Empowering savers, building wealth: National Bonds strengthens commitment to financial prosperity
Dubai, United Arab Emirates — The growing commitment to financial security among UAE residents has fueled the success of structured savings schemes, with National Bonds leading the way. Positive saving sentiments—driven by trust, financial aspirations, and digital accessibility—have played a crucial role in this momentum. Customers are increasingly viewing savings as a path to empowerment rather than restriction, leading to stronger engagement and long-term commitment.
This shift is evident in National Bonds' latest achievements, with its investment portfolio surging to AED 15.8 billion, marking an impressive 22% growth over the past year. The surge in regular savers, digital adoption, and corporate solutions reflects a nationwide shift towards structured financial planning. Backed by innovative offerings, strategic investments, and customer-focused initiatives, National Bonds continues to reinforce its role as a trusted financial partner for individuals and businesses alike.
Strengthening this momentum, National Bonds has witnessed a 51% increase in regular savers. This growth underscores not only a heightened interest in structured savings but also a broader national movement towards a financially secure future—one that is closely aligned with the UAE's vision for economic diversification and long-term stability. While in 2024 alone, bondholders earned up to 4.75 % in returns on their savings.
The Role of Digital Innovation
Digital innovation remains at the core of National Bonds' growth strategy. The launch of the new mobile app has significantly enhanced accessibility, providing customers with seamless, real-time savings and investment management. In addition, the company has embraced artificial intelligence (AI) to personalize customer experiences and optimize engagement across multiple touchpoints. The integration of AI-driven insights and automated financial planning tools has led to a 41% increase in digital savings compared to 2023, reflecting the region's growing reliance on smart financial solutions. By continuously evolving its digital offerings, National Bonds is making saving more intuitive, efficient, and rewarding for individuals and businesses alike.
Securing the Future of Employees and Corporations
National Bonds has established itself as a beacon of pension and retirement planning in the UAE through pension solutions such as the Golden Pension Plan, in line with the UAE's growing focus on ensuring the long-term financial security of its workforce. Additionally, in 2024, it became one of the first entities to offer end-of-service schemes through a partnership with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE), helping companies provide their employees with a secure financial future after retirement.
Financial Literacy for the Next Generation
In line with its commitment to fostering a savings culture, National Bonds has also prioritized financial education for younger generations. The company's 'Young Investor Program', launched in collaboration with the Knowledge Fund Establishment, reached 10 schools and 1,900 students in 2024. The initiative aims to equip the next generation of UAE residents with the financial literacy skills necessary for long-term financial stability. By introducing students to the basics of saving and investing, National Bonds is ensuring that tomorrow's financial leaders are grounded in responsible planning and decision-making.
Further reinforcing its role as a financial empowerment leader, National Bonds has announced the launch of a free AI-based financial guidance service. In its annual Financial Resolutions Survey, 77% of respondents expressed a need for greater access to financial advice and planning tools to secure their futures. Responding to this demand, National Bonds is introducing AI-powered guidance to help individuals from all financial backgrounds navigate an evolving financial landscape with confidence.
A National Vision for Financial Stability
'As we navigate through an ever-evolving financial landscape, National Bonds remains committed to empowering individuals and families to achieve their financial goals with confidence. Through innovative solutions, trusted partnerships, and an unwavering dedication to customer-centric values, we continue to lead the way in fostering financial security and stability for our clients in the UAE,' said Khalifa Al Daboos, Chairman of National Bonds. 'With an 18-year legacy of trust and innovation, we continue to evolve our offerings, integrating digital transformation and AI-driven insights to make saving more accessible, rewarding, and future-ready.' Our competitive returns also reflects the ongoing success of our balanced investment strategy in view of the prevailing volatilities in the global markets.
'As we embrace the digital era, our focus remains on leveraging technology to enhance customer experience and financial well-being. From AI-powered engagement to seamless digital savings, we are aligning our vision with national priorities to proactively meet the evolving financial needs of the future,' Al Daboos added.
Mohammed Qasim Al Ali, Group CEO, added: 'At National Bonds, we take a proactive approach to understanding the future needs of individuals and businesses. By carefully assessing emerging trends and customer expectations, we are able to create products and solutions that align with the financial landscape of tomorrow. This foresight has contributed to a 22% year-on-year growth in our investment portfolio, while the 51% increase in regular savers reflects the confidence our customers place in our offerings. We focus on building a future-ready savings ecosystem that not only meets financial needs but also addresses the psychological barriers to saving, empowering customers to adopt positive saving behaviors with confidence.'
