Several UAE banks will raise their minimum balance requirement to Dh5,000 starting June 1, tightening fee exemptions for customers who do not hold a credit card or personal financing.
The move, up from the longstanding Dh3,000 threshold, means many account holders may now face a monthly fee of Dh25.
According to a report by Emarat Al Youm, one bank has already rolled out the updated policy. The change is aimed at encouraging customers to either maintain higher balances or sign up for banking products such as credit cards or loans. Customers who do not meet the new balance requirement and lack qualifying financial products will incur the Dh25 monthly fee.
Banks justify the shift as necessary for liquidity and operational cost management. Vijay Valecha, chief investment officer at Century Financial, said higher minimums help banks increase deposits, enhance loan offerings, and offset rising service costs.
However, finance expert Dr Ben Lebig raised concerns over the burden this places on low-income residents, particularly those in the service sector.
“For workers whose salaries barely cover expenses and remittances, this rule may be impossible to fulfill,”
he said. He urged banks to introduce tiered requirements based on income levels.
Fee waivers will apply to customers with a total balance of Dh20,000 or more, or those transferring a salary of Dh15,000 or higher. Partial exemptions are also available for those earning between Dh5,000 and Dh14,999, provided they hold additional financial products.
To ease the impact, experts suggest alternatives such as payroll cards, corporate accounts for low-wage employees, and zero-balance digital accounts. These options, commonly used in the Wage Protection System, can help workers stay compliant without added financial strain.
News Source: Khaleej Times
