Banking UAE

CBUAE to host 2026 UAE Banks Reception in Bangkok during IMF-World Bank meetings

News Editor 13/10/2026

The Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) will organise the 2026 Annual UAE Banks Reception in Bangkok, Thailand, on Thursday, October 15, in partnership with the Ministry of Finance and the UAE Banks Federation (UBF). The event will take place alongside the Annual Meetings of the International

Banking Business

RAKEZ and RAKBANK Launch UAE’s First 60-Minute Business Account Opening Service

News Editor 01/10/2026

Photo Credit: WAM Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ) and RAKBANK have introduced a new banking service allowing eligible RAKEZ businesses to open a RAKBANK Business Current Account within 60 minutes, marking a first for the UAE. The service is available to qualifying new and existing companies holding a RAKEZ trade licence and is aimed […]

Banking

Sharjah Finance Department enables Jaywan card payments through Tahseel

News Editor 25/08/2026

Photo Credit : WAM The Sharjah Finance Department (SFD) has introduced Jaywan card payments across all channels of its Tahseel system, expanding the payment options available for government transactions. Jaywan, the UAE’s national payment card, can now be used through the Tahseel website, smart application and all Tahseel service centres. The move allows customers to […]

Banking

FAB Introduces Fully Automated Paperless Personal Loan Journey

News Editor 24/08/2026

Photo Credit : WAM First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) has launched its first fully automated and paperless personal loan application journey through an integration with the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources (FAHR). The service provides eligible customers within the FAHR-integrated employer network with an end-to-end digital application process, replacing several

Banking

UAE Banking Assets Reach AED5.3 Trillion as Financial System Remains Resilient

News Editor 17/08/2026

Photo Credit : WAM The Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) has published its Financial Stability Report 2025, highlighting the continued strength and resilience of the country’s financial and banking system. According to the report, the UAE banking sector benefited from strong economic performance, solid capital and liquidity levels, improved asset quality, and sustained

Banking

Emirates NBD Egypt to acquire HSBC Egypt’s retail banking business

News Editor 03/08/2026

Photo Credit : WAM Emirates NBD Egypt has entered into definitive agreements to acquire the retail banking business of HSBC Bank Egypt, in a move aimed at strengthening its position in the country’s banking sector. Emirates NBD Egypt is a wholly owned subsidiary of Emirates NBD Bank, while HSBC Bank Egypt is indirectly owned by […]

Banking

ADIB becomes first bank globally to adopt Visa Threat Intelligence Platform

News Editor 24/07/2026

Photo Credit : WAM Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB) has become the first financial institution worldwide to adopt the Visa Threat Intelligence Platform, a new solution designed to help banks identify cyber risks before they lead to fraud and financial losses. ADIB worked with Visa to develop the platform’s initial use cases and operational framework, […]

Banking UAE

First Abu Dhabi Bank H1 2026 net profit rises 1% to $2.9bn

Miguel Hadchity 23/07/2026

Photo Credit: WAM Dubai, UAE — July 2026 — First Abu Dhabi Bank reported a 1 percent year-on-year increase in net profit for the first half of 2026, reaching AED 10.73 billion ($2.9 billion), while tangible return on equity remained above the group’s medium-term guidance at 18.5 percent. The group’s operating income grew 7 percent year-on-year to AED 19.50 […]

Banking UAE

Dubai Islamic Bank posts AED3.74bn first-half net profit as revenue climbs 10%

News Editor 15/07/2026

Photo Credit : WAM Dubai Islamic Bank (DIB) reported a net profit after tax of AED3.736 billion for the first half of 2026, broadly unchanged from AED3.73 billion recorded during the same period last year, while pre-tax profit increased 1% year-on-year to AED4.334 billion. The UAE’s largest Islamic bank said gross revenue rose 10% to […]

Banking

Arab Bank Switzerland launches DIFC office to expand Middle East wealth management business

News Editor 30/06/2026

Photo Credit : WAM Arab Bank Switzerland has officially launched its new regional entity, ABS (Middle East) Limited, in Dubai International Financial Centre, marking a major step in its long-term expansion strategy across the Middle East. The Geneva-based private banking group said the new office strengthens its presence in the UAE and positions it closer […]

