Rating: ★★★★☆ 4.1 / 5
National Bank of Fujairah (NBF) built its reputation on trade finance and precious metals financing rather than a large retail branch network. The bank operates under UAE Central Bank license BSD/799/84, established in 1982 and open for business in Fujairah since 1984.
NBF is a public joint stock company listed on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange under the ticker NBF. As of August 31, 2026, the Fujairah Government held a combined 62.91% of shares through its Department of Industry and Economy (57.87%) and Fujairah Investment Company (5.04%), with Easa Saleh Al Gurg LLC holding 18.54% and UAE citizen shareholders holding 18.55%.
NBF’s core strength is trade finance, treasury, and precious metals financing built up over more than 40 years. The bank also runs a full Islamic banking window alongside its conventional retail and corporate business.
NBF posted a record AED 1.2 billion net profit after tax in 2025, up 41.8% from AED 850.1 million in 2024, its third straight year of record results. Momentum continued in 2026: net profit after tax reached AED 688.9 million in the first half, up 10.2% year over year, on total assets of AED 71.2 billion.
NBF at a Glance
| Fact | Detail |
| Full legal name | National Bank of Fujairah PJSC |
| Established / operations began | 1982 / 1984 |
| Headquarters | Fujairah, UAE |
| Stock listing | Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange, ticker NBF |
| Ownership (as of Aug 31, 2026) | Fujairah Government entities 62.91% combined, Easa Saleh Al Gurg LLC 18.54%, UAE citizen shareholders 18.55% |
| Branches | 15 total: 7 Fujairah, 3 Dubai, 3 Abu Dhabi, 1 Sharjah, 1 Ras Al Khaimah |
| ATMs and CDMs | 74 nationwide |
| Employees | 878 as of December 31, 2025 |
| 2025 net profit after tax | AED 1.2 billion, up 41.8% year over year |
| 2025 total assets | AED 69.4 billion |
| Credit ratings | Moody’s Baa1 stable, S&P BBB+ stable, Capital Intelligence A- stable |
| Primary SWIFT/BIC code | NBFUAEAFXXX |
| NBF Direct App ratings | iOS 4.6/5, Google Play 3.2/5 |
| Islamic banking | Yes, through the NBF Islamic window |
✓ Best For
- Corporate clients and SME owners who need trade finance, cash management, and treasury support
- Businesses trading in precious metals, diamonds, or commodities, a niche NBF has served for over 40 years
- UAE nationals and residents based in Fujairah or the Northern Emirates, where NBF has its densest branch coverage
- Customers who want Shariah-compliant financing through the bank’s dedicated Islamic banking window
- Priority Banking clients who want a dedicated relationship manager instead of a call center queue
✗ Not Ideal For
- Anyone who wants the UAE’s largest branch and ATM footprint: NBF runs 15 branches and 74 ATMs, far fewer than the UAE’s biggest retail banks
- Digital-first customers hoping for a slick, challenger-bank-style app: Android reviewers rate the NBF Direct App 3.2 out of 5
- Residents of Umm Al Quwain, where NBF has no branch or ATM presence at all
NBF Branches by Emirate
NBF operates 15 full-service branches across 5 emirates, concentrated in its home emirate of Fujairah. The chart below shows the verified branch count by emirate as listed on NBF’s own branch locator.
NBF Pros & Cons
✓ Pros
- A genuine trade finance specialist. NBF’s track record in trade finance, precious metals, and commodity financing goes back more than 40 years, and it still shows.
- Government-backed stability. Fujairah Government entities hold a combined 62.91% of shares, giving depositors and corporate clients a strong ownership backstop.
- Investment-grade credit ratings. NBF carries Baa1 (Moody’s), BBB+ (S&P), and A- (Capital Intelligence) ratings, all with a stable outlook.
- Early mover in Islamic finance infrastructure. NBF was the first conventional bank to join the Nasdaq Dubai Murabaha Platform, in December 2017.
- Strong 2025-2026 financial momentum. Record 2025 profit of AED 1.2 billion was followed by a further 10.2% profit increase in the first half of 2026.
- Unmatched Fujairah coverage. No other UAE bank maintains as dense a branch presence within Fujairah itself.
