
UAE exchange house fined AED100mn for regulatory breaches
The Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE), on Thursday, fined an unnamed exchange house AED100 million due to what it called significant failures in the company's regulatory framework.
The financial sanction is based on the results of the findings of examinations conducted by the CBUAE, with regards to Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism and Illegal Organisations regulations.
The CBUAE, through its supervisory and regulatory mandates, endeavours to ensure that all exchange houses, their owners, and staff abide by UAE laws, regulations and standards to maintain transparency and integrity in financial transactions and safeguard the UAE financial system.
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Khaleej Times
an hour ago
- Khaleej Times
Central Bank of the UAE marks 50 years of financial stewardship and innovation
Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, while continuing to play a pivotal role in guiding the nation's financial landscape and propelling it onto the global stage with increasing speed. Since its establishment with the creation of the UAE Currency Board in 1973, Central Bank has emerged as a bedrock of stability and a catalyst for innovation, navigating the UAE through economic shifts and technological revolutions. 'Over the past five decades, CBUAE has not just overseen monetary policy, but has built the bedrock of confidence that has allowed the UAE to emerge as a regional and global financial centre,' says Jamal Saleh, Director-General of UAE Banks Federation (UBF). 'It has done this through decisive reforms and relentless focus on global best practices.' In 2008, when the financial crisis rippled through economies worldwide, UAE Central Bank was among the first in the region to adopt Basel III Standards, strengthening capital and liquidity buffers. As a result, the capital adequacy ratio of the UAE banking system today is higher than required. At the end of December 2023, it stood at 17.9 per cent —well above the 13 per cent minimum required under Basel III guidelines, according to the CBUAE's Monetary, Banking & Financial Markets Developments Report for Q4 2023. These reforms, says Saleh, 'have ensured that UAE's banks are not only safe but also capable of sustaining growth in the face of volatility.' In 2018, UAE Central Bank introduced the Federal AML/CFT Law, followed by the Executive Office for AML/CTF in 2020, aligning UAE's framework with the Financial Action Task Force's stringent standards. This was a significant step in paving the way to combat money laundering and terror financing. Equally striking has been CBUAE's proactive stance in times of crisis. At the height of Covid-19 pandemic, CBUAE launched the Targeted Economic Support Scheme (TESS), injecting more than Dh100 billion in liquidity to support businesses and protect jobs. 'The TESS programme was not merely a reaction — it was a strategic intervention that underpinned confidence in the banking sector,' says Saleh. Yet, CBUAE's ambition extends well beyond stability. Its National Payment Systems Strategy (NPSS), Digital Dirham (CBDC) pilot project, and the Financial Infrastructure Transformation (FIT) Programme underscore a clear vision for a future-ready financial system. 'Our member banks are investing heavily in modernising their systems to align with these initiatives,' says Saleh. 'From AI-powered risk management to open banking APIs, the sector is embracing the future with vigour.' UBF, which represents 63 members across the UAE, has been as a crucial partner in translating this vision into practice. Saleh describes the relationship between Central Bank and UBF as 'a model for constructive collaboration,' built on technical committees and joint working groups that ensure policy frameworks which are both practical and forward-looking. This close cooperation has yielded tangible outcomes. UBF has spearheaded efforts to promote Emiratisation in the banking sector, supporting CBUAE's workforce emiratisation targets, via dedicated cooperation with Emirates Institute of Finance (EIF), with training programmes and certifications tailored for Emirati professionals. On the consumer front, UBF's Code of Conduct — endorsed by UAE Central Bank — has helped standardise ethical practices and transparency across the sector. Sector's sustainability drive has also gained momentum. At COP28, which was hosted in Dubai, UBF pledged to mobilise over Dh1 trillion in sustainable/green finance by 2030. 'This is not an aspirational goal—it is a clear, actionable roadmap,' says Saleh, noting that some UBF member banks have already met more than half of their 2030 targets. RAKBANK's issuance of the GCC's first social bond last year and FAB's continued leadership in green bond issuance highlight UAE sector's growing appetite for ESG finance. Even amid shifting geopolitical dynamics and heightened regulatory scrutiny, Saleh remains greatly optimistic about UAE's positioning. 'Our capital adequacy ratios, liquidity coverage, and risk frameworks are among the strongest globally,' he says, pointing to the sector's consistent performance despite global derisking trends. According to Fitch Ratings, UAE banks achieved a pre-tax return on average equity (ROAE) of 22 per cent in 2024, up from 20 per cent in 2023, with several banks reporting ROAEs above 25 per cent. Looking ahead, Saleh believes that the next decade will see the UAE cementing its role as a global financial hub, propelled by continued investment in digital transformation, sustainability, and inclusive growth. 'The partnership between CBUAE and UBF exemplifies how public-private collaboration can foster responsible innovation and ensure UAE's place at the forefront of global finance,' he says. As our Central Bank charts its next chapter, the UAE's banking sector stands poised to bridge tradition with innovation, building a future-ready ecosystem that is as resilient as it is ambitious.


Khaleej Times
2 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
UAB congratulates the Central Bank of the UAE on its 50th anniversary
Shirish Bhide, Chief Executive Officer of United Arab Bank (UAB), extended his warmest congratulations to Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice-President, Deputy Prime Minister, Chairman of the Presidential Court and Chairman of the Board of the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) and to Khaled Mohamed Balama, Governor of CBUAE, on the momentous occasion of the central bank's golden jubilee — celebrating five decades of impactful contributions to the country's financial and economic development. 'The Central Bank of the UAE's unwavering commitment to stability, innovation, and sustainable growth has been instrumental in positioning the UAE as a leading global financial hub. Its pioneering efforts in digital transformation, green finance, and regulatory excellence continue to align with the nation's bold vision for a diversified, inclusive, and future-ready economy.' 'I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations and good wishes to the visionary leadership of the UAE on the 50th anniversary of CBUAE. The central bank's five-decade journey stands as a testament to progressive governance and an enduring pursuit of excellence.' Bhide reaffirmed United Arab Bank's full support for the central bank's strategic direction and emphasised the institution's active role in contributing to national priorities. 'At United Arab Bank, we are proud to operate under the robust regulatory framework set by the CBUAE. We remain deeply committed to supporting the national agenda — whether by enhancing financial inclusion, driving sustainable banking practices, or adopting innovative technologies that serve both our customers and the broader economy.' 'We are aligned with the Central Bank's Financial Infrastructure Transformation Programme and its digital infrastructure strategy. As a UAE-headquartered bank, we view our role as both a responsible partner in implementation and a catalyst for growth. We are also proud to support the country's Emiratisation efforts by investing in the development of the next generation of Emirati leaders.' 'The central bank's golden jubilee is a significant and inspiring milestone not only for the financial sector and banking industry, but for the nation as a whole. We celebrate this historic moment with gratitude for the central bank's leadership and guidance, and with a renewed commitment to collaborate in advancing innovation, financial inclusion and long term prosperity. Here's to honouring the past 50 years and building a brighter financial future together.'


Al Etihad
12 hours ago
- Al Etihad
UAE becoming a global leader in stablecoin adoption, regulation and bank integration
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