Banking

HSBC launches tokenised deposit service in UAE for round-the-clock corporate transfers

News Editor 22/06/2026

Photo Credit : REUTERS HSBC has rolled out its Tokenised Deposit Service in the UAE, introducing a new blockchain-powered solution that allows eligible corporate and institutional clients to transfer funds instantly across both domestic and international accounts. The new service enables businesses to move money 24 hours a day, seven days a week, using tokenised […]

Banking Business

FAB Partners with Water.org and WaterEquity to Expand Global Water Access

News Editor 04/06/2026

Photo Credit : WAM Ahead of World Environment Day, First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) has announced a strategic partnership with Water.org and its affiliated impact investment manager, WaterEquity, to support greater access to safe water and sanitation in emerging markets. As part of the collaboration, FAB has invested in the WaterEquity Everspring Fund, an open-ended […]

Banking UAE

UAE banks told to strengthen anti-fraud systems beyond OTP security

News Editor 21/05/2026

The Central Bank of the UAE has directed banks and financial institutions across the country to strengthen anti-fraud protection measures and move beyond relying solely on one-time passwords (OTPs) as cyber threats continue to evolve. According to local media reports, the regulator has begun establishing a new Anti-Fraud Operations Centre (CAFOC), a centralised platform

Banking Finance Money UAE

FAB Balance Check Guide (Online, SMS & ATM Methods)

Saba Malik 18/05/2026

For many UAE residents, employees, every salaried employee, and even a small business owner, Keeping track of an account balance has become an important part of managing money because regular Balance Check habits improve financial awareness, reduce stress, and help in making better decisions about money management and financial transactions at any place or moment. […]

Banking

Arada Secures $100 Million Sustainability-Linked Financing From FAB

News Editor 14/05/2026

Photo Credit: WAM Dubai, UAE — Master developer Arada has secured its first sustainability-linked financing facility worth $100 million from First Abu Dhabi Bank, with the agreement backed by Italy’s export credit agency SACE. The five-year Shariah-compliant financing facility will support Arada’s general corporate operations and ongoing development projects across its

Banking

ADCB launches AI-powered mobile banking app to enhance digital banking experience

News Editor 11/05/2026

Photo Credit : WAM Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB) has launched a next-generation mobile banking application powered by advanced artificial intelligence technologies, marking a major step in the bank’s digital transformation strategy. The newly introduced platform features a smart conversational virtual assistant designed to simplify everyday banking through voice and

Banking UAE

ADIB pioneers Open Finance rollout among Islamic banks in the UAE

Maria Rabbani 20/01/2026

Photo Credit: Zawya Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank) has introduced Open Finance, becoming the first Islamic bank in the country to operationalise the model under the UAE’s national Open Finance framework. The rollout supports the Central Bank of the UAE’s AlTareq initiative, which is designed to modernise the financial sector by enabling […]

Banking News UAE

No more OTPs for UAE banking as lenders roll out new in-app payment approvals by 2026

News Editor 17/12/2025

UAE banks are beginning to phase out traditional one-time passwords sent via SMS or email, replacing them with in-app transaction approvals aimed at improving speed and security. The move comes as financial institutions respond to a rise in phishing attempts, SIM-swap scams and OTP interception, which have made text-based verification increasingly vulnerable. Under the new

Banking Finance

Household investment booms in Europe as low bank interest drives a shift

Arnold Pinto 01/09/2025

Ireland leads the continent in growth Households across Europe are increasingly moving money out of low-interest savings bank accounts and into investment assets, with Ireland leading the continent in growth. According to a new study by decentralised exchange ApeX Protocol, Irish household investments rose by 81% between 2021 and 2024—the highest rate among all European

Banking BREAKING NEWS Business

Future Banks Summit in Dubai to examine digital transformation in MENA finance

News Desk 01/06/2025

From June 17-18, 2025 Senior executives from across the banking and financial technology sectors will convene in the UAE for the 4th Annual Future Banks Summit, scheduled to take place on June 17-18, 2025, at the Conrad Dubai. The two-day event, organised by Verve Management, will focus on the growing influence of artificial intelligence, open […]