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 current is this list? We cross-check the bank count and categories against the Central Bank of the UAE’s own public register. Bank licenses are added, merged or withdrawn during the year, so this page reflects the register as of March 2026. For the exact position today, check the CBUAE licensed banks register directly.
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
UAE banks at a glance
| Category | Number of banks |
|---|---|
| National banks | 25 |
| Foreign bank branches | 37 |
| Islamic banks | 9 |
| Conventional banks | 53 |
| Total licensed banks | 62 |
Read the chart as 2 separate splits of the same 62 banks. Ownership on top, banking model underneath.
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 the UAE
All 62 banks currently on the CBUAE register are listed below in license order, oldest first. Linked names go to our full review of that bank.
| Institution Name | Type | Category | Head Office | Identification Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HSBC Bank Middle East Limited | Foreign | Conventional | Dubai | 01.02.01.001.1946.02 |
| Standard Chartered Bank | Foreign | Conventional | Dubai | 01.02.01.002.1958.02 |
| Emirates NBD Bank P.J.S.C | National | Conventional | Dubai | 01.01.01.003.1963.02 |
| Citibank N.A. | Foreign | Conventional | Dubai | 01.02.01.004.1964.02 |
| Mashreq Bank P.S.C. | National | Conventional | Dubai | 01.01.01.005.1967.02 |
| Habib Bank Limited | Foreign | Conventional | Dubai | 01.02.01.006.1967.02 |
| United Bank Limited | Foreign | Conventional | Dubai | 01.02.01.007.1967.02 |
| First Abu Dhabi Bank P.J.S.C | National | Conventional | Abu Dhabi | 01.01.01.008.1968.01 |
| Bank Saderat Iran | Foreign | Conventional | Dubai | 01.02.01.009.1968.02 |
| Commercial Bank of Dubai P.J.S.C | National | Conventional | Dubai | 01.01.01.010.1969.02 |
| Al Ahli Bank of Kuwait | Foreign | Conventional | Dubai | 01.02.01.011.1969.02 |
| Bank Melli Iran | Foreign | Conventional | Dubai | 01.02.01.012.1969.02 |
| Arab African International Bank | Foreign | Conventional | Dubai | 01.02.01.013.1970.02 |
| Banque Misr | Foreign | Conventional | Dubai | 01.02.01.014.1972.02 |
| Bank of Sharjah P.J.S.C | National | Conventional | Sharjah | 01.01.01.015.1973.03 |
| Arab Bank PLC | Foreign | Conventional | Abu Dhabi | 01.02.01.016.1973.01 |
| BNP Paribas | Foreign | Conventional | Abu Dhabi | 01.02.01.017.1973.01 |
| Al Khaliji (France) S.A. | Foreign | Conventional | Dubai | 01.02.01.018.1973.02 |
| Rafidain Bank | Foreign | Conventional | Abu Dhabi | 01.02.01.020.1974.01 |
| Bank of Baroda | Foreign | Conventional | Dubai | 01.02.01.021.1974.02 |
| Janata Bank PLC | Foreign | Conventional | Abu Dhabi | 01.02.01.022.1974.01 |
| Habib Bank AG Zurich | Foreign | Conventional | Dubai | 01.02.01.023.1974.02 |
| Banque Banorient France | Foreign | Conventional | Dubai | 01.02.01.024.1974.02 |
| Dubai Islamic Bank P.J.S.C | National | Islamic | Dubai | 01.01.02.025.1975.02 |
| Sharjah Islamic Bank P.J.S.C | National | Islamic | Sharjah | 01.01.02.026.1975.03 |
| United Arab Bank P.J.S.C | National | Conventional | Sharjah | 01.01.01.027.1975.03 |
| InvestBank P.J.S.C | National | Conventional | Sharjah | 01.01.01.028.1975.03 |
| Credit Agricole Corporate & Investment Bank | Foreign | Conventional | Dubai | 01.02.01.029.1975.02 |
| Arab Bank for Investment & Foreign Trade | National | Conventional | Abu Dhabi | 01.01.01.030.1976.01 |
