ABU DHABI, 1 March 2004 - Profits surged to a record 805.2 million dirhams ($219.4 million) at the National Bank of Abu Dhabi (NBAD) in 2003, some 23 percent up on the previous year and the highest reported profits among buoyant Emirati banks, the company announced yesterday. Total assets increased 11.7 percent to 43.6 billion dirhams ($11.9 billion). "NBAD's excellent results reflect the focus of our rolling five-year strategy," said Chief Executive Michael Tomalin.