'Since our inception, National Bonds has remained committed to understanding both the financial and emotional aspects of saving. We aim to create a positive and encouraging environment that helps our customers overcome any challenges or hesitations about saving. Our AED 36 million annual rewards program and initiatives like luxury car prizes serve not only as tangible incentives but also as a way to inspire a disciplined savings culture. By addressing the factors that influence saving behavior, such as the power of positive sentiments, we help our customers build a sustainable saving mindset. As we continue to evolve, we will ensure our products and services align with the future financial aspirations of our customers.'
-Ends-
About National Bonds Corporation Sole Proprietorship PSC:
National Bonds Corporation is a Sharia-compliant savings and investment company owned by the Investment Corporation of Dubai, established in 2006. It is licensed and supervised by the Securities and Commodities Authority and is audited by the Dubai Government Audit Department, Sharia Supervisory Board as well as reputable International external auditors. The company provides UAE nationals, UAE residents, and non-residents with an opportunity to build and fortify their savings safety net, as well as invest in programs that offer competitive returns with lower risk. Its goal is to encourage disciplined savings habits for people across the 7 Emirates, in line with the UAE Government's Vision for a financially secure and sustainable future. National Bonds offers an exciting AED 36 Million Rewards Program to all savers, with monthly and quarterly prizes ranging from AED 1 million to various luxury cars. www.nationalbonds.ae
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hi Dubai
5 hours ago
- Hi Dubai
Common Compliance Mistakes That Could Cost Your Dubai Business
Starting a business in Dubai comes with endless opportunities, but success isn't guaranteed by vision alone; it's secured through compliance. With so many legal layers and regulatory updates, the question is no longer whether you're growing fast enough. It's this: Are you growing correctly? A simple oversight could lead to heavy fines, visa restrictions, or even losing your trade license. In this article, we explore the most common compliance mistakes businesses in Dubai make, how they happen, what the consequences are, and, most importantly, how to avoid them before it's too late. 1. Choosing the Wrong Business License for Your Activities When you set up a business in Dubai, your license must match every activity you plan to carry out. If it doesn't, you're not just bending the rules, you're violating them. What's the issue? Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) and Free Zone authorities issue licenses under specific categories like commercial, professional, industrial, or e-trader. If you operate outside the scope of the licensed activity, even by mistake, you're in non-compliance. Penalties and consequences AED 5,000 fine for unauthorized activity Up to AED 50,000 for repeated or severe cases Additional fines for operating during the grace period without renewal Risk of business suspension, visa cancellations, blacklisting, and even forced closure How to stay compliant Regularly review your business activity against your current license Update your license before adding new services or products Renew your license on time to avoid the risk of expiration-related fines Always keep your licensing documents accessible for inspection 2. Setting Up in the Wrong Jurisdiction (Mainland, Free Zone, Offshore) Not all jurisdictions are created equal. Where you register your company on the mainland, in a free zone, or offshore determines your scope of operations, visa abilities, and compliance responsibilities. What's the issue? Each structure has its own rules for labor, visas, and business activities. Choosing the wrong one can block your expansion plans or expose you to legal violations. Penalties and consequences Visa restrictions or inability to sponsor employees Legal violations for employing staff under the wrong labor code Fines or operational limitations for exceeding business activity permissions Blacklisting for operating an offshore company onshore How to stay compliant Match your business model with the right jurisdiction based on your customers and operations Verify visa and labor law rules before hiring Consult legal experts when setting up or expanding your business to ensure proper structure from the beginning Understand office space and visa quota requirements to avoid future disruptions While Economic Substance Regulations (ESR) were once essential, new rules under the the UAE's Corporate Tax regime now govern the compliance landscape. What's the issue? Many businesses are still focused on ESR filings even though the rules have changed. Failing to meet current substance requirements under Corporate Tax could result in tax issues. Penalties and consequences (for older ESR non-compliance) AED 20,000 for missing notification AED 50,000 for incomplete or incorrect reports AED 400,000 for repeated violations Possible license suspension or blacklisting How to stay compliant Ensure all ESR reports were submitted for financial years ending before 2023 Focus on meeting Corporate Tax substance standards through UAE-based staff, office space, and real business control Consult tax professionals to confirm your structure meets updated Ministry of Finance expectations Keep proper documentation ready for audits or tax residency evaluations 4. Mishandling VAT Registration, Invoicing, and Payments VAT