| Emirates Islamic Bank P.J.S.C | National | Islamic | Dubai | 01.01.02.031.1976.02 |
| National Bank of Ras Al Khaimah (RAKBANK) | National | Conventional | Ras Al Khaimah | 01.01.01.032.1976.06 |
| Emirates Investment Bank P.J.S.C | National | Conventional | Dubai | 01.01.05.033.1976.02 |
| El Nilein Bank | Foreign | Islamic | Abu Dhabi | 01.02.02.034.1976.01 |
| National Bank of Oman S.A.O.G. | Foreign | Conventional | Abu Dhabi | 01.02.01.035.1976.01 |
| National Bank of Umm Al Quwain P.S.C | National | Conventional | Umm Al Quwain | 01.01.01.037.1982.05 |
| National Bank of Bahrain | Foreign | Conventional | Abu Dhabi | 01.02.01.038.1982.01 |
| National Bank of Fujairah P.S.C | National | Conventional | Fujairah | 01.01.01.039.1984.07 |
| Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank P.J.S.C | National | Conventional | Abu Dhabi | 01.01.01.040.1985.01 |
| Commercial Bank International P.J.S.C | National | Conventional | Dubai | 01.01.01.041.1991.02 |
| Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank P.J.S.C | National | Islamic | Abu Dhabi | 01.01.02.042.1997.01 |
| Al Hilal Bank P.J.S.C | National | Islamic | Abu Dhabi | 01.01.02.045.2007.01 |
| Doha Bank | Foreign | Conventional | Dubai | 01.02.01.046.2007.02 |
| Saudi National Bank | Foreign | Conventional | Dubai | 01.02.01.047.2007.02 |
| Ajman Bank P.J.S.C | National | Islamic | Ajman | 01.01.02.048.2008.04 |
| National Bank of Kuwait | Foreign | Conventional | Dubai | 01.02.01.049.2008.02 |
| Industrial & Commercial Bank of China | Foreign | Conventional | Abu Dhabi | 01.02.03.050.2009.01 |
| Deutsche Bank AG | Foreign | Conventional | Abu Dhabi | 01.02.03.051.2009.01 |
| KEB Hana Bank | Foreign | Conventional | Abu Dhabi | 01.02.03.053.2012.01 |
| Barclays Bank PLC | Foreign | Conventional | Dubai | 01.02.03.054.2014.02 |
| Bank of China Limited | Foreign | Conventional | Abu Dhabi | 01.02.03.055.2014.01 |
| Gulf International Bank B.S.C | Foreign | Conventional | Abu Dhabi | 01.02.03.056.2014.01 |
| MCB Bank Limited | Foreign | Conventional | Dubai | 01.02.03.057.2015.02 |
| Intesa Sanpaolo S.P.A | Foreign | Conventional | Abu Dhabi | 01.02.03.058.2016.01 |
| Agricultural Bank of China Ltd. | Foreign | Conventional | Dubai | 01.02.03.059.2016.02 |
| Bank Alfalah Limited | Foreign | Conventional | Dubai | 01.02.03.060.2017.02 |
| BOK International Bank | Foreign | Islamic | Abu Dhabi | 01.02.02.061.2017.01 |
| Al Maryah Community Bank L.L.C. | National | Conventional | Abu Dhabi | 01.01.07.062.2021.01 |
| Wio Bank P.J.S.C | National | Conventional | Abu Dhabi | 01.01.01.063.2022.01 |
| Zand Bank P.J.S.C | National | Conventional | Dubai | 01.01.01.064.2022.02 |
| International Development Bank for Investment & Finance | Foreign | Conventional | Dubai | 01.02.03.066.2022.02 |
| Ruya Community Islamic Bank L.L.C | National | Islamic | Ajman | 01.01.08.067.2024.04 |
| Reem Community Bank P.S.C. | National | Conventional | Abu Dhabi | Licensed 2026 |
Identification numbers and head office data come directly from the CBUAE register. Reem Community Bank P.S.C. was licensed in 2026 and had not yet been assigned a published identification number as of this list.
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. It received its community banking license from the CBUAE in 2026 after converting from Reem Finance, a finance company that had operated in Abu Dhabi since 2010.
