banking fundamentalsThe
Emirates' NBD Bank has its roots in the National Bank of Dubai, NBD, established on 19 June 1963, Dubai's first state-owned bank and carrying the city's early financial vision. On March 6, 2007, NBD merged with Emirates Bank International (EBI), marking the official birth of NBD in the UAE, and was successfully listed on the Dubai Financial Market (DFM) on October 16 of the same year. Subsequently, on 1 December 2012, the merger of Dubai Bank further strengthened its market position. The bank's headquarters stand majestically in the Deira district of Dubai, United Arab Emirates, which is the command center for its global operations.
In terms of shareholder background, UAE NBD has a strong state-owned pedigree, and its main controlling party is the Investment Corporation of Dubai (ICD), which holds a 41% stake in the bank as of March 31, 2025. This state-owned background provides banks with a solid national credit endorsement and strategic support, giving them a unique competitive advantage in regional and global financial markets. At the same time, banks are also actively embracing international capital, with foreign shareholding reaching 13.5% and the foreign shareholding limit raised to 40% in July 2020. This shows that the bank is committed to attracting international investment while maintaining the stability of the state, so as to achieve the diversification and globalization of the capital structure. This "tree-backed, global-oriented" strategy not only reduces risk perception, but also helps it gain trust and financing in international markets, thereby diversifying revenue streams, diversifying regional risks, and enhancing its position in the global financial system.
financialsoundness NBD in the UAE is in exemplary financial health, demonstrating strong resilience and profitability across key indicators. As of March 31, 2025, the Bank had a capital adequacy ratio (CAR) of 17.0% and a CET1 (Common Equity Tier 1) ratio of 15.8%. These figures are well above the Basel III minimum CET1 requirement of 7%, as well as the additional capital buffer requirement, demonstrating the bank's strong capital strength and superior risk resilience. These excellent financial figures are not only numerical performance, but also reflect the prudent strategy and effective execution of the bank's risk management at a deeper level. A high capital adequacy ratio means that banks have a strong cushion to absorb potential losses.
The following table lists the key financial indicators of NBD Bank in the United Arab Emirates:
Indicator values (as of March 31, 2025): Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR): 17.0%, Non-Performing Loan Ratio (NPL), 3.1%, Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR): 189.20% Total revenue (2024): AED 44.1 billion: Net profit (2024): AED 23 billion: Total assets (31 March 2025): AED 1.031 trillion: Total loans (31 March 2025): AED 548 billion:
AED
diversified financial products
Emirates NBD is committed to building a comprehensive and competitive financial product system to meet the diversified needs of different customer groups.
In terms of deposit products, the bank offers tiered savings accounts with interest rates of up to 0.50% and supports a variety of currencies such as UAE dirhams, US dollars and Saudi riyals. Interest rates are graded according to the amount of the deposit, for example, no interest on US dollar deposits under $10,000, 0.25% for $10,000 to $200,000, and 0.50% for deposits above $3 million. In addition, the bank offers flexible fixed deposit options with tenors ranging from 7 days to 5 years with a minimum deposit of AED 10,000. For customers looking for higher yields, the Steady Saver Deposit Account offers an attractive interest rate of up to 1.86%, with interest compounded every 3 months and paid at maturity. More specifically, the bank has launched Sustainable Deposit, which is not only a financial product, but also a manifestation of its commitment to sustainable development and offers competitive interest rates. In addition, Flexi Deposit Accounts and FlexiSweep Deposit offer flexible early and partial withdrawal options to meet customers' liquidity needs. Goal Recurring Deposits encourage long-term savings planning with a minimum monthly contribution of AED 500 or $200 for maturities ranging from 6 months to 5 years.
In terms of loan products, NBD in the UAE also offers a wide range of options. The effective interest rate for personal loans is 5.99% per annum. The car loan has a fixed interest rate of 2.69%, which translates to an annualized effective interest rate of 5.06%, and the loan term can be up to 60 months. It is worth noting that the threshold for car loans is relatively flexible, with a minimum loan amount of AED 25,000 and a maximum of AED 300,000, and can provide financing for used cars up to 12 years old, without even the need to provide proof of salary and a driver's license. The effective interest rate of the home loan is 7.20% per annum, with a minimum loan amount of AED 250,000 and a maximum loan amount of AED 5,000,000 and a loan term of up to 25 years.
forward-looking digital service experienceIn
the digital wave, NBD Bank of the United Arab Emirates has created a leading digital service experience with its forward-looking strategy and excellent execution. Its core mobile app, "ENBD X", has received a high user rating of 4.7 stars in the app store, which fully reflects the recognition of its convenience and functionality.
"ENBD X" and online banking provide a comprehensive set of core features that greatly simplify the day-to-day financial management of customers. Customers can easily view all card and account information, make real-time transfers, and manage bill payments. Notably, the ENBD X Wealth platform provides clients with access to 18 global stock markets, all three UAE exchanges, as well as new products such as fractional bonds, UAE mutual funds, and structured products. For private banking clients, the ENBD X platform enables paperless account setup in 60 seconds and access to more than 11,000 stocks and ETFs from 18 exchanges around the world, greatly improving the investment efficiency of high-net-worth clients. In addition, the bank also supports online updates of personal information such as passports, visas, UAE IDs, mobile phone numbers, and email addresses, and provides one-stop functions such as card management, loan management, and foreign exchange services. The introduction of biometric login has also further improved the convenience and security of login. The bank's digital achievements are significant, with 98% of new current accounts opened via mobile app or tablet, and mobile apps providing nearly 200 daily banking services, which together paint a picture of the penetration and user stickiness of its digital channels.
