★★★☆☆ 3.2 / 5
Commercial Bank International, known across the market simply as CBI, was founded in Ras Al Khaimah in 1991 and now runs its day-to-day operations from a Dubai head office on Jumeirah Street. Rather than chasing the volume game that dominates UAE retail banking, CBI has built its identity around a smaller, more personal footprint six full-service branches and a handful of Electronic Banking Units spread across four emirates.
That’s a deliberate trade: fewer counters and cash machines in exchange for staff who actually remember your name. Financially, the institution looks sound rather than spectacular. Total assets sat at AED 21.9 billion through 2025, pre-tax profit climbed 40% year-on-year to AED 311.1 million, and Fitch reaffirmed a BBB+ Stable Outlook rating in February 2025. Ownership tells its own story too Qatar National Bank holds close to 40% of the shares, with the Ras Al Khaimah Government and other UAE investors rounding out the register, and the bank trades publicly on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange. For customers weighing where to bank, the honest takeaway is that CBI rewards people who want a relationship over a network, and it asks a fairly high salary threshold in return.
Best For
- Salaried employees earning AED 15,000 or more each month who’d rather deal with a familiar personal banker than a call centre queue
- Higher earners who qualify for CBI First, the bank’s priority tier, unlocked at a AED 50,000 monthly salary or AED 300,000 in deposits
- Buyers hunting for a competitively priced mortgage from a smaller, more flexible lender willing to negotiate on terms
- SMEs and corporate accounts that need a responsive relationship manager rather than a generic business banking hotline
Not Ideal For
- Anyone hoping for a completely free, zero-minimum-balance account CBI applies a AED 25 monthly charge once your balance dips under AED 3,000
- Customers who rely heavily on physical branches or ATMs, since six locations is nowhere close to the hundreds operated by the UAE’s largest banks
- Tech-forward users who expect a slick, modern banking app CBI’s mobile offering is serviceable but sits at a modest 3.3 out of 5 on the App Store
- Freelancers and the self-employed, as most CBI products are gated behind a salary transfer requirement and a AED 15,000 minimum income
Quick Facts
| Category | Details |
| Bank Type | Commercial, Retail, Corporate & Islamic Banking |
| Founded | 1991, Ras Al Khaimah |
| Head Office | Jumeirah Street, Jumeirah 1, Dubai (registered office remains in RAK) |
| Branches | 6 full-service branches plus Electronic Banking Units in 4 emirates |
| ATMs | Branch-based ATMs and CCDMs, plus select partner locations |
| Mobile App | CBI Personal Banking (iOS: 3.3/5) |
| Online Banking | CBI Internet Banking via cbionline.cbi.ae |
| Languages | English and Arabic |
| SWIFT/BIC | CLBIAEADXXX |
| Credit Rating | BBB+ Stable Outlook (Fitch, Feb 2025) |
| Stock Listing | Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX: CBI) |
| Major Shareholder | Qatar National Bank (~40%) |
Official Resources
- 🌐 Official CBI Website
- 📄 CBI Schedule of Fees
- 📍 CBI Branch & ATM Locator
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Genuinely personal service because the branch network is small, CBI First customers get a named relationship manager, faster processing, and priority treatment rather than a rotating cast of call-centre agents.
- Sharp mortgage pricing home financing is one of CBI’s growth priorities, and variable rates can start from around 1.65%, undercutting several larger competitors.
- Solid credit standing a BBB+ rating from Fitch, backed by government and QNB ownership, gives depositors reasonable confidence in the bank’s stability.
- A genuinely free credit card the Mastercard Titanium carries no annual fee for life and throws in cashback on up to four cinema tickets a month.
- Coverage across the northern and central emirates branches and electronic units span Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, and Al Ain.
Cons
- Thin physical footprint six branches simply can’t match the everyday convenience of a bank with hundreds of locations.
- App reviews are underwhelming login glitches, a dated interface, and missing features show up repeatedly in user feedback.
- High entry barrier a AED 15,000 minimum salary shuts out a large share of the UAE’s expatriate workforce.
