The United Arab Emirates has one of the most diverse and tightly regulated banking sectors in the Gulf. Whether you are opening a personal account, setting up a business, or simply trying to understand how the local financial system is structured, knowing which banks are licensed to operate here and how they differ is the first step.
As of March 2026, the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) has 62 licensed banks on its official register, up from 61 the year before. Below is a complete breakdown of who they are, how they’re categorized, and what sets each group apart.
How Many Banks Are There in the UAE?
According to the latest CBUAE register, the UAE banking sector currently consists of:
- 25 national banks headquartered and majority-owned within the UAE
- 37 foreign banks branches of international banks operating under a UAE license
- 9 Islamic banks operating strictly under Sharia-compliant principles
- 53 conventional banks offering standard interest-based banking products
Every one of these institutions is licensed and supervised directly by the Central Bank of the UAE, which sets minimum capital requirements, consumer protection standards, and anti-money-laundering controls across the board. This is why, regardless of whether you bank with a small foreign branch or one of the country’s banking giants, your deposits and transactions fall under the same regulatory umbrella.
National vs Foreign Banks: What’s the Difference?
National banks are UAE-incorporated entities, often partly or majority government-owned at the federal or emirate level. Emirates NBD, First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB), Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB), and Mashreq fall into this category. They tend to have the widest branch and ATM networks, the deepest Arabic-language support, and the broadest range of retail products built specifically for UAE residents and businesses.
Foreign banks, by contrast, operate as licensed branches of institutions headquartered elsewhere. Names like HSBC, Standard Chartered, Citibank, and BNP Paribas are familiar examples. These banks typically maintain a smaller physical footprint in the UAE but bring global banking infrastructure, international wealth management services, and cross-border banking convenience that appeals to expatriates and multinational businesses.
Islamic vs Conventional Banks
The second major split in the UAE market is between conventional and Islamic banking. Conventional banks operate on standard interest-based lending and deposit models, which is how the majority of the 62 licensed banks function.
Islamic banks, on the other hand, structure every product from home finance to savings accounts around Sharia principles, avoiding interest (riba) in favor of profit-sharing and asset-backed structures like Murabaha and Ijarah. Dubai Islamic Bank, Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, Sharjah Islamic Bank, Emirates Islamic Bank, and Ajman Bank are among the UAE’s established Islamic banks, alongside newer entrants like Ruya Community Islamic Bank.
Full List of Banks in UAE
| Institution Name | Type | Category | Head Office | Identification Number | Arabic Name (اسم المؤسسة) |
| HSBC Bank Middle East Limited | Foreign | Conventional | Dubai | 01.02.01.001.1946.02 | بنك اتش.اس. بي. سي. الشرق الأوسط المحدود |
| Standard Chartered Bank | Foreign | Conventional | Dubai | 01.02.01.002.1958.02 | ستاندرد تشارترد بنك |
| Emirates NBD Bank P.J.S.C | National | Conventional | Dubai | 01.01.01.003.1963.02 | بنك الإمارات دبي الوطني ش.م.ع |
| Citibank N.A. | Foreign | Conventional | Dubai | 01.02.01.004.1964.02 | سيتي بنك إن. أ. |
| Mashreq Bank P.S.C. | National | Conventional | Dubai | 01.01.01.005.1967.02 | بنك المشرق ش.م.ع |
| Habib Bank Limited | Foreign | Conventional | Dubai | 01.02.01.006.1967.02 | حبيب بنك المحدود |
| United Bank Limited | Foreign | Conventional | Dubai | 01.02.01.007.1967.02 | يونايتد بنك ليمتد |
| First Abu Dhabi Bank P.J.S.C | National | Conventional | Abu Dhabi | 01.01.01.008.1968.01 | بنك أبوظبي الأول ش.م.ع |
| Bank Saderat Iran | Foreign | Conventional | Dubai | 01.02.01.009.1968.02 | بنك صادرات إيران |
| Commercial Bank of Dubai P.J.S.C | National | Conventional | Dubai | 01.01.01.010.1969.02 | بنك دبي التجاري ش.م.ع |
| Al Ahli Bank of Kuwait | Foreign | Conventional | Dubai | 01.02.01.011.1969.02 | البنك الأهلي الكويتي |
| Bank Melli Iran | Foreign | Conventional | Dubai | 01.02.01.012.1969.02 | بنك ملي إيران |
| Arab African International Bank | Foreign | Conventional | Dubai | 01.02.01.013.1970.02 | البنك العربي الأفريقي الدولي |
| Banque Misr | Foreign | Conventional | Dubai | 01.02.01.014.1972.02 | بنك مصر |
| Bank of Sharjah P.J.S.C | National | Conventional | Sharjah | 01.01.01.015.1973.03 | بنك الشارقة ش.م.ع |
| Arab Bank PLC | Foreign | Conventional | Abu Dhabi | 01.02.01.016.1973.01 | البنك العربي |
| BNP Paribas | Foreign | Conventional | Abu Dhabi | 01.02.01.017.1973.01 | بي إن بي باريبا |
| Al Khaliji (France) S.A. | Foreign | Conventional | Dubai | 01.02.01.018.1973.02 | الخليجي (فرنسا) |
| Rafidain Bank | Foreign | Conventional | Abu Dhabi | 01.02.01.020.1974.01 | مصرف الرافدين |
