UAE bank investments rise to $202bn in January 2025

UAE banks reported a 1 per cent month-on-month increase in total investments, rising by AED7.3 billion to reach AED742.9 billion by the end of January.
This represents a 16.1 per cent growth compared to January 2024, according to the Central Bank of the UAE 's latest banking indicators.
Investments in securities representing debt on others grew to AED332.3 billion, marking a 26.1 per cent annual increase, according to a statement by the Emirates News Agency (WAM).
UAE banking sector growth
Held-to-maturity bonds reached AED335.7 billion, showing a 7.9 per cent year-on-year growth despite a 1.1 per cent month-on-month decline.
Banks' equity investments settled at AED19.1 billion, reflecting a 19.4 per cent annual growth despite decreasing by 1.5 per cent from the previous month.
Other investments totalled AED55.8 billion, up 13.2 per cent year-on-year and 2.2 per cent month-on-month.
The Central Bank data also revealed that total credit reached AED2.186 trillion, growing by 9.5 per cent annually, while total deposits exceeded AED2.84 trillion after an 11.8 per cent annual increase.
Banking assets surpassed AED4.562 trillion by the end of January, showing an 11 per cent year-on-year growth and a marginal 0.1 per cent increase from December.
The UAE Funds Transfer System (UAEFTS) processed transfers exceeding AED1.786 trillion in January, growing by more than 18 per cent.
This included AED1.109 trillion in interbank transfers and approximately AED677.64 billion in customer transfers.
Image-based cheque processing cleared AED118.48 billion across 1.956 million cheques during the month.
Cash withdrawals from the Central Bank amounted to AED19.929 billion, while deposits totalled AED15.217 billion.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Arabian Business

21 hours ago

• Arabian Business

GCC tourism spending projected to hit $223.7 bn by 2034

The Statistical Centre for the Cooperation Council for the Arab Countries of the Gulf (GCC-Stat) has released data showing visitor spending in GCC countries is expected to reach $223.7 billion by 2034. The projections indicate that incoming visitor spending will contribute 13.4 percent to total exports by 2034, according to a statement by the Emirates News Agency (WAM), which cited the Centre's latest analysis. GCC visitor spending jumps 28.9% since 2019 to reach $135.5 billion GCC countries have recorded progress across multiple tourism indicators, with international visitor spending reaching $135.5 billion in 2023. This figure represents a 28.9 percent increase compared to spending recorded in 2019. The region has secured the top position in the Middle East and North Africa's 2024 Safety and Security Index. All GCC member states scored above the regional average of 5.86 points on the index, which operates on a scale from 1 to 7 points. GCC countries have also achieved recognition for passport strength, with all six nations ranking among the top performers in the Arab region for passport power. The Centre's data highlights the tourism sector's growing contribution to the GCC economy, with visitor spending showing recovery and growth following the 2019 baseline period.

