The Saudi National Bank (SNB) operates in the UAE as a foreign bank branch, not a locally incorporated bank. It runs two physical branches, in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and is supervised by the Central Bank of the UAE.
SNB is the largest bank in Saudi Arabia by assets, formed in 2021 when National Commercial Bank (NCB) merged with Samba Financial Group. Its UAE branches serve GCC nationals, UAE residents and businesses that need a banking link to Saudi Arabia.
This review covers what SNB actually offers account holders in the UAE: branches, ATMs, the SWIFT code, fees and who is eligible to open an account. Figures below come from SNB’s own UAE fee schedule and official pages, checked in September 2026.
SNB UAE is not a walk-in retail bank for every resident. Its personal accounts are limited to GCC nationals and residents; non-resident, non-GCC applicants cannot open a retail account here.
Overall Rating
| Category | Score |
| Account Variety | 9/10 |
| Digital Banking | 8.5/10 |
| Customer Support | 7.5/10 |
| Fee Transparency | 7/10 |
| Branch Network | 9/10 |
| Business Banking | 9/10 |
| Overall Score | 8.2/10 |
This score reflects SNB’s overall banking group. See our ratings methodology for how we score each bank.
UAE Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
| Legal entity in UAE | The Saudi National Bank (Dubai Branch), a foreign bank branch |
| Parent bank | Saudi National Bank (SNB AlAhli), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia |
| UAE regulator | Central Bank of the UAE |
| UAE branches | 2: Dubai (Downtown Dubai) and Abu Dhabi |
| UAE ATMs | 8 locations across Dubai and Abu Dhabi |
| SWIFT/BIC code (Dubai Branch) | SAMBAEAD, or SAMBAEADXXX in full |
| SWIFT/BIC code (DIFC Branch) | SAMBAEAC |
| Online banking portal | snbuae.alahli.com |
| Mobile app | SNB UAE, on the App Store and Google Play |
| Instant payments | Aani, free for SNB UAE customers |
| Customer care hours | 8:30am to 3:00pm, Monday to Thursday and Saturday |
| VAT registration number | 100053529200003 |
| UAE toll-free number | 800 55000 |
| Account eligibility | GCC nationals and UAE residents, 18 and above |
| Banking type | Conventional and Islamic (Wessam) |
Best For
- GCC nationals and UAE residents who already bank with SNB in Saudi Arabia
- Businesses with trade or payment links to Saudi Arabia
- Customers who want Shariah-compliant banking through the Wessam range
- Private banking clients who want a dedicated relationship manager
Not Ideal For
- Non-resident, non-GCC applicants: SNB UAE does not open retail accounts for this group
- Anyone who needs a branch outside Dubai or Abu Dhabi
- Customers who want mortgage or home finance products. SNB UAE’s published product list does not include one
- Tourists or short-term visitors
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Backed by the largest bank in Saudi Arabia by assets
- No account balance maintenance fee on personal accounts, per the Jan 2026 UAE fee schedule
- No account closure fee
- Free debit card issuance and no annual card fee
- Wessam range gives a Shariah-compliant option alongside conventional accounts
- Free instant transfers through Aani, 24/7, for amounts under AED 50,000
- No fee to withdraw cash at SNB UAE ATMs or at any other UAE ATM on the UAE Switch network
- Inward remittances arrive free, in AED or in another currency
- SNB gives 60 days notice before it revises published pricing
Cons
- Only 2 branches in the entire UAE, both limited to Dubai and Abu Dhabi
- Retail accounts closed to non-resident, non-GCC applicants
- Overdraft interest runs to 19% a year on the debit balance
- No mortgage or home finance product listed for the UAE branch
- No credit card and no personal loan in SNB’s published UAE product range
- Customer care closes at 3:00pm and is shut on Sundays
- Aani sign-up is not self-service. It takes up to 3 working days after you submit the form
Personal and Private Banking in the UAE
SNB UAE offers a current account, a savings account and an overdraft facility. Both the current and savings accounts carry a published minimum balance of AED 0, per SNB’s UAE Key Facts Statement.
Accounts are open to applicants aged 18 and above who are UAE residents or GCC nationals. SNB’s own current account page states the account is not available to non-resident, non-GCC nationals.
The Wessam and Gold Wessam tiers are SNB’s Islamic and premium personal banking programs in the UAE. The Elite program and Private Banking division sit above these, adding a dedicated relationship manager, investment support and a concierge service.
