The UAE Banks Federation has set its strategic course for 2026, approving a forward-looking plan at its Annual General Meeting that puts economic growth and global financial competitiveness at the centre of the banking sector's agenda.
The strategy, endorsed by the UBF board ahead of the AGM, is designed to deepen the sector's contribution to the UAE's broader economic objectives and cement its standing among the world's top financial centres.
The meeting highlighted a strong 2025 performance across the industry. Total assets of UAE banks reached AED5.4 trillion, with the credit portfolio growing by 17.9 percent and deposits rising by 16.2 percent. Capital adequacy and liquidity ratios remained well above both regulatory requirements and international benchmarks.
Members also praised a proactive support package approved by the Central Bank of the UAE, chaired by His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, crediting it with reinforcing the sector's stability and resilience in a challenging global environment.
On Emiratisation, the news was equally positive. UBF member banks exceeded their 2025 targets by 160 percent, and the AGM reaffirmed its commitment to expanding human capital development programmes for Emirati talent in line with the sector's rapid digital transformation.
Attendees also recognised the Federation's role in securing the UAE's selection to host Sibos 2029, the flagship annual conference of Swift, which drew wide acknowledgment as a significant milestone for the country's global banking profile.
UBF Chairman AbdulAziz Al Ghurair said the AGM's decisions would serve as a roadmap for member banks in 2026, supporting the next phase of growth and further positioning the UAE as a leading global financial hub.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