| Bank of Baroda | Foreign | Conventional | Dubai | 01.02.01.021.1974.02 | بنك بارودا |
| Janata Bank PLC | Foreign | Conventional | Abu Dhabi | 01.02.01.022.1974.01 | جناتا بنك |
| Habib Bank AG Zurich | Foreign | Conventional | Dubai | 01.02.01.023.1974.02 | حبيب بنك أي جي زيورخ |
| Banque Banorient France | Foreign | Conventional | Dubai | 01.02.01.024.1974.02 | بنك بانوريان فرنسا |
| Dubai Islamic Bank (DIB) | National | Islamic | Dubai | 01.01.02.025.1975.02 | بنك دبي الإسلامي ش.م.ع |
| Sharjah Islamic Bank P.J.S.C | National | Islamic | Sharjah | 01.01.02.026.1975.03 | مصرف الشارقة الإسلامي ش.م.ع |
| United Arab Bank P.J.S.C | National | Conventional | Sharjah | 01.01.01.027.1975.03 | البنك العربي المتحد ش.م.ع |
| InvestBank P.J.S.C | National | Conventional | Sharjah | 01.01.01.028.1975.03 | إنفست بنك ش.م.ع |
| Crédit Agricole Corporate & Investment Bank | Foreign | Conventional | Dubai | 01.02.01.029.1975.02 | كريدي أجريكول بنك التمويل والاستثمار |
| Arab Bank for Investment & Foreign Trade | National | Conventional | Abu Dhabi | 01.01.01.030.1976.01 | المصرف العربي للاستثمار والتجارة الخارجية |
| Emirates Islamic Bank P.J.S.C | National | Islamic | Dubai | 01.01.02.031.1976.02 | مصرف الإمارات الإسلامي ش.م.ع |
| National Bank of Ras Al Khaimah (RAKBANK) | National | Conventional | Ras Al Khaimah | 01.01.01.032.1976.06 | بنك رأس الخيمة الوطني ش. |
| Institution Name | Type | Category | Head Office | Identification Number | Arabic Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HSBC Bank Middle East Limited | Foreign | Conventional | Dubai | 01.02.01.001.1946.02 | بنك اتش.اس. بي. سي. الشرق الأوسط المحدود |
| Standard Chartered Bank | Foreign | Conventional | Dubai | 01.02.01.002.1958.02 | ستاندرد تشارترد بنك |
| Emirates NBD Bank P.J.S.C | National | Conventional | Dubai | 01.01.01.003.1963.02 | بنك الإمارات دبي الوطني ش.م. |
What’s New in 2026
The most recent addition to the CBUAE register is Reem Community Bank P.S.C., a national conventional bank headquartered in Abu Dhabi that received its license in 2026. Its arrival brings the total count to 62, continuing a trend of new community and digital-first banks following WIO Bank and Zand Bank entering the UAE market in recent years.
How UAE Banks Are Regulated
Every bank on this list, national or foreign, conventional or Islamic, answers to the Central Bank of the UAE. The CBUAE sets licensing standards, monitors capital adequacy, enforces AML and KYC requirements, and protects consumer rights across the sector. It’s worth noting that banks operating within the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) fall under a separate regulator, the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) so if you’re comparing a DIFC-based entity to a mainland CBUAE-licensed bank, the protections and rules aren’t identical.
How to Choose the Right Bank in UAE
With 62 options on the table, the right choice usually comes down to three questions: Do you need a wide local branch network, or does international reach matter more? Are you looking for conventional or Sharia-compliant products? And does the bank offer the specific services you need mortgage financing, business banking, or simple day-to-day retail accounts?
National banks like Emirates NBD or FAB make sense for residents who want extensive local coverage. Foreign banks like HSBC or Citibank suit expatriates who value global account access. And if Sharia compliance is a priority, Dubai Islamic Bank, ADIB, or Emirates Islamic are well-established starting points.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many banks are there in the UAE in 2026?
There are currently 62 banks licensed by the Central Bank of the UAE, made up of 25 national and 37 foreign banks.
What is the newest bank in the UAE?
Reem Community Bank P.S.C., licensed in 2026 and based in Abu Dhabi, is the most recent addition to the CBUAE register.
How many Islamic banks operate in the UAE?
There are 9 Islamic banks currently licensed, including Dubai Islamic Bank, Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, Sharjah Islamic Bank, and Emirates Islamic Bank.
What is the difference between a national and a foreign bank in the UAE?
National banks are UAE-incorporated and often government-linked, while foreign banks operate as licensed branches of institutions headquartered outside the UAE.
Which bank is the largest in the UAE?
First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) is generally recognized as the UAE’s largest bank by total assets, formed through the 2017 merger of National Bank of Abu Dhabi and First Gulf Bank.
Are all UAE banks regulated by the same authority?
Most onshore banks fall under the CBUAE. Entities operating within the DIFC are regulated separately by the DFSA, so their rules and consumer protections can differ.
Can expatriates open accounts with any bank on this list?
Most national and foreign retail banks in the UAE accept expatriate customers, though documentation requirements such as a valid residency visa and Emirates ID vary by institution.
Is Islamic banking only available to Muslims in the UAE?
No. Islamic banking products are open to anyone, regardless of religion, and are chosen by many customers simply for their asset-backed, interest-free structure.