Business and Corporate Banking
SNB’s UAE corporate division covers cash management, corporate finance, trade services, guarantee services and payment and collection solutions. This is where the bank’s Saudi Arabia network is a genuine advantage for businesses trading between the two markets.
SNB UAE offers an online corporate account opening route through its website. Documentation requirements are not published in full, so confirm the exact list with the bank before applying.
Wealth and Investment Services
Personal Wealth Management is available to SNB UAE personal banking customers. Private Banking clients get a separate investment service plus a concierge desk.
SNB does not publish a minimum investable asset threshold for UAE private banking eligibility. Ask a relationship manager directly rather than relying on a figure that is not on the bank’s own site.
Fees and Charges
These figures come from SNB’s UAE Schedule of Fees and Charges, effective January 2026. Fees can change, so confirm the current schedule before you commit to a product.
| Fee | Amount (personal banking) |
| Account balance maintenance fee | Nil |
| Account closure fee | Nil |
| Debit card issuance | Nil |
| Debit card annual fee | Nil |
| Debit card replacement | AED 25 |
| International debit card delivery | AED 150 (waived for Private Banking) |
| Cheque returned on your account | AED 100 per cheque |
| Cheques for collection outside UAE | AED 250 |
| Foreign currency card transaction processing | 2% plus the card scheme’s FX fee |
| Interest on debit balance (overdraft) | 19% per annum |
Some fees vary by tier (Personal Banking, Wessam, Gold Wessam, Private Banking) and we could not confirm every tier-by-tier figure from the published PDF with full confidence. Check the full UAE fee schedule for your specific account tier.
SWIFT Code, IBAN and International Transfers
SNB’s SWIFT/BIC code for the Dubai Branch is SAMBAEAD (full 11-character form: SAMBAEADXXX). This is the code to give anyone sending you an international transfer.
The code traces back to Samba Financial Group, SNB’s merger partner, and remains active under SNB. Always pair it with your full IBAN, which SNB issues when you open an account.
Two independent SWIFT registries list SAMBAEAD as active for the Dubai Branch. They do not agree on the registered address, so quote the code on a transfer form and let your own bank handle the rest.
Wise records the branch address as Emaar Square, Building 2. TheSwiftCodes records 801 Building, Sheikh Rashid Bin Mohamed Blvd 2, Umm Suqeim.
SNB has a second UAE BIC as well. SAMBAEAC is registered to The Saudi National Bank (DIFC Branch) at Gate Building, Floor 6, DIFC Gate District, Dubai.
| Registered entity | SWIFT/BIC | Address on the registry |
| The Saudi National Bank (Dubai Branch) | SAMBAEAD, or SAMBAEADXXX in full | Emaar Square, Building 2 per Wise; 801 Building, Umm Suqeim per TheSwiftCodes |
| The Saudi National Bank (DIFC Branch) | SAMBAEAC | Gate Building, Floor 6, Unit GD-GB-00-06-OF-W1, DIFC Gate District |
Digital Banking
SNB’s UAE customers bank online through SNB UAE Online and the SNB Mobile app, both named directly on SNB’s UAE site. We could not verify a current App Store or Google Play rating for the UAE version of the app.
Confirmed digital features
- Balance, statement and transaction history access
- Domestic and international fund transfers
- Update your KYC and account details online
- Online corporate account opening for eligible businesses
Do not rely on app store star ratings you see elsewhere for this bank. Check the listing yourself before deciding, since ratings and review counts change constantly.
Contact Information and Customer Support
| Channel | Detail |
| Toll-free (within UAE) | 800 55000 |
| International (from overseas) | +971 4 7091650 |
| Dubai Branch direct line | +971 4 709 1111 |
| uaeservice@alahli.com | |
| Dubai Branch address | Emaar Square, Building 2, Ground Floor, Downtown Dubai, P.O. Box 6038, Dubai |
| Abu Dhabi Branch address | Al Mansoor Tower, Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Street (Salam Street), Abu Dhabi |
If a complaint is not resolved by SNB UAE directly, escalate it to the Central Bank of the UAE, which supervises every foreign bank branch operating in the country.
