Gross banks’ assets increase by 1.4% to Dhs5,413.6b at end of January: CBUAE

Gross banks’ assets increased by 1.4% from Dhs 5,339.9 billion at the end of December 2025 to Dhs 5,413.6 billion at the end of January 2026, according to a report on the Monetary & Banking Developments - January 2026 issued by the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE).

The report showed that the gross credit increased by 1.1% from Dhs 2,570.3 billion at the end of December 2025 to Dhs 2,598.2 billion at the end of January 2026. Total credit growth was supported mostly by growth of domestic credit (by Dhs 27.9 billion), that is result of increase of credit to the private sector by 0.6% (contributed with 0.4 p.p. to overall growth of 1.1%) and credit to the government sector 2.5%. Growth of domestic credit was moderated by the decline in credit extended to OFC for 5.7%, that had negative contribution (for - 0.1 p.p.) to overall domestic credit growth.

Banks’ deposits increased by 0.9%, from Dhs 3,307.0 billion at the end of December 2025 to Dhs 3,336.8 billion at the end of January 2026. The increase in banks’ deposits was driven by the growth in resident deposits by 1.2% reaching Dhs 3,046.1 billion, while non-resident deposits declined by 2.4% reaching Dhs 290.7 billion, with a negative contribution (-0.2 p.p. from overall 0.9 % total growth).

Within the resident deposits: private sector deposits increased by 1.0% reaching 2,272.8 billion, GRE deposits increased by 3.5% reaching Dhs 306.7 billion. At the same time, government sector deposits also increased by 2.0% reaching Dhs 401.3 billion, while Other Financial Corporations (OFC) deposits decreased by 6.7% reaching Dhs 65.3 billion at the end of January 2026.

The report also showed an increase in money supply aggregate M1 by 0.9%, from Dhs 1,071.5 billion at the end of December 2025 to Dhs 1,081.3 billion at the end of January 2026. The increase was supported by an increase in currency in circulation outside banks by 2.7% and in monetary deposits by 0.6%.

The money supply aggregate M2 increased by 1.3%, from Dhs 2,754.7 billion at the end of December 2025 to Dhs 2,789.8 billion at the end of January 2026, due to Dhs 25.3 billion growth in Quasi-Monetary Deposits. The corporate sector deposits and individuals’ deposits contributed the same (by 0.5 p.p. each) to overall growth of M2, having monthly increased by 0.9% and 1.5%, respectively.

Government-Related Entities (GREs) deposits increased by 3.6% contributed to the growth by 0.4 p.p. primarily driven by the growth of their Dhs demand and savings deposits. All sectors, except Other Financial Corporations (OFC), contributed positively to M2 growth. The monthly decline in OFC sector deposits by 7.1% (mostly foreign currency saving deposits) moderated the growth of the overall aggregate.

Money supply aggregate M3 increased by 1.4%, from Dhs 3,255.4 billion at the end of December 2025 to Dhs 3,301.5 billion at the end of January 2026. Government sector deposits recorded monthly increase by 2.2%, reaching Dhs 511.7 billion, contributing by 0.3 p.p, to growth of M3.

The monetary base increased by 0.6%, from Dhs 895.7 billion at the end of December 2025 to Dhs 900.8 billion at the end of January 2026. The increase was driven by the growth in: Reserve Requirements by 32.4% and currency issued by 1.7%. Banks & OFCs Current Accounts & Overnight Deposits of Banks recorded decline by 55.9% and moderated the growth of overall aggregate.

CBUAE’s foreign assets crossed Dhs 1.084 trillion at end of January 2026 .The foreign assets of the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) exceeded Dhs 1.084 trillion at the end of January 2026, compared to Dhs 1.058 trillion at the end of December 2025, according to official data released today.

The Central Bank's foreign assets as of the end of January were distributed as follows: Dhs 285.5 billion in current account balances and deposits with banks abroad, Dhs 740.9 billion in foreign investments, and Dhs 58 billion in other foreign assets.

The Central Bank's balance sheet exceeded Dhs 1.119 trillion, distributed as follows: Dhs 533.4 billion in current and deposit accounts, Dhs 306 billion in monetary bills and Islamic certificates of deposit, Dhs 177.4 billion in currency notes and coins issued, and Dhs 24.9 billion in other liabilities. Capital and reserves amounted to Dhs 77.6 billion.

As for the Central Bank's assets, they were distributed as follows: Dhs 224.2 billion in cash and bank balances, Dhs 76.2 billion in deposits, Dhs 767.6 billion in investments, and Dhs 51.3 billion in other assets.

Meanwhile, Dubai Chambers has explored ways to strengthen economic relations between the business communities in Dubai and the Czech Republic during a meeting with a delegation led by Petr Michal, President of the Prague Chamber of Commerce.

Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to expanding cooperation in investment, trade, and the digital economy to deepen partnerships between companies in the two markets.

The meeting took place on Monday at Dubai Chambers’ headquarters and was attended by Mohammad Ali Rashed Lootah, President and CEO of Dubai Chambers.

Participants discussed opportunities to enhance bilateral trade, explore shared investment prospects, and broaden cooperation in ways that strengthen trade and investment ties between companies in Dubai and their counterparts in the Czech Republic, particularly on advancing collaboration in the digital economy.