✗ Cons
- A thin retail network. 15 branches and 74 ATMs is a small footprint next to the UAE’s largest consumer banks.
- A patchy Android experience. The NBF Direct App scores 3.2 out of 5 from 940 Google Play reviews, well behind its 4.6 out of 5 iOS rating.
- Consumer products trail the market. Credit card rewards structures and everyday digital features lag behind banks built primarily for retail customers.
- No footprint in 2 emirates. Umm Al Quwain has zero NBF presence, and Ajman is limited to third-party ATM access only.
- Short branch hours at smaller locations. The Masafi, Qidfah, and Tawian branches close at 1:00 pm Monday through Thursday and Saturday.
NBF Popular Products
NBF Priority Banking
Who it’s for: Anyone who keeps an average banking balance of AED 350,000 or more in deposits and investments with NBF.
Priority Banking customers get a dedicated relationship manager, fee-free banking on many everyday transactions, fast-track processing, and free international transfers through NBF Direct online and mobile banking. The package also includes a Visa Infinite credit card and a Visa Platinum debit card.
Worth noting: Dropping below the AED 350,000 average balance can move you onto a standard account package, with the fees Priority customers are normally shielded from. It is worth monitoring your balance if you are near the threshold.
NBF AlSamy For High-Net-Worth Clients
Who it’s for: Clients who hold at least AED 1 million in deposits and investments, or who carry home financing above AED 5 million with NBF.
AlSamy is NBF’s tier above Priority Banking, built around a senior relationship manager, priority queuing, and concierge service. Benefits include preferential rates on home, personal, and auto financing, a multi-currency debit card in AED, USD, EUR, and GBP with no conversion fees, and access to the Thriwe lifestyle benefits platform.
NBF Infinite Credit Card Best for Travel and Lifestyle
Who it’s for: Applicants earning at least AED 40,000 a month, or existing NBF Priority customers.
The card carries no annual fee for life and includes unlimited airport lounge access through the Visa Airport Companion app, which covers over 1,200 lounges worldwide. It also bundles travel insurance and concierge assistance, with accelerated earning on dining, travel, and international spend.
Interest runs 2.49% per month on outstanding balances, and late payments carry a fee of AED 230, capped under Central Bank of the UAE rules. Below Infinite, NBF’s Classic and Platinum Visa cards also carry no annual fee, both at a 2.99% monthly interest rate.
Reality check: Sign-up cashback offers on NBF cards change often and had expired at the time of writing. Check the bank’s current offers page directly rather than relying on a figure quoted elsewhere.
NBF Ajyal Account For Young UAE Nationals
Who it’s for: UAE nationals aged 18 to 25 who are students, recent graduates, or first-time employees.
Ajyal is opened through the NBF Instant app using an Emirates ID and a selfie, and pairs a Basic savings account with no minimum balance with the higher-yield Max Saver account. Cardholders get a Platinum credit card with no annual fee, NBF Rewards points, and free cash withdrawals from over 6,000 ATMs in the UAE through partner networks.
Outside Ajyal, NBF’s personal banking suite covers current accounts, savings accounts, and fixed deposits in AED and major foreign currencies, with salary-transfer customers exempt from minimum balance requirements on most of these products.
NBF Fees & Charges
NBF’s charges are broadly in line with UAE market norms. Figures below are taken from NBF’s own published Schedule of Charges; always cross-check the latest version before committing, since these are revised periodically.
| Fee Type | Amount | Details |
| Minimum Balance Fee (Standard account) | AED 25/month | Charged if your average monthly balance drops below AED 2,500; salary-transfer customers are usually exempt |
| Minimum Balance Fee (Classic account) | AED 75/month breach fee, plus AED 20/month maintenance | Requires AED 15,000 average monthly balance |
| Foreign Currency Transaction Fee | 2% on debit cards, 2.50% on credit cards | Applied on foreign-currency card spend |
| International SWIFT Transfer | AED 50 online, AED 75 at a branch | Personal Banking segment; correspondent bank charges may apply on top. Free for Priority Banking via NBF Direct |
| Early Account Closure | AED 100 | Applies only if the account is closed within 6 months of opening |
| Credit Card Late Payment | AED 230 | Capped under UAE Central Bank guidelines; interest runs 2.49%-2.99% per month depending on card tier |
| Cheque Stop Payment | AED 50 | Per cheque |
| Safe Deposit Locker | AED 400-1,500/year | Depends on locker size |
Priority Banking and AlSamy clients typically get reduced rates or outright waivers on several of these charges, one of the more tangible perks of qualifying for a higher tier.
