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UAE
Banking sector profile — Middle East & North Africa
Data as of October 2026 • TGB Intelligence Unit
Sector overview
Structure and performance
The UAE has the largest banking system in the GCC by assets: banks held AED5.59tn (US$1.52tn) at end-June 2026, about 266% of 2025 GDP. The CBUAE register lists 63 licensed banks, 25 national and 38 foreign, 12 of the latter with wholesale licences, but the market is led by Abu Dhabi and Dubai groups. First Abu Dhabi Bank, Emirates NBD and Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank each reported consolidated assets above US$200bn at end-2025. Islamic banking is anchored by Dubai Islamic Bank and Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank.