★★★☆☆ 3.2 / 5
Commercial Bank International, known across the market simply as CBI, was founded in Ras Al Khaimah in 1991 and now runs from a Dubai head office on Jumeirah Street. It keeps a deliberately compact footprint: 6 full-service branches, 2 Electronic Banking Units, and one hotel-lobby ATM point, spread across four emirates.
That trade-off is intentional: fewer counters and machines in exchange for staff who recognize repeat customers. The bank posted its highest-ever profit in 2025, with pre-tax profit up 40% year-on-year to AED 311 million, and total assets reaching AED 22.1 billion by the first quarter of 2026.
CBI is majority owned by UAE shareholders, including the Government of Ras Al Khaimah, and lists on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange under ticker CBI. Fitch continues to rate the bank investment grade at BBB+, according to CBI’s own current disclosures.
For anyone weighing where to bank, the honest takeaway hasn’t changed: CBI rewards people who want a relationship over a network. In 2026 it also added a mid-tier account, Edge, that opens some of that personal service to a wider range of salaries.
Best For
- Salaried employees earning AED 15,000 or more a month who want a named personal banker instead of a call center queue
- Mid-income earners who now qualify for the Edge tier at AED 15,000 to AED 49,999 in monthly salary, or a AED 100,000-plus relationship balance
- Higher earners who qualify for CBI First, the top priority tier, at a AED 50,000 monthly salary or AED 300,000 in deposits
- Home buyers comparing fixed and variable mortgage options from a smaller, negotiable lender
- Customers who want a Sharia-compliant option through CBI’s Al Islami banking window
Not Ideal For
- Anyone hoping for a zero-minimum-balance account: CBI charges AED 25 a month once your average balance dips under AED 3,000
- Customers who rely heavily on physical branches, since 6 full branches is nowhere close to the networks run by the UAE’s largest banks
- Tech-forward users who expect a cutting-edge banking app: reviewers commonly flag a dated interface and occasional login issues after updates
- Freelancers and the self-employed, since most CBI personal products still expect a salary transfer or a minimum income of AED 15,000
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) |
| CEO | Ali Sultan Rakkad Al Amri |
| Branches | 6 full-service branches, 2 Electronic Banking Units, 1 ATM/CCDM-only site |
| Mobile App | CBI Personal Banking, on iOS and Android |
| Online Banking | CBI Internet Banking via cbionline.cbi.ae |
| Languages | English and Arabic |
| SWIFT/BIC | CLBIAEADXXX |
| Credit Rating | BBB+, investment grade (Fitch) |
| Stock Listing | Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX: CBI) |
| Ownership | Majority UAE-owned, including the Government of Ras Al Khaimah |
| Total Assets | AED 22.1 billion (Q1 2026) |
What changed at CBI going into 2026: a new mid-tier Edge account sits between standard Personal banking and CBI First, 2025 was the bank’s most profitable year on record, and its Islamic window now operates under the Al Islami brand with Sharia oversight from the Shariyah Review Bureau. An older claim that Qatar National Bank holds a large stake no longer matches CBI’s own current ownership statement, so we’ve dropped it below.
Personal vs. Edge vs. CBI First
CBI now runs 3 personal banking tiers instead of 2. Qualifying for a higher tier depends on salary transfer, deposit balance, or an existing mortgage with the bank.
| Tier | Qualifying salary | Or relationship balance | Or mortgage balance |
| Personal | No set minimum for a current account | — | — |
| Edge | AED 15,000 – 49,999/month | AED 100,000 – 299,999 | AED 2 million or more |
| CBI First | AED 50,000/month or more | AED 300,000 or more | AED 2 million or more |
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Genuinely personal service because the branch network is small, Edge and CBI First customers get a named relationship manager, priority queuing, and faster processing rather than a rotating cast of call center agents.
- A mid-tier account that’s easier to reach Edge opens priority-style perks to salaries from AED 15,000 a month, well below the AED 50,000 CBI First used to require on its own.
- Record profitability 2025 was CBI’s most profitable year on record, with pre-tax profit up 40% to AED 311 million and total assets still growing into 2026.
- Solid credit standing a BBB+ investment-grade rating from Fitch, backed by majority UAE ownership, gives depositors reasonable confidence in the bank’s stability.
- Free-for-life card options the Mastercard Titanium and CBI Rewards Platinum both carry no annual fee for life, with cashback on cinema tickets built in.
- Coverage across the northern and central emirates branches, electronic units, and a hotel ATM point span Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, and Al Ain.
Cons
- Thin physical footprint 6 full branches can’t match the everyday convenience of a bank with hundreds of locations.
- App reviews are mixed login glitches after updates and a dated interface show up repeatedly in user feedback; check current App Store and Google Play ratings before you decide.
- Entry barrier for full personal banking a AED 15,000 minimum salary still 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 current account triggers a AED 25 monthly fee.
Detailed Product Breakdown
Personal Current Account
This is CBI’s standard entry point for salaried residents. The account bundles a Mastercard debit card, one 10-leaf chequebook free of charge, full online and mobile access, and standing instructions.
Salary transfer isn’t mandatory to open the account, but it unlocks the more useful products: personal loans up to 20 times your salary and CBI’s range of credit cards. Keep your average balance above AED 3,000 to avoid the monthly maintenance charge, and note that closing the account within 6 months triggers a AED 100 fee.
CBI Edge: The New Middle Tier
Edge is CBI’s newer account, positioned between standard Personal banking and CBI First. It qualifies you through a monthly salary transfer of AED 15,000 to AED 49,999, a relationship balance of AED 100,000 to AED 299,999, or a mortgage balance of AED 2 million or more.
Edge holders get a dedicated personal banker, priority branch queuing, and call center priority. The account also comes with access to the CBI Rewards World Credit Card fee-free for the first year, over 850 airport lounges through that card, complimentary access to more than 10 standalone lounges across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Kuwait, and Egypt, plus discounts on Careem rides and Avis car rental.
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 goes furthest. Members get a dedicated relationship manager, fee-free ATM withdrawals and online transfers, better FX pricing, and a complimentary CBI First Mastercard with access to over 1,200 airport lounges.
CBI First also runs its own contact line, separate from general customer service: 800 224 34778 within the UAE, or +971 4 503 9100 from abroad. With Edge now covering the AED 15,000 to AED 49,999 range, anyone hovering near the old AED 50,000 threshold has a lower-cost way into similar perks first.
Credit Cards
CBI’s lineup runs from everyday to premium. The Mastercard Titanium and the CBI Rewards Platinum Mastercard are both free for life with no annual fee, and the Platinum adds up to AED 300 in monthly cinema cashback.
Above those sit the CBI Rewards World Mastercard, with access to over 850 airport lounges and 1,000-plus dining and lifestyle discounts, the CBI First Mastercard with over 1,200 lounges for qualifying clients, and the invite-only World Elite Exclusive card for top-tier customers.
Across CBI’s cards, the minimum monthly payment is 4.5% of the principal balance plus fees and charges, or AED 100, whichever is higher, with up to 55 interest-free days on new spending. A cash advance costs 3.15% of the amount or AED 105, whichever is higher, a missed payment adds a AED 230 late fee, and spending in a foreign currency carries a 2.99% fee.
Personal Loan
Available to UAE nationals and expatriates who transfer their salary to CBI, this facility offers borrowing up to 20 times monthly income. CBI’s published rate range is 6.75% to 9.75% a year, though the bank’s own site notes that figure dates to 2021, so confirm the current rate before applying.
A processing fee of 1% applies, floored at AED 500 and capped at AED 2,500. Settling the loan early costs 1% of the remaining balance, up to a maximum of AED 10,000, and a missed payment adds 2% of the overdue amount, between AED 50 and AED 200.
Home Loans
CBI offers home loans to both salaried employees and self-employed business owners, for amounts up to AED 15,000,000 over terms as long as 25 years. Fixed and variable rate options are both available, and CBI’s mortgage calculator currently shows a published range of 3.5% to 9% a year depending on the product, balance, tenure, and benchmark reference rate.
That range replaces an older, much lower rate previously quoted for this bank, so treat any mortgage rate as indicative and confirm your actual offer with CBI. An application fee of AED 1,000 is credited against the 1% processing fee at disbursement, property valuation costs AED 2,500, and property insurance is included free of charge. A linked Home Loan Saver account currently earns 2% a year with no minimum or maximum balance.
Auto Loans
CBI finances up to 80% of a vehicle’s value, new or used, over terms of up to 60 months. The bank’s published rate range is 3.75% to 4.5% a year, dated to 2021 on its own site, while its live loan calculator currently indicates a range closer to 3.5% to 4.5%; ask for your specific rate before signing.
The same 1% processing fee applies, floored at AED 500 and capped at AED 2,500, and there’s no fee for replacing existing post-dated cheques with new ones.
Al Islami: CBI’s Islamic Banking Window
CBI offers Sharia-compliant banking through a dedicated window branded Al Islami, run alongside its conventional products. Al Islami’s Sharia compliance is supervised by the Shariyah Review Bureau, an independent Sharia advisory firm.
Ask at any branch or call CBI’s support line for current Al Islami account and financing options, since availability and terms can differ from the conventional product range.
Hidden Fees & Charges
These figures come from CBI’s own retail and credit card fee schedules, both dated October 2025 and current at the time of writing. All fees are subject to 5% VAT unless marked otherwise.
| Fee | Amount | Notes |
| Minimum balance fee | AED 25/month | Charged if average balance falls below AED 3,000 |
| Early account closure | AED 100 | Waived after 6 months |
| Extra chequebook (25 leaves) | AED 25/book | First chequebook of 10 leaves is free |
| Returned cheque | AED 100 | Applies whether issued or deposited |
| Cheque collection (within UAE) | AED 15 | Outside the UAE is at the bank’s discretion |
| Stop payment on a cheque | AED 50 | Per cheque |
| ATM withdrawal abroad | AED 15/transaction | Plus a 2% foreign currency processing fee |
| Non-CBI ATM fee (within UAE) | Not separately confirmed this review | Check CBI’s current schedule of fees before relying on a figure |
| Supplementary/replacement ATM card | AED 25 | Also applies to a lost or stolen card |
| Personal or auto loan processing fee | 1% of loan amount | Minimum AED 500, maximum AED 2,500 |
| Home loan application & valuation | AED 1,000 + AED 2,500 | Application fee is credited against processing fees; valuation is separate |
| Credit card cash advance | 3.15% or AED 105 | Whichever is higher |
| Credit card late payment | AED 230 | VAT not applicable |
| Credit card foreign currency fee | 2.99% | VAT not applicable |
| Credit card minimum payment | 4.5% of principal + fees, or AED 100 | Whichever is higher |
The pattern 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. An older figure for outward remittance fees couldn’t be confirmed against CBI’s current schedule this review, so check the linked PDF for that cost directly.
Digital Experience
The CBI Personal Banking app lets customers check balances, move money to saved beneficiaries at home and abroad, settle credit card bills, and manage accounts, cards, loans, and mortgages from one screen. Sign-in uses biometrics, with one-time passwords securing individual transactions, and the app supports Apple Pay for tap-to-pay spending.
We didn’t reproduce a specific App Store or Google Play rating here, since scores shift often; check both stores directly for the current figure before you judge the app on that alone. What does come up consistently in user feedback is login trouble after updates and an interface that feels behind apps from larger UAE banks.
The web portal at cbionline.cbi.ae covers similar ground: balances, statements, transfers, and bill payments. 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
- General customer service: 600 544 440 within the UAE, or +971 4 503 9000 from abroad
- CBI First priority line: 800 224 34778 within the UAE, or +971 4 503 9100 from abroad
- General email: contactus@cbi.ae
- Complaints: ccc@cbi.ae, or through the feedback and complaints form on CBI’s website
- Lost or stolen card: 600 544 440, available around the clock
- Head office: Jumeirah Street, Jumeirah 1, Dubai, P.O. Box 4449
CBI commits to responding to a customer enquiry within 5 working days, based on the enquiry form on its own site. Quick actions available through the bank include blocking a lost card, locating the nearest branch or ATM, and requesting a callback.
Branch & ATM Coverage
CBI’s footprint is deliberately compact: 6 full-service branches, 2 Electronic Banking Units, and a single ATM/CCDM-only point, spread across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, and Al Ain. We checked this list directly against CBI’s live branch locator rather than reusing an older count.
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, open 10:00 AM to 9:30 PM Monday to Saturday and 4:00 PM to 9:30 PM on Friday, also closed Sunday.
| Emirate | Location | Address |
| Dubai | Dubai Main Branch | Al Riqqa Street, Deira, CBI Building |
| Dubai | Jumeirah Branch (HQ) | Jumeirah Street, Jumeirah 1 |
| Dubai | Dubai Mall Branch | Unit TDM-LG-150, Banking Area, Financial Centre Road |
| Dubai | Radisson Blu Hotel Waterfront (ATM/CCDM only) | Lobby area, Marasi Drive, Business Bay |
| Abu Dhabi | Abu Dhabi Branch | Al Bateen Street, near the Corniche |
| Sharjah | Sharjah Buhaira Branch | Al Dana Tower, Buhaira Corniche, 151 Corniche St, Al Majaz 3 |
| Sharjah | Sharjah Electronic Banking Unit | Business Tower, Al Majaz 2 |
| Ras Al Khaimah | Julphar Towers Branch | Shops 1–4, Ground Floor, Julphar Towers Shopping Center, Al Hesen Street |
| Al Ain | Al Ain Electronic Banking Unit | Al Ain Mall |
Branch hours and locations can change without notice, so confirm before a visit using CBI’s own branch and ATM locator, linked in the sources below.
How to Open a CBI Account
- Decide which tier fits: Personal, Edge, or CBI First, based on your salary, deposit balance, or mortgage.
- Gather your passport, Emirates ID, and a salary certificate or salary transfer letter.
- Visit any branch, or start an application through the CBI website or app if you’re an existing UAE resident.
- Complete identity verification and sign your account opening documents.
- Fund the account and activate your debit card and mobile banking login.
What CBI Actually Charges, From Its Own October 2025 Schedule
CBI publishes a full retail schedule of charges. Every figure below is from the October 2025 version, and 5% VAT is added on top.
The number most people need first is AED 3,000. That is the minimum daily balance on a personal account.
| Account charge | Amount |
| Minimum daily balance | AED 3,000 |
| Breach of minimum balance, monthly | AED 25 |
| Account closure within 6 months of opening | AED 100 |
| Bulk cash deposit and withdrawal at the teller counter | Free |
| Standing instruction set up | AED 50 |
| Standing order failure, insufficient funds | AED 25 |
| Changing a standing instruction due date | AED 25 |
| Account balance letter | AED 50 |
| Release letter | AED 50 |
| Liability letter to a government department or embassy | AED 60 |
| Paper duplicate statement | AED 25 |
Cheques and transfers
| Item | Charge |
| First cheque book, 10 leaves | Free |
| Additional cheque book, 25 leaves | AED 25 per book |
| Returned cheque | AED 100 per cheque |
| Returned cheque deposited into your own account | AED 100 |
| Cheque for collection within the UAE | AED 15 |
| Stop payment | AED 50 per cheque |
| Cheque photocopy | AED 50 |
| Special clearing cheque, outward | AED 250 |
| Demand draft in foreign currency | AED 75 |
| Manager’s cheque in local currency | AED 75 |
| Cancelling a demand draft | AED 25 |
| Post-dated cheque lodgement, withdrawal or postponement | AED 25 each |
| Local telegraphic transfer within the UAE, at a branch | AED 5 |
| Outward remittance | AED 70 |
| Remittance amendment | AED 50 |
| SWIFT tracer | AED 50 |
| Replacing a lost or stolen ATM card | AED 25 |
| Using an ATM outside the UAE | AED 15 |
| Foreign currency transaction processing, added to the exchange rate | 2% |
Correspondent bank charges apply on top of international transfers and AED cross-border payments. The AED 70 is CBI’s slice, not the total.
Borrowing costs
| Charge | Personal loan | Home loan | Auto loan |
| Processing fee | 1%, min AED 500, max AED 2,500 | 1% of loan amount | 1%, min AED 500, max AED 2,500 |
| Application fee | Not listed | AED 1,000, set against the processing fee at drawdown | Not listed |
| Property valuation | Not applicable | AED 2,500 | Not applicable |
| Late payment | 2% of the delayed amount, min AED 50, max AED 200 | 2% of the delayed amount, min AED 50, max AED 700 | 2%, min AED 50, max AED 500 |
| Instalment deferment | AED 100 per deferment | Not listed | AED 100 per deferment |
| Rescheduling | AED 250 | Not listed | AED 250 |
| Cancellation | AED 100 | Not listed | AED 100 |
| Early settlement | 1% of the remaining balance | 1% of the outstanding balance or AED 10,000, whichever is less | 1% of the remaining balance, up to AED 10,000 |
The home loan cap is the one worth knowing. Early or partial settlement is charged at 1% of the outstanding balance or AED 10,000, whichever is less. On a large mortgage that cap is the difference between a small fee and a very large one.
