UAE Bank Investments Hit AED742.9 Billion in January, Marking 16.1% Annual Surge
Bank investments in the UAE continued their upward trajectory in January 2025, rising by AED7.3 billion month-on-month to reach AED742.9 billion, according to new data from the Central Bank of the UAE. This reflects a robust 16.1% increase compared to January 2024.
Debt securities held by banks saw a significant rise, growing 26.1% annually to AED332.3 billion. Meanwhile, held-to-maturity bonds reached AED335.7 billion—up 7.9% year-on-year but down slightly by 1.1% from December 2024.
Equity investments posted a strong 19.4% year-on-year gain, despite a 1.5% dip over the month, settling at AED19.1 billion. Other investment categories also showed resilience, climbing 13.2% year-on-year and 2.2% month-on-month to reach AED55.8 billion.
This growth in investments coincides with a healthy expansion in the broader banking sector. Total credit extended by banks reached AED2.186 trillion, up 9.5% from the previous year. Deposits followed suit, rising 11.8% annually to surpass AED2.84 trillion.
Banking sector assets stood at AED4.562 trillion by the end of January, marking an 11% year-on-year increase and a modest 0.1% uptick from December.
In terms of liquidity and transaction activity, the UAE Funds Transfer System (UAEFTS) processed over AED1.786 trillion in January, a jump of more than 18%. This included AED1.109 trillion in interbank transfers and AED677.64 billion in customer transactions.
Cheques cleared through image-based systems totalled AED118.48 billion across nearly 2 million cheques. Cash withdrawals from the Central Bank amounted to AED19.929 billion, while deposits reached AED15.217 billion.
These figures reflect continued confidence in the UAE's banking sector, underpinned by strong investment appetite and expanding financial activity across key segments.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
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