- Retail digital experience trails the market CBI is investing in fintech on the corporate side, but everyday customers don’t see much of that innovation yet.
- Minimum balance penalty falling below AED 3,000 in your account triggers a AED 25 monthly fee.
Detailed Product Breakdown
Personal Current Account
This is CBI’s standard entry point for salaried residents, best suited to people who don’t mind a smaller branch network in exchange for more attentive service. The account bundles a Mastercard debit card, a chequebook with the first 25 leaves free, full online and mobile access, and the ability to set up standing instructions. Salary transfer isn’t mandatory to open the account, but it is required to unlock the more useful products personal loans up to twenty times your salary and CBI’s range of credit cards. Keep your average balance above AED 3,000 to dodge the monthly maintenance charge, and be aware that closing the account inside six months triggers a AED 100 fee. What you won’t find here are the welcome bonuses or cashback perks that bigger banks use to win new customers; the appeal instead is a smaller institution where staff recognise repeat visitors.
CBI First Priority Banking
Reserved for clients earning AED 50,000 or more a month, holding AED 300,000-plus in deposits, or carrying a mortgage above AED 2 million, CBI First is where the bank’s relationship-driven pitch really shows up. Members get a dedicated relationship manager, priority phone lines, fee-free ATM withdrawals and online transfers, better FX pricing, same-day service on most requests, and a complimentary credit card. It’s essentially concierge banking scaled down to a boutique institution, aimed at clients who don’t want to be just another account number. The catch is the entry threshold at AED 50,000 monthly income, this tier sits well above what most Priority Banking programmes at bigger UAE banks require, so anyone hovering near that line might get more value from a larger bank’s broader partner network instead.
Mastercard Titanium Credit Card
CBI’s flagship card charges zero annual fees for life, comes with dining and lifestyle discounts through its companion app, and refunds the cost of up to four cinema tickets every month. Supplementary cards are free across the board, and the minimum monthly repayment sits at 4.5% of your outstanding balance, with interest applying to anything carried over. Customers who spend more heavily might prefer the CBI Rewards World Card, which earns points redeemable against flights, hotels, and merchandise, while the invite-only World Elite Exclusive card targets the bank’s wealthiest clients. Where CBI falls short is variety there’s no co-branded airline card and nothing resembling the tiered cashback or lifestyle tie-ins that ENBD or FAB offer their customers.
Personal Loan
Available to both UAE Nationals and expatriates who transfer their salary to CBI, this facility offers borrowing of up to twenty times monthly income, capped at AED 1 million, with interest rates ranging between 6.75% and 9.75% annually over a maximum term of 48 months. A processing fee of 1% applies, floored at AED 500 and capped at AED 2,500. To qualify you’ll need a minimum salary of AED 15,000, be at least 21 years old (with age caps of 65 for Nationals and 60 for expats), and have worked in the UAE for at least three months as a National or six as an expatriate. Missed repayments can affect your credit file and limit future borrowing, and settling the loan early costs 1% of the remaining balance, up to AED 10,000.
Hidden Fees & Charges
CBI’s pricing is competitive in places but carries several charges worth budgeting around, all subject to 5% VAT where applicable.
| Fee | Amount | Notes |
| Minimum balance fee | AED 25/month | Charged if average balance falls below AED 3,000; salary account holders may be exempt |
| Foreign currency markup | 2% | Applied to overseas card spend and international ATM withdrawals |
| Outward remittance | AED 70/transfer | Free for CBI First customers using online transfers |
| Early account closure | AED 100 | Waived after six months |
| Non-CBI ATM (UAE) | AED 2/transaction | Waived for CBI First customers |
| ATM usage abroad | AED 15/transaction | Plus the standard 2% FX markup |
| Loan processing fee | 1% of loan amount | AED 500–2,500 range; separate AED 1,000 application fee for home loans |
| Returned cheque | AED 100 | Applies whether issued or deposited |
| Late payment | 2% of overdue amount | AED 50–200 for personal loans, AED 50–700 for home loans |
The pattern here is fairly standard for a UAE bank routine transactions are cheap or free, but falling below balance thresholds or missing a payment gets expensive quickly.
