Banking Sector in UAE Sees Strong Investment Growth

UAE, 11 April, 2025 :  Bank investments in the UAE climbed to AED742.9 billion ($202 billion) by the end of January 2025, reflecting a 1% month-on-month increase and a 16.1% rise compared to January 2024, according to data released by the Central Bank of the UAE.

Investments in debt securities surged to AED332.3 billion, up 26.1% annually. Held-to-maturity bonds reached AED335.7 billion, marking a 7.9% annual rise despite a slight monthly dip.

Equity investments stood at AED19.1 billion, growing 19.4% year-on-year, while other investments rose 13.2% annually to AED55.8 billion.

The robust investment activity coincided with a 9.5% annual increase in total credit, reaching AED2.186 trillion. Total deposits grew by 11.8% year-on-year, exceeding AED2.84 trillion.

Overall banking assets rose to AED4.562 trillion, up 11% annually. Transfers through the UAE Funds Transfer System exceeded AED1.786 trillion in January, including AED1.109 trillion in interbank transfers and AED677.64 billion in customer transfers.

The value of cheques cleared hit AED118.48 billion across nearly 2 million cheques, while cash withdrawals from the Central Bank totaled AED19.9 billion and deposits reached AED15.2 billion.