National banks operating in the United Arab Emirates recorded strong year-on-year growth across key business indicators in August 2026, driven by higher assets, credit, investments, and deposits, according to Central Bank of the UAE figures published by Voice of Emirates.
The central bank's banking indicators report showed that national bank assets rose 13.6% year-on-year to exceed AED 5.150 trillion in August 2026, up from AED 4.532 trillion in August 2025. On a monthly basis, national bank assets increased by AED 66.9 billion (1.3%) compared to AED 5.083 trillion at the end of July 2026.
Total credit issued by national banks reached approximately AED 2.663 trillion by the end of August 2026, representing a 19.2% year-on-year increase (AED 428.4 billion) compared to AED 2.234 trillion in August 2025. Credit expanded 2.7% month-on-month from AED 2.593 trillion in July 2026.
Deposits at national banks expanded by 14.2% year-on-year (AED 396.6 billion) to reach AED 3.181 trillion, compared to AED 2.784 trillion in August 2025, and grew 0.9% month-on-month from AED 3.151 trillion in July. Resident deposits accounted for AED 2.932 trillion (up 13.5% year-on-year), while non-resident deposits reached AED 248.7 billion (up 23.4% year-on-year).
National bank investments rose 16.9% year-on-year to AED 893.2 billion, led by debt securities at AED 423.7 billion, held-to-maturity securities at AED 370.9 billion, and equities at AED 28.1 billion. Foreign banks operating in the country also registered gains, with assets reaching AED 590.8 billion (up 6.6% year-on-year), credit at AED 208.4 billion (up 14%), and deposits reaching AED 353.7 billion (up 2.9% year-on-year).
Sources
- صوت الإمارات · 2026-10-13