Digital Experience
CBI’s mobile app lets customers check balances, review transaction history, move money to saved beneficiaries at home and abroad, settle credit card bills, and manage every account, card, loan, and mortgage from one screen. Sign-in uses biometrics, with one-time passwords securing individual transactions. On the positive side, the app handles core tasks reliably, registration is quick if your Emirates ID and phone number are already on file, and at just over 66 MB it’s light on storage. CBI itself reports that three-quarters of its online banking users rate their experience positively. The complaints, though, are consistent: login problems after updates, an interface that feels behind the times next to apps from ENBD or Emirates NBD’s digital-only rival Liv, no corporate banking option, and an absence of newer conveniences like spending breakdowns or savings goals. The web portal at cbionline.cbi.ae covers similar ground balances, statements, transfers, bill payments and gives immediate access once you register, though anything more complex, like a new loan application or closing an account, still needs a branch visit or a phone call.
Contact Information & Customer Support
- 24/7 Customer Service: 600 544 440 (within UAE) / +971 4 503 9000 (international)
- Email: contactus@cbi.ae
- Lost or Stolen Card: 600 544 440, available around the clock
- Head Office: Jumeirah Street, Jumeirah 1, Dubai, P.O. Box 4449 (registered office in Ras Al Khaimah, P.O. Box 793)
Quick actions available through the bank include blocking a lost card, locating the nearest branch or ATM, requesting a callback, and reporting suspected fraud.
Branch & Coverage
CBI’s footprint is deliberately compact six full-service branches supplemented by Electronic Banking Units, spread across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and Ras Al Khaimah. Standard branch hours run Monday to Saturday from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM, with a shortened Friday session from 7:15 AM to 12:15 PM, and everything closed on Sunday. The Dubai Mall branch is the exception, staying open from 10:00 AM to 9:30 PM most days and 4:00 PM to 9:30 PM on Fridays.
| Emirate | Branch | Address |
| Dubai | Main Branch | Al Riqqa Street, Deira |
| Dubai | Jumeirah Branch (HQ) | Jumeirah Street, Jumeirah 1 |
| Dubai | Dubai Mall Branch | Financial Centre Road, Downtown Dubai |
| Abu Dhabi | Abu Dhabi Branch | Al Bateen Street |
| Sharjah | Buhaira Branch | Al Majaz 3 |
| Ras Al Khaimah | RAK Branch | Julphar Towers |
Electronic Banking Units operate in Al Ain and Sharjah’s Al Majaz 2 district, and CBI supplements this network with additional ATMs and cheque deposit machines at select shopping centres and commercial areas.
FAQ
How do I open a CBI personal account?
Bring a valid passport, Emirates ID, and a salary certificate or transfer letter to any branch. Most credit products also require salary transfer, and accounts typically open within a few working days.
Can non-residents bank with CBI?
CBI’s focus is squarely on UAE residents, though non-residents can contact the bank directly at 600 544 440 to check current eligibility.
What’s the minimum balance requirement?
AED 3,000 on average per month. Dropping below that triggers a AED 25 charge, though salary account holders may be exempt.
What is CBI’s SWIFT code?
CLBIAEAD, sometimes listed as CLBIAEADXXX depending on the branch.
How do I register for online or mobile banking?
Download the CBI Personal Banking app, tap register, and verify using your Emirates ID or passport plus a registered mobile number or email. Registration can also be completed in-branch.
What credit cards does CBI issue?
The fee-free Mastercard Titanium, the points-earning CBI Rewards World Card, a complimentary CBI First card for priority clients, and the invitation-only World Elite Exclusive card.
How do I close my account?
Visit a branch with your Emirates ID, debit card, and chequebook, clear any balances, and cancel linked products. A AED 100 fee applies within the first six months only.
Does CBI offer Islamic banking?
Yes Sharia-compliant products are available alongside conventional banking; ask at any branch or call the support line for details.
Disclaimer
Rates, fees, and eligibility criteria change periodically. Always confirm current terms directly with CBI before making a financial decision this article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.