NBD Bank in the UAE Digital Services Core Functions and Innovations:
Category Features/FunctionsAPP & Online Banking NameENBD X User Rating4.7 Stars (App StoreCore FeaturesAccount Management, Real-time Transfers, Bill Management, Investment Tool Integration, Biometric Login, Information Update, Card Management, Loan Management, Foreign Exchange ServicesDigital Channel Penetration Rate98% New current accounts can be opened through mobile apps or tablets, technological innovation, AI applications, AI customer service (GenAI-driven account opening process), robo-advisors, active fraud detection, intelligent document recognition, AI-driven credit approval, open banking API construction, real-time, cloud-native platform support, embedded finance and open banking APIs; Partnering with iPiD to provide a global payee verification API and other innovative blockchain technology integrations; ATM X software (faster, more intuitive self-service); Real-time payment tracker, FXHUB
a robust security system
Emirates NBD Bank puts the security of customer funds and data at the core, and has built a multi-level and all-round security system.
In terms of fund security, the bank's deposits are guaranteed by a deposit protection scheme supervised by the Central Bank of the UAE. Although the exact amount of coverage varies from source to source (some mention up to AED 500,000 and others mention AED 100,000 or CHF 100,000), there is a clear deposit protection mechanism. In addition, the bank also offers Credit Shield Pro, a credit card insurance product that provides cardholders with protection against death, permanent disability and unemployment, further enhancing the financial safety net. In terms of anti-fraud technology, NBD actively cooperates with global payee verification service providers such as iPiD to conduct real-time payee verification through APIs to significantly enhance the security of cross-border payments and effectively reduce fraud and transaction failures. Banks have also invested significant resources internally in robust AI infrastructure for proactive fraud detection. At the same time, banks continue to remind customers to be vigilant against all kinds of fraudulent activities through various channels (e.g., websites, social media), including fraudulent phone calls, phishing emails, QR code phishing and bank card fraud, and emphasize not to share sensitive personal information. The bank has also partnered with the Emirates Banking Federation and the Central Bank of the UAE to actively engage in public anti-fraud awareness campaigns, demonstrating its proactive and coordinated approach to fraud prevention. This multi-layered, internal and external strategy aims to build a more comprehensive line of security to protect not only the bank itself, but also its customers from the increasingly sophisticated threat of online fraud.
unique services and market differentiationNBD
Bank has built a unique differentiation advantage in the fierce market competition through refined market segmentation strategies and high-end high-net-worth services.
In terms of market segments, banks offer customized products for different ages and needs. For example, the Youth Package, designed for younger customers between the ages of 18 and 25, has no minimum balance or salary requirements, waives the account opening fee, and comes with a free Youth Go4it debit card (which also functions as an RTA nol card). In addition, it offers customized savings plans, preferential interest rates, free domestic and international transfers, and 8 free over-the-counter transactions per month to attract and nurture a core customer base in the future. For elderly customers, NBD Egypt has a specific promotional campaign to provide priority banking services, including 24/7 lifestyle services (e.g. daigou, transportation services), which shows that the bank offers personalized care to senior customers in some markets.
Green financial products and ESG investment have been important differentiators for NBD in the UAE in recent years. The bank is a leader in sustainable finance, launching the UAE's first private sector ESG-linked working capital loan in 2024, not only as a product innovation, but also as a manifestation of its social responsibility. At the same time, the bank also launched the UAE NBD Sustainable Fixed Deposit and Sustainable Deposit Account, expanding the ESG investment options of individual customers. Its investment banking arm, Emirates NBD Capital, executed 29 ESG-labeled transactions totaling more than US$27 billion in 2024 and successfully issued the world's first sustainability-linked loan financing bond. The bank has set a target of US$30 billion in sustainable financing by 2030 and has so far completed 39.6%. On the retail side, more than $69 million in green loans for electric vehicles were provided, up 35% year-on-year, showing its positive role in promoting green consumption. This is not only a simple expansion of the product line, but also a manifestation of the bank's integration of ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) concepts into its core business. By offering sustainable financial products, banks are able to attract socially responsible customers and investors and enhance their brand image. It also helps banks stay ahead of the changing regulatory environment and consumer preferences and prepare for the future transition to a green economy.
In terms of high-net-worth clients, the UAE NBD has set a high threshold for private banking for clients with assets under management (AUM) of US$5 million (or currency equivalent) and above. These valued clients enjoy customized financial solutions, including dedicated senior relationship managers and wealth advisor services to provide personalized services and customized solutions. Services include investment advisory, trade execution (including in-house derivatives trading systems), Lombard loans (asset-based loans), offshore booking centers, and trust and estate planning. The bank enhances investment rigor through enhanced due diligence and holding fundamental analysis to provide clients with high-conviction emerging market strategies and competitive pricing. Its ENBD X digital platform provides ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW) clients with 60-second paperless account setup and access to more than 11,000 stocks and ETFs across 18 exchanges around the world.
market position and
honorsNBD Bank of the United Arab Emirates has occupied a pivotal position in the financial markets of the Middle East and even the world with its outstanding financial performance and innovation capabilities, and has won many honors.
In terms of industry rankings, UAE NBD is the largest financial institution in Dubai and one of the largest and most profitable banks in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region. As of the end of March 2025, it ranks fourth in the GCC region in terms of total assets and second in the UAE. In terms of authorized capital, UAE NBD ranks seventh in the Belarusian banking sector. In terms of market share of customer loans, Belagroprombank ranks second in Belarus with 20.3%.