How to Open an NBF Account
UAE residents can open a standard NBF account at any branch in about 1 to 3 business days for salaried applicants. The steps below apply to a personal current or savings account.
- Gather your documents: a valid passport with at least 6 months’ validity, your Emirates ID, a salary certificate or proof of income, and proof of UAE address such as an Ejari certificate or utility bill.
- Visit an NBF branch or start the process through the NBF Instant app, where available for your account type.
- Choose your account type: Standard, Classic, or Priority Banking if you meet the AED 350,000 balance threshold.
- Complete the application and any required in-branch verification.
- Fund the account to meet the minimum balance for your account type, if applicable.
- Collect your debit card and register for NBF Direct online and mobile banking.
NBF Credit Ratings
NBF holds investment-grade ratings from all 3 agencies that cover it, each with a stable outlook. These ratings factor in a high likelihood of government support given the Fujairah Government’s majority stake.
| Agency | Long-Term Rating | Short-Term Rating | Outlook | As Of |
| Moody’s | Baa1 | P-2 | Stable | July 2026 |
| S&P Global Ratings | BBB+ | A-2 | Stable | July 2026 |
| Capital Intelligence | A- | A2 | Stable | August 2026 |
Digital Experience
NBF Direct App: iOS 4.6/5, Google Play 3.2/5
iOS reviewers rate the NBF Direct App 4.6 out of 5 from roughly 2,200 ratings on the App Store. Google Play reviewers rate it 3.2 out of 5 from 940 reviews, a noticeably rougher experience on Android.
The app handles balance checks, domestic UAEFTS transfers, international SWIFT payments, bill payments, credit card management, mobile cheque deposit, and beneficiary management. A companion NBF Direct Security Token app adds 2-factor authentication for higher-risk web banking actions.
Online Banking
NBF Direct Online Banking covers statement downloads, internal and external transfers, standing instructions, and beneficiary management. It is a stable, no-frills platform rather than a feature-rich one, and more complex requests such as account closures still require a branch visit or phone call.
NBF Contact Information & Customer Support
| Channel | Details |
| Customer Care (Inside UAE) | 600 565551 |
| Customer Care (Outside UAE) | +971 4 815 7555 |
| Registered Office | Hamad Bin Abdullah Street, P.O. Box 887, Fujairah, UAE |
| General Management Office | Dubai, P.O. Box 2979, UAE |
| Dubai Branch SWIFT/BIC | NBFUAEAFDXB |
| Domestic Routing Code | 703820101 |
| Unresolved Complaints | Sanadak, the UAE’s financial dispute resolution body: 800 72 623 25 or sanadak.gov.ae |
| General Enquiries | Online contact form on nbf.ae, or any branch |
For exact branch phone numbers, the fastest routes are still nbf.ae’s branch and ATM locator or a direct branch visit; some in-branch contact numbers are not published on the main site.
NBF Branch & Coverage
NBF runs 15 branches and 74 ATMs and cash deposit machines nationwide, per its own branch locator. Coverage skews heavily toward Fujairah, with 7 branches there against 3 each in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and 1 each in Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah.
Standard branch hours run Monday to Thursday and Saturday from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm, with Fridays trimmed to 7:30 am to 12:30 pm. The Masafi, Qidfah, and Tawian branches in Fujairah keep shorter hours, closing at 1:00 pm on working days, while the Fujairah Court branch runs until 3:30 pm Monday to Thursday. Branches flagged “POD Friendly” on NBF’s locator, including Bur Dubai, Fujairah, and Abu Dhabi, extend service beyond standard hours for select transactions.