Gulf Today

2 days ago

• Gulf Today

Gross banks' assets up by 1.9% to Dhs4,719.4 billion at end of March: CBUAE

The Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) announced the increase in money supply aggregate M1 by 0.4%, from Dhs982.4 billion at the end of February 2025 to Dhs986.2 billion at the end of March 2025. The increase was due to Dhs5.1 billion growth in currency in circulation outside banks, overriding the Dhs1.4 billion decrease in monetary deposits. The money supply aggregate M2 increased by 3.3%, increasing from Dhs 2,360.3 billion at the end of February 2025 to Dhs2,437.7 billion at the end of March 2025. M2 increased because of an elevated M1, and Dhs73.8 billion increase in Quasi-Monetary Deposits. The money supply aggregate M3 also increased by 2.9%, from Dhs2,811.7 billion at the end of February 2025 to Dhs2,893.7 billion at the end of March 2025. M3 increased due to the growth in M2, and Dhs4.5 billion increase in government deposits. The monetary base increased by 2.0%, from Dhs816.6 billion at the end of February 2025 to Dhs833.1 billion at the end of March 2025. The growth in the monetary base was driven by increases in currency issued by 4.1% and in reserve account by 62.0%, overriding the decrease in banks & OFCs' current accounts & overnight deposits of banks at CBUAE by 64.2% and in monetary bills & Islamic certificates of deposit by 6.3%. Gross banks' assets, including bankers' acceptances, increased by 1.9% from Dhs4,632.2 billion at the end of February 2025 to Dhs4,719.4 billion at the end of March 2025. Gross credit increased by 1.6% from Dhs2,204.3 billion at the end of February 2025 to Dhs2,240.0 billion at the end of March 2025. Gross credit increased due the combined growth in domestic credit by Dhs19.5 billion and foreign credit by Dhs16.2 billion. The growth in domestic credit was due to increases in credit to the; public sector (government-related entities) by 0.2%, private sector by 1.4% and non-banking financial institutions by 1.9%, while credit to the government sector decreased by 0.3%. Banks' deposits increased by 2.3%, from Dhs2,871.5 billion at the end of February 2025 to Dhs2,936.4 billion at the end of March 2025. The increase in bank deposits was driven by the shared growth in resident deposits by 2.4%, settling at Dhs2,687.8 billion and in non- resident deposits by 0.4%, reaching Dhs248.6 billion. Within the resident deposits; government-related entities deposits increased by 4.3%, private sector deposits increased by 3.1% and non-banking financial institutions deposits increased by 5.1%, while deposits to the government sector decreased by 2.3%, by the end of March 2025. WAM

Al Etihad

2 days ago

• Al Etihad

UAE premier strategic partner: French Trade Minister

20 June 2025 17:43 PARIS (WAM)Laurent Saint-Martin, France's Delegate Minister for Foreign Trade and French Nationals Abroad, said that the UAE holds a top-tier position in France's economic and trade policy in the Gulf region. He emphasised the depth and distinction of bilateral relations, particularly on the economic and diplomatic statements to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), on the sidelines of the 'Vision Golfe 2025', organised by the French government at the headquarters of the Ministries of Economy and Finance in Paris, Minister Laurent Saint-Martin praised the exceptional momentum in the UAE-France partnership and called for elevating cooperation to new levels, especially in industry, renewable energy, digital economy, and innovation.'The UAE is undoubtedly a priority for France among Gulf nations,' said the minister. 'It is not only a key regional and economic force, but also a modern, dynamic development model that aligns with our vision for future international relations, rooted in innovation, sustainability, and openness.'He added that France seeks to strengthen partnerships with countries that share its strategic outlook and values, stating that the UAE stands out as an ideal partner in this economic ties, Minister Saint-Martin noted that France has maintained one of the oldest and most solid records of trade and investment relations with the UAE in the Gulf region. These ties, he said, are built not on chance or temporary alliances, but on mutual trust, understanding, and long-term respect.'We have worked with the UAE for decades, and we take pride in what our companies have achieved in the Emirati market,' he said. 'Today, we have a real opportunity to expand this cooperation in line with global economic shifts, through innovation-driven, high-quality partnerships.'He urged the business communities in both countries to seize the current momentum and strengthen ties between Emirati and French companies, particularly in advanced technologies, artificial intelligence, and green transformation.'We must move beyond traditional cooperation toward productive, integrated partnerships. Our companies need to collaborate more effectively and cohesively.'On the diplomatic front, Minister Saint-Martin described UAE-France relations as solid and time-tested, backed by continuous dialogue and strategic coordination on multiple fronts, both bilaterally and in international stressed that France views the UAE as a long-term strategic partner, expressing confidence that cooperation is poised to grow further amid evolving global challenges. 'We live in a fast-changing world,' he concluded, 'and global challenges, whether environmental, digital, or economic, require trusted, forward-looking partners. The UAE is undoubtedly one of the most prominent among them.'