UAE Banking Sector Demonstrates Resilience as Industry Leaders Chart Growth Course
The UAE Banks Federation's CEO Consultative Council has reaffirmed the strength of the national banking sector, highlighting robust capital positions and steady asset growth under the framework of sound regulatory oversight.
The CEOs Consultative Council of the UAE Banks Federation convened for its second regular meeting of 2026, with proceedings chaired by Mohammed Omran Al Shamsi, Vice Chairman of the Federation and Chairman of RAKBANK. The gathering brought together senior banking executives to assess sectoral performance and chart the industry’s strategic direction amid evolving global economic conditions.
Council members affirmed the pronounced strength and resilience characterising the nation’s banking and financial ecosystem, attributing these qualities to the forward-thinking vision and proactive governance framework established by the Central Bank of the UAE. This institutional architecture has enabled local banking institutions to navigate international challenges whilst remaining meaningfully aligned with the UAE’s overarching strategic priorities.
A comprehensive review of achievements accumulated during the opening nine months of 2026 demonstrated the sector’s sustained momentum. The Federation outlined its contemporary initiatives and projects, designed to maintain pace with emerging developments whilst elevating the calibre of banking services available to customers across all demographic and commercial segments. These endeavours reflect the Federation’s broader commitment to fostering a banking experience characterised by sophistication, security and seamless functionality, complementing the Central Bank’s vision of establishing the UAE as a pre-eminent global financial centre.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr Al Shamsi emphasised the banking sector’s demonstrable capacity to sustain robust performance despite considerable global economic headwinds. He underscored the effectiveness of frameworks supporting socio-economic development and reaffirmed the industry’s commitment to strategic priorities encompassing Emiratisation, human capital development, digital transformation, sustainability and inclusive financial access.
The Council highlighted the sector’s sustained financial soundness, characterised by steadfast capital adequacy, prudent provisioning arrangements and substantial reserve positions. The continued expansion of banking assets further underscores the UAE’s institutional maturity and the efficacy of policies nurturing sectoral development.
A particularly notable emphasis emerged regarding Emiratisation initiatives. The Council celebrated the remarkable achievement whereby member banks exceeded Emiratisation targets by 160 per cent during 2025, and reaffirmed collective commitment to expanding opportunities for UAE nationals whilst sustaining comprehensive professional development programmes enabling Emirati banking professionals to maintain contemporary expertise.
Additionally, Council deliberations underscored the Federation’s dedication to supporting small and medium-sized enterprises—acknowledged as fundamental catalysts for economic diversification—whilst advancing innovative sustainable finance solutions aligned with global development objectives. The sector’s commitment to robust digital infrastructure protection and technological advancement was similarly emphasised, ensuring the delivery of premium banking and financial services remains uncompromised.
Jamal Saleh, Director General of the UAE Banks Federation, provided comprehensive commentary on sectoral performance and the Federation’s achievements throughout the nine-month period. He articulated the significance of the consultative platforms in facilitating stakeholder coordination and expertise sharing, thereby reinforcing the UAE’s established position as a global banking and financial authority. Mr Saleh concluded by reaffirming the sector’s commitment to sustaining growth momentum whilst upholding exacting standards of governance, transparency and regulatory compliance.
Source: WAM