UAE bank investments rise to $202bn in January 2025
UAE banks reported a 1 per cent month-on-month increase in total investments, rising by AED7.3 billion to reach AED742.9 billion by the end of January.
This represents a 16.1 per cent growth compared to January 2024, according to the Central Bank of the UAE 's latest banking indicators.
Investments in securities representing debt on others grew to AED332.3 billion, marking a 26.1 per cent annual increase, according to a statement by the Emirates News Agency (WAM).
UAE banking sector growth
Held-to-maturity bonds reached AED335.7 billion, showing a 7.9 per cent year-on-year growth despite a 1.1 per cent month-on-month decline.
Banks' equity investments settled at AED19.1 billion, reflecting a 19.4 per cent annual growth despite decreasing by 1.5 per cent from the previous month.
Other investments totalled AED55.8 billion, up 13.2 per cent year-on-year and 2.2 per cent month-on-month.
The Central Bank data also revealed that total credit reached AED2.186 trillion, growing by 9.5 per cent annually, while total deposits exceeded AED2.84 trillion after an 11.8 per cent annual increase.
Banking assets surpassed AED4.562 trillion by the end of January, showing an 11 per cent year-on-year growth and a marginal 0.1 per cent increase from December.
The UAE Funds Transfer System (UAEFTS) processed transfers exceeding AED1.786 trillion in January, growing by more than 18 per cent.
This included AED1.109 trillion in interbank transfers and approximately AED677.64 billion in customer transfers.
Image-based cheque processing cleared AED118.48 billion across 1.956 million cheques during the month.
Cash withdrawals from the Central Bank amounted to AED19.929 billion, while deposits totalled AED15.217 billion.
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