Coverage thins out considerably outside these 5 emirates. Ajman customers can access NBF only through third-party ATMs at select hypermarkets and exchange houses, such as Nesto Hypermarket and Ajman Lulu Exchange; there is no full-service branch. Umm Al Quwain has no NBF branch or ATM presence at all.
For customers based in either emirate, this is arguably the single biggest practical limitation of banking with NBF, worth weighing against the bank’s other strengths before committing. Beyond its own network, NBF places off-site ATMs and cash deposit machines at malls, exchange houses, and hypermarkets across the country, which softens, though does not eliminate, the branch-count disadvantage for routine cash transactions.
The Licence Details NBF Publishes About Itself
The name says Fujairah. The registered office does not.
NBF’s own site states that National Bank of Fujairah PJSC has its registered office at P.O. Box 2979, Dubai, and operates under UAE Central Bank licence number BSD/799/84.
| Detail | What NBF publishes |
| Legal name | National Bank of Fujairah PJSC |
| Registered office | P.O. Box 2979, Dubai, United Arab Emirates |
| Central Bank licence number | BSD/799/84 |
| Instant payments | Aani, listed on NBF’s own site |
| Corporate channels | NBF Corporate Access and its mobile app, host to host, SWIFT for Corporates, API banking, SWIFT GPI |
The licence number is useful if you ever need to identify the bank precisely on a regulatory form or a complaint.
What NBF Charges a Business
NBF publishes a wholesale banking schedule of charges. These are the figures a company account actually runs into.
All charges below are stated exclusive of tax. NBF applies any tax on top.
| Charge | Amount |
| Current account minimum monthly average balance | AED 100,000, or by arrangement for customers with facilities |
| Call deposit minimum monthly average balance | AED 250,000, or USD 100,000 equivalent in other currencies |
| Fall below fee | AED 250 |
| Account maintenance fee | AED 10 per month |
| Minimum term deposit | AED 10,000, or by arrangement |
| Counter AED cash deposit or withdrawal | Free up to AED 500,000, then AED 200 |
| Counter foreign currency cash | 0.125%, minimum AED 25 |
| Cheque book | AED 1 per leaf, in 25 and 50 leaf books |
| Local clearing cheques | Free |
| Inward cheque return | AED 250 per cheque |
| Outward cheque return | AED 100 per cheque |
| Stop payment | AED 100 per cheque |
| Special clearing, inward and outward | AED 95.24 per cheque |
| Post-dated cheque warehousing | AED 25 per cheque |
| Demand draft or cashier’s order, issued electronically | AED 30 |
| Demand draft or cashier’s order, issued manually | AED 50 |
| Foreign currency payment, electronic | AED 35, plus correspondent bank fees |
| Foreign currency payment, manual | AED 100, plus correspondent bank fees |
| Inward remittance in AED | AED 1 |
| Inward remittance in foreign currency | AED 20 |
| SWIFT copy | AED 15 |
| Standing instruction set up, electronic | Free |
| Standing instruction set up, manual | AED 50 |
| Standing instruction failure, insufficient funds | AED 100 per instruction |
| Duplicate account statement | AED 100 per statement |
| Courier, local and international | AED 150 and AED 250 |
| SMS service | Free |
Doing it electronically is not a small saving at NBF, it is the whole difference. A foreign currency payment costs AED 35 through NBF Corporate Access and AED 100 manually. Standing instructions are free to set up electronically and AED 50 manually.
Cards for businesses
| Card charge | Corporate credit card | Business debit card |
| Annual fee | AED 400 per card | AED 150 per card, per customer |
| Interest rate | 2.25% per month | Not applicable |
| Card replacement | AED 150 | AED 25 |
| Cash advance | 4%, minimum AED 50 | Not listed |
| Over limit fee | AED 125 | Not applicable |
| Late payment fee | AED 125 | Not applicable |
| Point of sale transaction | Free | Not listed |
| Foreign currency transaction | Not listed | 2.50% |
The corporate credit card rate is 2.25% a month. Treat it as short-term working capital, not a borrowing facility.
Payroll and WPS
Wages Protection System files cost AED 300 plus AED 5 per record when submitted manually, and AED 100 plus AED 3 per record electronically.
Payroll cards cost AED 3 per card to set up and AED 7 per card a month to maintain.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I open an NBF account as a UAE resident?
