CBUAE Fines Foreign Bank Branch Dh200 Million Over Money Laundering Breaches

The Central Bank of the UAE has imposed a Dh200 million fine on an authorized foreign bank branch over recurring anti-money laundering violations. Individual fines of Dh500,000 and Dh300,000 were also issued against the bank's CEO and compliance head, respectively. Regulators mandated independent remediation and a Fit and Proper reassessment of branch leadership.

Published November 1, 2026 Source: The National

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Issuing authority: Central Bank of the UAE
Jurisdiction: United Arab Emirates
Stage: Final rule
Official document: Federal Decree Law Regarding the Central Bank and Organisation of Financial Institutions and Activities
Official source: www.arabianbusiness.com

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The Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) has levied a Dh200 million ($54.5 million) penalty on an authorized branch of a foreign bank for breaching federal anti-money laundering regulations. The enforcement measure was executed under the Federal Decree Law Regarding the Central Bank and Organisation of Financial Institutions and Activities following examinations that uncovered recurring compliance failures.

In addition to the institutional penalty, the banking regulator imposed individual financial sanctions on key personnel. The branch's chief executive officer received a fine of Dh500,000, while its head of compliance and money laundering reporting officer was fined Dh300,000.

Under the CBUAE's enforcement directives, the institution must complete a mandatory remediation programme validated by independent inspectors. Regulators have also ordered a formal Fit and Proper reassessment of the branch's leadership.