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, such as 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.
One Name on This List Is Under US Action
Banque Misr appears on the CBUAE register above. On 28 August 2026 the US Treasury took action against its UAE operation.
FinCEN proposed a rule that would revoke Banque Misr UAE’s correspondent banking access to US financial institutions. The same announcement sanctioned the general manager of Bank Melli’s Dubai branch.
A CBUAE license and a clean international standing are not the same thing. Every bank on this list is licensed in the UAE. That tells you the Central Bank supervises it. It does not tell you whether a US dollar payment through it will clear without friction.
A proposed rule is not a final one, and designations change in both directions. Check the Treasury announcement and the current OFAC list yourself before relying on any cross-border route.
Where to Complain About Any Bank on This List
Start with the bank. Then you have a route past it that most customers never hear about.
- Complain to the bank in writing and keep the date they received it.
- Wait 30 calendar days from that date.
- If there is no answer, or the answer does not satisfy you, take it to Sanadak, the independent ombudsman unit created under the Central Bank of the UAE.
- For a DIFC-licensed entity, the regulator is the Dubai Financial Services Authority instead.
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.
How can I check if a bank is currently licensed in the UAE?
The CBUAE publishes a public register of every licensed bank. Search it directly on the Central Bank of the UAE website before opening an account with an unfamiliar name.
How many foreign banks operate in the UAE?
37 of the 62 licensed banks are foreign, meaning branches of institutions headquartered outside the UAE. The other 25 are national banks.
Is any UAE-licensed bank currently facing US restrictions?
Yes. On 28 August 2026 FinCEN proposed a rule that would revoke Banque Misr UAE’s correspondent banking access to US financial institutions, and OFAC sanctioned the general manager of Bank Melli’s Dubai branch. Both banks remain on the CBUAE register.
Where do I escalate a complaint my UAE bank will not resolve?
To Sanadak, the independent ombudsman unit created under the Central Bank of the UAE. Complain to the bank first and wait 30 calendar days from the date they received it.
Official sources
The bank counts and categories on this page come from the register maintained by the regulator, not from third-party lists. The register is updated as licenses are granted or withdrawn, so check it directly if you need the position as of today.
- Regulator and license register: Central Bank of the UAE, which licenses and supervises every bank operating in the country.
- US Treasury action, August 2026: Operation Economic Outcast press release.
- DIFC regulator: Dubai Financial Services Authority.
- Complaints: Sanadak.
- Individual banks: each review linked above cites that bank’s own website and published schedule of fees.
- Our method: see our editorial policy and ratings methodology.
Every UAE bank we have reviewed
The list above covers how the UAE banking sector is structured. Below are our full reviews of the individual banks, grouped by the kind of customer each one is built for. Every review sets out who the bank suits, who should look elsewhere, what it costs and where it falls short.
The largest UAE banks
These are the banks most residents meet first, usually through a salary transfer. Widest branch and ATM coverage, broadest product range.
Islamic banks
Sharia-compliant banking built on profit-sharing and asset-backed structures rather than interest.
Digital-only banks
No branch counters. Built for customers who would rather never visit one.
International banks operating in the UAE
Licensed branches of global institutions. Smaller physical footprint, stronger cross-border and wealth services.
- HSBC UAE personal banking
- Standard Chartered Bank UAE
- Citibank UAE
- BNP Paribas UAE
- Credit Agricole CIB UAE
- Bank of China UAE
Banks for remittances and expat communities
Established South Asian customer bases and dedicated remittance corridors.
Regional and GCC banks
- Doha Bank UAE
- Al Ahli Bank of Kuwait UAE
- Saudi National Bank UAE
- Arab Bank UAE
- Bank Melli Iran UAE
- Bank Saderat Iran UAE
- International Development Bank UAE
Other UAE banks
The regulator
Every bank above is licensed and supervised by one authority, which is also where you escalate a complaint your bank has not resolved.
How we assess each bank, and what our star ratings do and do not mean, is set out in our editorial policy and ratings methodology. Spotted something out of date? Email contact@klip.ae.