compliance is still one of the most misunderstood areas for Dubai businesses, even years after its introduction in 2018. What's the issue? Many businesses delay registration, issue incorrect invoices, or file returns late—all of which attract penalties. Penalties and consequences AED 20,000 for late VAT registration AED 5,000 per incorrect tax invoice AED 10,000 for poor record-keeping (AED 50,000 for repeat offenses) Late payment penalties that grow monthly, up to 300% of the unpaid tax Fines of up to AED 1,000,000 for severe infractions How to stay compliant Register if your taxable revenue exceeds AED 375,000 annually Issue invoices with the correct format, including TRN and VAT breakdown Submit returns within 28 days after each tax period Use voluntary disclosure forms to correct errors over AED 10,000 Maintain records for five years and update your FTA profile when any changes occur 5. Mismanaging Employment and Visa Rules Employment laws differ across mainland and free zones, and failing to follow the right rules can lead to serious trouble. What's the issue? Using the wrong visa sponsorship, skipping standard contracts, or not meeting gratuity calculations can all count as violations. Penalties and consequences AED 20,000 for unauthorized hiring AED 100,000 to AED 1 million for visa violations Fines and lawsuits for incorrect gratuity payments or leave entitlements Criminal charges for fake Emiratisation hiring practices How to stay compliant Use the correct contracts—MoHRE for mainland, zone-specific for free zones Make sure the office size and visa quotas match your hiring plans Avoid deploying free zone visa holders on the mainland without approval Pay salaries on time, calculate benefits accurately, and never withhold passports 6. Neglecting Cybersecurity Obligations and Data Protection Laws In a digitized economy like Dubai, data security is not just a technical requirement, it's a legal necessity under the UAE's Information Assurance Regulation and Cybercrimes Law. What's the issue? Businesses often fail to implement basic security protocols or underestimate the risks of poor online behavior by staff. Penalties and consequences AED 150,000 to AED 3,000,000 in fines for unauthorized access, data tampering, or illegal online behavior Jail terms for serious violations, including slander, hacking, and false information dissemination Deportation risks for non-citizens violating cybersecurity laws Blacklisting and forced shutdown in severe cases How to stay compliant Adopt IA Regulation controls if your company falls under critical infrastructure or government-related sectors Secure your data systems and train employees on responsible online behavior Don't publish false news or use networks to insult, harass, or deceive Report incidents promptly and have a recovery plan in place Ensure marketing and communications are clear, accurate, and legally vetted Customer trust is earned, but it can be lost instantly if your business fails to meet the UAE's consumer protection laws. What's the issue? Misleading ads, poor-quality products, improper invoicing, or misuse of customer data are all considered violations. Penalties and consequences AED 10,000 for not issuing invoices in Arabic AED 50,000 for false advertising AED 100,000 for ignoring warranty and after-sales obligations Up to AED 2,000,000 for supplying unsafe goods Confiscation of products and business closure for repeat offenses How to stay compliant Ensure all goods meet quality and safety standards Issue detailed Arabic invoices and display correct prices Get customer consent before using their data for marketing Set up proper complaint handling systems Register promotional campaigns with the right authority (like DET) 8. Failing to Implement Strong Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Practices Money laundering laws in the UAE apply to more than just banks; they include real estate agents, gold dealers, accounting firms, and more. What's the issue? Skipping basic due diligence or failing to report suspicious activity can put your business on regulators' watchlists. Penalties and consequences AED 100,000 to AED 1 million for failing to report suspicious transactions Up to AED 5 million for poor record-keeping or not appointing a compliance officer License suspension, criminal charges, and asset seizure Personal accountability and fines for managers and owners How to stay compliant Register with goAML and report any suspicious activity immediately Conduct customer due diligence before and during relationships Provide regular AML training for staff and implement internal audits Follow sanctions lists and freeze suspicious accounts as required Encourage internal whistleblowing and act on red flags promptly 9. Ignoring Corporate Governance and Ethical Conduct Standards Strong governance builds business credibility. Weak internal control systems can leave you vulnerable to investigations, fines, or worse. What's the issue? Many companies in Dubai, especially financial entities in DIFC or regulated sectors, underestimate their obligations under local governance frameworks. Penalties and consequences USD 1.3 million in fines imposed on firms and individuals in 2024 for ethics and compliance failures Personal bans on directors or managers involved in misconduct DFSA or Central Bank scrutiny, leading to frequent audits and restrictions Reputational damage that could scare off investors and clients How to stay compliant Set up a proper board structure with independent oversight Create written codes of conduct covering conflicts of interest, bribery, and ethical behavior Implement strong