marina Circuit, which hosts the annual Formula 1™ race and several other tournaments, is rated one of the best racing circuit in the world. The 50,000-seat circuit is located on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. Its construction began in 2007 and was completed within two years.

Since 2009, the first year Abu Dhabi hosted the Formula 1 race; NBAD has sponsored Yas Marina Circuit’s activities and the Formula 1™ Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, one of the most anticipated events on the international sporting calendar.

As the Official Bank of the 2012 Formula 1™ Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and Founding Partner of Yas Marina Circuit, NBAD contributes to the organisation of a variety of events held at the Circuit.

“The National Bank of Abu Dhabi (NBAD) is committed to supporting strategies that propel Abu Dhabi to a global hub of commerce and culture; the Yas Marina Circuit and the Formula 1 Grand Prix are essential pillars of this strategy,” says Abdulla M.S. AbdulRaheem, the Deputy Group Chief Executive of NBAD.

“The successful hosting of the Formula 1™ Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix confirmed that Abu Dhabi is a leading international city with world class sporting and recreational facilities; and NBAD is proud to continue its sponsorship of Yas Marina Circuit and the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.”

The 2012 Formula 1™ Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will commence November 2, continues on 3 and concludes on November 4.

“NBAD is an integral part of Abu Dhabi’s fabric and the Bank is committed to support projects and events that promote Abu Dhabi and the wider UAE,” says Mr. AbdulRaheem.

The 2012 Formula 1™ Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is the fourth year in a row that Formula 1™ will return to Abu Dhabi and also the fourth time that NBAD is the official Bank of this highly anticipated international sporting event.

Richard Cregan, Chief Executive Officer of Yas Marina Circuit said that “the support of NBAD is integral to the ongoing success of both the Circuit and the Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix”. “In four short years, the Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix has solidified its reputation as one of the world’s most exciting F1 races”.

"The year-round success of Yas Marina Circuit is thanks to the ongoing support of partners such as NBAD, who together with the wider Abu Dhabi community, have embraced the potential of the circuit as a sporting, community and events venue."

Formula 1, held annually in more than a dozen cities across the globe, is a major global event and a brand association with it is highly prized.

“NBAD’s sponsorship of Yas Marina Circuit and Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix confirms the Bank’s association with world class events and enhances the NBAD’s reach to the global audience in line with our international expansion,” adds Mr. AbdulRaheem.

NBAD has the widest international network among UAE banks. This year it expanded to China and Malaysia stretching the network across 15 countries on four continents from the Far East to North America.

Founded in 1968, NBAD has been playing a significant and leading role in the economic and social development of the UAE as well as fulfilling customers’ requirements. Over the last four decades, NBAD contributed to the United Arab Emirates becoming a leading emerging economy within a very short period of time. NBAD has been ranked in 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2012 one of the World’s 50 Safest Banks, and the Safest Bank in the Middle East, by the prestigious Global Finance.