Home loan paperwork is priced separately: a liability letter is AED 85, an NOC is AED 150, a clearance letter is AED 95 and a property swap administration fee is AED 1,320 with valuation included.
Property insurance on a CBI home loan is listed as free of charge.
Safe deposit lockers
| Size | Annual rent | Security deposit |
| Small | AED 1,500 | AED 2,000 |
| Medium | AED 2,000 | AED 3,000 |
| Large | AED 3,000 | AED 4,000 |
One visit a month is free. Every visit beyond that costs AED 100.
Where to Take a Complaint CBI Will Not Fix
CBI publishes the escalation route on its own site, including Sanadak’s contact details. Few banks spell this out as clearly.
| Detail | Sanadak |
| What it is | The independent Ombudsman Unit established by the Central Bank of the UAE |
| Contact centre | 800 726 2325, which spells 800 SANADAK |
| Office | Emirates Institute of Finance building, Ground Floor, Abu Dhabi |
| Hours | 8:30am to 3:30pm Monday to Thursday, 8:30am to 11:30am on Friday |
| Website | sanadak.gov.ae |
Complain to CBI first and keep the date they received it. Telephone banking is 600 544440 inside the UAE and +971 4 5039000 from outside.
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.
What’s the difference between Edge and CBI First?
Edge starts at a AED 15,000 monthly salary, a AED 100,000 relationship balance, or a AED 2 million mortgage. CBI First requires a higher AED 50,000 salary or AED 300,000 balance, and adds broader lounge access and its own priority phone line.
Who owns Commercial Bank International?
CBI describes itself as majority owned by UAE shareholders, including the Government of Ras Al Khaimah, with a board that is majority UAE nationals. It’s listed publicly on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange under ticker CBI.
What’s the minimum balance requirement?
AED 3,000 on average per month for a personal current account. Dropping below that triggers a AED 25 monthly charge.
What is CBI’s SWIFT code?
CLBIAEADXXX, sometimes shown as CLBIAEAD without the branch suffix.
Does CBI offer Islamic banking?
Yes, through a dedicated window branded Al Islami, with Sharia compliance overseen by the Shariyah Review Bureau. Ask at any branch or through the support line for current Al Islami products.
What credit cards does CBI issue?
The free-for-life Mastercard Titanium and CBI Rewards Platinum, the CBI Rewards World Mastercard, a complimentary CBI First Mastercard 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 only within the first 6 months.
What is CBI’s minimum balance?
AED 3,000 as a minimum daily balance on a personal account. Breaching it costs AED 25 a month.
What does CBI charge to close an account?
AED 100 if you close within 6 months of opening. The October 2025 schedule lists no closure charge after that.
How much is a CBI safe deposit locker?
AED 1,500 a year for a small locker, AED 2,000 for medium and AED 3,000 for large, with refundable security deposits of AED 2,000, AED 3,000 and AED 4,000. One visit a month is free and each extra visit costs AED 100.
What does it cost to settle a CBI home loan early?
1% of the outstanding balance or AED 10,000, whichever is less. The same cap applies to partial settlement.
How do I reach Sanadak about a CBI complaint?
Call 800 726 2325 or visit sanadak.gov.ae. Its office is in the Emirates Institute of Finance building in Abu Dhabi, open 8:30am to 3:30pm Monday to Thursday and 8:30am to 11:30am on Friday.
Official sources
Everything above is compiled from primary sources checked during this review. Check these directly before you act, because fees and product terms change often and without notice.
- Official website: Commercial Bank International for current products, eligibility rules, and the published schedule of fees.
- Branch and ATM locator: CBI’s live branch finder for current locations and opening hours.
- SWIFT/BIC verification: Wise’s SWIFT code lookup for CLBIAEADXXX.
- Regulator: Central Bank of the UAE, which licenses and supervises every bank operating in the UAE and handles escalated consumer complaints.
- Stock listing: Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange, where CBI trades under ticker CBI.
- Credit ratings: any rating quoted above is published by the rating agency itself, such as Fitch Ratings. Ratings are reviewed periodically and can change.
- Our method: how we research each bank and what our ratings mean is set out in our editorial policy and ratings methodology.
Other UAE banks
- National Bank of Fujairah
- Emirates Development Bank
- Emirates NBD Bank UAE
- First Abu Dhabi Bank FAB
- ADCB Bank UAE
Still comparing? See the full list of all 62 banks licensed in the UAE, or read how we assess each one in our ratings methodology.