internal audits and compliance monitoring Establish confidential reporting systems and whistleblower protection Deliver regular governance training to leadership and employees 10. Mishandling Import, Export, and Customs Procedures If your business deals with physical goods, even a minor customs mistake could hold up your entire supply chain. What's the issue? Wrong HS codes, under-declared values, expired re-export timelines, or incorrect documentation can all trigger inspections, fines, or shipment holds. Penalties and consequences AED 500 to AED 5,000 per incident for errors in declarations or importing restricted goods 10% of the CIF value fine for failing to re-export Free Zone goods on time Seizure of containers, delays in clearance, or revocation of trade privileges Legal exposure and reputational damage if repeated violations are recorded How to stay compliant Use Dubai Trade and Mirsal 2 for all declarations and updates Declare goods accurately using the correct HS codes and CIF values Maintain valid permits for restricted items and monitor re-export timelines Use the voluntary disclosure system for honest reporting of mistakes Stay informed of updates from Dubai Customs and other regulatory bodies In a fast-paced and highly regulated environment like Dubai, avoiding fines isn't your only goal. True compliance protects your company, builds trust with clients and authorities, and sets you apart as a reliable player in your industry. If you think of compliance as a checklist, you'll constantly be playing catch-up. But if you embed it into your strategy—structuring your licenses right, training your team, maintaining good governance, and staying updated with legal shifts—it becomes a competitive advantage. It shows that you're not just doing business in Dubai. You're doing it right. Also read: UAE Updates VAT Rules with New Exemptions and Simplified Procedures The UAE Cabinet has approved Decision No. 100 of 2024, amending certain provisions of the Executive Regulations of Federal Decree-Law No. 8 of 2017 on Value Added Tax (VAT), as announced by the Ministry of Finance. Corporate Tax for Enterprises in the UAE: Recent Changes to CT Rules We tell you everything you need to know about the UAE corporate tax and how it applies to enterprises in Dubai and the UAE. Export Opportunities: Using Dubai as a Global Trade Hub Dive into why Dubai stands out as a trade hub, which sectors hold the most promise and how local businesses can seize these opportunities to thrive on the world stage. Global Energy Investment to Reach $3.3 Trillion in 2025 as Clean Technologies Surge, says IEA Global energy investment is projected to hit a record US$3.3 trillion in 2025, with clean energy technologies attracting more than double the capital flowing into fossil fuels, according to a new report from the International Energy Agency (IEA).
Dubai Eye
9 hours ago
- Dubai Eye
Over 10,000 rest stations rolled out for UAE delivery workers
In a major move to protect delivery service workers from the summer heat, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation has announced the rollout of over 10,000 air-conditioned rest stations across the UAE. These stations will be available throughout the Midday Break period, running from June 15 to September 15. The initiative, launched in partnership with government bodies and private sector players, aims to support delivery riders who are constantly on the move and often lack fixed rest areas. Key partners include Dubai's RTA, Abu Dhabi's Integrated Transport Centre, Departments of Economic Development across all Emirates, Emarat, and major delivery platforms like Talabat, Deliveroo, Noon and Careem, along with restaurants, malls and cloud kitchens. This year's initiative builds on last summer's success, which saw 6,000 such stations in place. Workers will be able to locate the nearest rest station using interactive maps on delivery apps. The Midday Break, enforced from 12:30 to 3:00 pm, also requires employers to provide shaded areas, cold water, hydration supplies, and first aid at job sites. The public is encouraged to report any violations via the Ministry's call centre at 600-590000, or via its app and website. We announce that over 10,000 air-conditioned rest stations equipped with comfort amenities will be provided for use by delivery service workers across the UAE throughout the Midday Break period. The Midday Break is implemented in collaboration with relevant government entities… — وزارة الموارد البشرية والتوطين (@MOHRE_UAE) June 10, 2025
Dubai Eye
9 hours ago
- Dubai Eye
Six exchange houses fined AED 12.3 million for regulatory breaches
The Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) has imposed financial penalties totalling AED 12.3 million on six exchange houses across the country. The sanctions come after inspections revealed serious breaches of anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing regulations. The fines are in line with Federal Decree Law No. 20 of 2018 and reflect ongoing efforts to uphold the integrity of the UAE's financial system. The names of the entities involved have not been disclosed by the authority. CBUAE has emphasised that all exchange houses, their owners and staff must comply with national laws and regulatory standards to ensure transparency. The #CentralBankUAE imposed varying financial sanctions on six exchange houses in the UAE, amounting to AED12,300,000, pursuant to Article (14) of the Federal Decree Law No. (20) of 2018 on Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism and Illegal Organisations… — Central Bank of the UAE (@centralbankuae) June 10, 2025