Branches and ATMs
SNB operates exactly 2 branches in the UAE and 8 ATMs, all confirmed on the bank’s own “Locate Us” page in September 2026.
| Location | Type | Address |
| Downtown Dubai | Branch and ATM | Emaar Square, Building 2, Ground Floor |
| Mall of the Emirates | ATM | Entrance D, Level 1 |
| The Walk, JBR | ATM | Rimal Block, next to Paul Restaurant |
| Dubai Mall | ATM | LG Level, opposite Waitrose and du |
| Bay Avenue Mall | ATM | South entrance, in front of reception |
| Business Bay | ATM | Opposite Business Bay Metro Station |
| Dubai Marina Mall | ATM | P Floor, near Waitrose |
| Abu Dhabi | Branch and ATM | Al Mansoor Tower, Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Street |
A DIFC entity does exist on the SWIFT registry under the BIC SAMBAEAC. It is not on SNB’s own Locate Us page, which lists only the Downtown Dubai and Abu Dhabi branches.
Treat DIFC as a corporate and institutional address, not a branch you can walk into for retail service. Call SNB before you go.
How to Open an Account
- Confirm you are a UAE resident or GCC national aged 18 or above.
- Visit the Dubai or Abu Dhabi branch, since SNB UAE does not offer fully remote retail account opening.
- Bring your Emirates ID or GCC national ID and passport.
- Ask the branch which supporting documents apply to your case, since SNB does not publish a full list online.
- For a corporate account, start the application through SNB’s online corporate account opening page.
Branch and Customer Care Hours
SNB UAE runs 8:30am to 3:00pm on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday. Friday is split into 2 windows.
Sunday is a day off, along with UAE public holidays. These hours come from SNB’s own UAE contact page.
| Day | Hours |
| Monday to Thursday | 8:30am to 3:00pm |
| Friday | 8:30am to 12:00pm, then 2:00pm to 3:30pm |
| Saturday | 8:30am to 3:00pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
| Public holidays | Closed |
What Transfers Cost
Money coming in is free. Money going out costs between nothing and AED 100, depending on the currency, the channel and your tier.
All figures below are from SNB’s UAE Schedule of Fees and Charges dated January 2026. Every one of them is quoted before 5% VAT.
| Transfer | Personal Banking | Wessam | Gold Wessam | Private Banking |
| Inward remittance, AED or foreign currency | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil |
| Outward in AED within the UAE, online | AED 1 | AED 1 | Nil | Nil |
| Outward in AED within the UAE, at a branch | AED 5 | AED 5 | Nil | Nil |
| Outward in AED to outside the UAE | AED 5 | AED 5 | AED 5 | AED 5 |
| Outward in foreign currency, branch or online | AED 100 | AED 75 | AED 75 | Nil |
| Demand draft or manager’s cheque, issue or cancel | AED 75 | AED 75 | AED 75 | Nil |
| Foreign currency deposit or withdrawal | 1% of the amount | 0.75% | 0.50% | 0.50% |
One trap sits in the footnotes. Send AED outside the UAE and pick the OUR charge option, and a further AED 100 correspondent bank charge applies.
Pick the SHA option instead and that AED 100 is waived. The schedule states this directly.
Instant Payments Through Aani
SNB UAE customers pay nothing to use Aani, the UAE’s instant payment service. SNB states this on its own Aani page.
Aani runs 24/7 for amounts under AED 50,000. You send to a UAE mobile number, so you do not need the other person’s IBAN.
How to get Aani switched on
- Fill in SNB’s Aani Enrollment Form.
- Hand it in at the SNB UAE branch, or send it from your registered email address to uaeservice@alahli.com.
- Allow 3 working days for SNB to complete the enrollment.
- Set up your SNB UAE Online credentials at snbuae.alahli.com first if you have not already. The Aani app needs them.
- Download the Aani app and follow the authentication steps.
Landline numbers do not work. Only an active UAE mobile number can be registered, entered as +971, 05 or starting from 5.
ATM Charges and On-Screen Services
Cash withdrawals inside the UAE are free, whether you use an SNB machine or someone else’s. The charge starts once you leave the country.
| Where you withdraw | Fee, all 4 tiers |
| SNB UAE ATMs | Nil |
| Other UAE ATMs, on the UAE Switch network | Nil |
| GCC Net ATMs, and ATMs outside the GCC | AED 6 and AED 20, see the note below |
The January 2026 schedule carries 2 overseas rows, GCC Net and outside the GCC, priced at AED 6 and AED 20. The PDF layout does not make clear which figure belongs to which row.
We are not going to guess on a fee. Check the schedule or call 800 55000 before you travel.