You need a valid passport with at least 6 months’ validity, your Emirates ID, proof of income such as a salary certificate, and proof of UAE address like an Ejari certificate or utility bill. Visit any branch with these documents; salaried residents typically have accounts opened within 1 to 3 business days.
Can non-residents open an account with NBF?
Yes, though options are limited and generally tied to property ownership, investment activity, or an existing business relationship in the UAE. Expect to provide a passport, proof of overseas address, a bank reference letter, and a minimum opening deposit.
What is NBF’s minimum balance requirement?
Salary-transfer customers are generally exempt. Standard current accounts need an average monthly balance of AED 2,500 to avoid the AED 25 fall-below fee, while Priority Banking requires an AED 350,000 average balance with no penalty attached.
How long do international transfers take?
Standard SWIFT transfers usually clear within 1 to 3 business days depending on the destination and correspondent banks involved. Domestic UAEFTS transfers typically settle the same business day.
What is NBF’s SWIFT code?
The primary code is NBFUAEAFXXX, with branch-specific variants such as NBFUAEAFDXB for Dubai and NBFUAEAFSHJ for Sharjah. Check your chequebook, online banking profile, or a SWIFT code lookup for the exact code tied to your branch.
How do I close my NBF account?
Visit a branch with your Emirates ID and debit card, having already cleared any outstanding balances and cancelled linked products like loans or standing instructions. Processing generally takes 5 to 7 business days, and an AED 100 fee applies if you close within 6 months of opening.
Does NBF offer Islamic banking?
Yes. The bank operates a dedicated Shariah-compliant window covering Murabaha financing, Islamic deposits, and Islamic treasury products, and was the first conventional UAE bank to join the Nasdaq Dubai Murabaha Platform, in December 2017.
Who can open an NBF Ajyal account?
Ajyal is for UAE nationals aged 18 to 25 who are students, recent graduates, or first-time employees, not for children. It opens through the NBF Instant app with an Emirates ID and a selfie.
How many branches does NBF operate, and is it a safe bank to use?
NBF runs 15 full-service branches, concentrated in Fujairah with smaller footprints in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and Ras Al Khaimah, backed by 74 ATMs nationwide. On safety, the bank is regulated by the Central Bank of the UAE, listed on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange, majority government-owned, holds stable investment-grade ratings from Moody’s, S&P, and Capital Intelligence, and posted a record AED 1.2 billion net profit in 2025.
Where is National Bank of Fujairah actually registered?
Dubai. NBF’s own site gives its registered office as P.O. Box 2979, Dubai, and its UAE Central Bank licence number as BSD/799/84, despite the Fujairah name.
What minimum balance does an NBF business account need?
AED 100,000 as a monthly average on a current account, or by arrangement if you hold facilities. A call deposit needs AED 250,000. The fall below fee is AED 250.
How much does an NBF corporate credit card cost?
AED 400 a year per card, with interest at 2.25% a month. Cash advances cost 4% with a minimum of AED 50, and both the over limit and late payment fees are AED 125.
Does NBF support Aani instant payments?
Yes. Aani is listed on NBF’s own site alongside its other payment channels.
Where do I escalate a complaint NBF has not resolved?
To Sanadak, the independent ombudsman unit created under the Central Bank of the UAE. Complain to NBF first and wait 30 calendar days from the date they received it.
Official sources
Everything above is compiled from primary sources fetched directly from NBF and its regulators. Check these directly before you act, because fees and product terms change often and without notice.
- Official website: National Bank of Fujairah for current products, eligibility rules, and the published schedule of fees.
- Credit ratings: NBF’s credit rating page for the latest Moody’s, S&P, and Capital Intelligence assessments.
- Regulator: Central Bank of the UAE, which licenses and supervises every bank operating in the UAE and handles escalated consumer complaints.
- Dispute resolution: Sanadak, the UAE’s financial dispute resolution body, for complaints NBF has not resolved to your satisfaction.
- SWIFT/BIC lookup: Wise’s SWIFT code directory to confirm the exact code for a given NBF branch.
- 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
- Commercial Bank International CBI
- 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.