DUBAI, March 5 (Reuters) - First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB.AD) is planning to restructure its operations by splitting them into four new divisions, aiming to strengthen its business in the Gulf and enhance shareholder returns, according to two sources familiar with the matter.

As part of this reorganization, the bank is set to appoint Citi dealmaking veteran Linos Lekkas as its new Head of Investment Banking, the sources said.

The restructuring marks the latest move by CEO Hana Al Rostamani to drive faster growth at the bank, following a series of senior management departures in recent years.

FAB declined to comment, while Lekkas was not immediately available for comment.

Under the new structure, the bank will be divided into four main units instead of the current five: Investment Banking & Markets, Wholesale Banking, International Banking, and Personal, Wealth & Business Banking.

Martin Tricaud, the current Head of Investment Banking, will take on a new role leading the Wholesale Banking division, according to the sources, who requested anonymity as they were not authorized to speak to the media.

Bloomberg first reported the bank’s restructuring plans, citing an internal memo to staff.

Since Al Rostamani took over as CEO in 2021, FAB has seen multiple senior management changes. In January, Reuters reported that the bank’s Head of Global Markets, Sameh Al Qubaisi, and its Chief Operating Officer, Suhail Bin Tarraf, were set to leave the lender.

Additionally, the bank’s Head of Mergers & Acquisitions and Corporate Development, Eric Shehadeh, who was appointed in mid-2023, departed after less than a year in the role.

FAB has been seeking to expand beyond the Gulf region. Two years ago, it revealed that it had considered making a bid for London-listed Standard Chartered (STAN.L).