What an SNB UAE ATM can do
- Balance inquiry and mini statement
- Your last 3 debits and credits
- Cash withdrawal and cash deposit
- Debit card activation and PIN set
- Debit card PIN reset
Closing an SNB UAE Account
No. There is no charge to close an SNB UAE account, on any of the 4 personal tiers.
SNB does not publish a step-by-step closure process for its UAE branches. Start it by calling 800 55000 or emailing uaeservice@alahli.com.
If a closure or any other complaint stalls, you have a route past the bank. Complain to SNB first, wait 30 calendar days from the day they received it, then escalate to Sanadak, the independent ombudsman unit set up under the Central Bank of the UAE.
How Big Is SNB’s UAE Operation
Small by branch count, substantial by balance sheet. The Dubai and Abu Dhabi branches file their own audited accounts, separate from the Saudi parent.
At 31 December 2025 those branches held loans and advances of AED 3.6 billion. That was 44% of their total assets on the same date.
The allowance for expected credit losses against that book was AED 4.4 million. Deloitte and Touche (M.E.) signed the audit.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is Saudi National Bank licensed in the UAE?
Yes. It operates as a foreign bank branch under the name The Saudi National Bank (Dubai Branch), supervised by the Central Bank of the UAE.
Can anyone open an SNB account in the UAE?
No. SNB’s own current account page states the account is not available to non-resident, non-GCC nationals. You need to be a UAE resident or a GCC national aged 18 or above.
Does SNB UAE offer Islamic banking?
Yes, through the Wessam and Gold Wessam personal banking tiers, alongside its conventional accounts.
What is SNB’s SWIFT code in the UAE?
SAMBAEAD, for the Dubai Branch. This is different from SNB’s Saudi Arabia SWIFT code, NCBKSAJE, so use the UAE code for transfers into a UAE account.
Is there a minimum balance on SNB UAE personal accounts?
SNB’s UAE Key Facts Statement lists a minimum account balance of AED 0 for both current and savings accounts, and the fee schedule shows no account balance maintenance fee.
Where are SNB’s branches in the UAE?
Downtown Dubai and Abu Dhabi. These are the only 2 branches SNB lists for the UAE as of September 2026.
How do I contact SNB UAE customer service?
Call the toll-free number 800 55000 inside the UAE, or +971 4 7091650 from abroad. You can also email uaeservice@alahli.com.
How do I file a complaint against SNB UAE?
Raise it with SNB UAE first, on 800 55000 or at uaeservice@alahli.com. Keep the date they received it.
If 30 calendar days pass with no answer, or the answer does not satisfy you, take it to Sanadak. That is the independent ombudsman unit created under the Central Bank of the UAE.
What are SNB UAE’s working hours?
8:30am to 3:00pm Monday to Thursday and on Saturday. Friday runs 8:30am to 12:00pm and then 2:00pm to 3:30pm, and Sunday is closed.
Does SNB UAE issue credit cards?
No. SNB’s UAE site lists no credit card, and its January 2026 fee schedule prices debit cards only.
Is there a fee to close an SNB UAE account?
No. The account closure fee is Nil on Personal Banking, Wessam, Gold Wessam and Private Banking.
Can I use Aani with an SNB UAE account?
Yes, and SNB does not charge for it. You enroll by form, wait up to 3 working days, then send to any UAE mobile number 24/7 for amounts under AED 50,000.
What is the SWIFT code for SNB’s DIFC branch?
SAMBAEAC, registered to The Saudi National Bank (DIFC Branch) at Gate Building, Floor 6, DIFC Gate District. Use SAMBAEAD for the Downtown Dubai branch.
Where do I log in to SNB UAE online banking?
At snbuae.alahli.com. The mobile app is listed as SNB UAE on both the App Store and Google Play.
Does it cost anything to withdraw cash from an SNB UAE ATM?
No, and withdrawals at other UAE ATMs on the UAE Switch network are free too. Withdrawals outside the UAE are charged.
Official sources
Everything above is compiled from primary sources. Check these directly before you act, because fees and product terms change often and without notice.
- Official website: SNB UAE for current products, eligibility rules and branch details.
- Branches and ATMs: SNB UAE: Locate Us.
- Fees: UAE Schedule of Fees and Charges, January 2026.
- SWIFT code: TheSwiftCodes.com registry entry for SAMBAEAD.
- Regulator: Central Bank of the UAE, which licenses and supervises every bank operating in the UAE and handles escalated consumer complaints.
- Our method: how we research each bank and what our ratings mean is set out in our editorial policy and ratings methodology.
Other regional banks in the 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.