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 The CEOs Consultative Council of the UAE Banks Federation (UBF), the unified representative body and voice of UAE banks, convened its second regular meeting of 2026. Chaired by H.E. Mohamed Omran Alshamsi, Vice Chairman of the UBF Board of Directors and Chairman of RAKBANK, the session examined ongoing market developments, global macroeconomic challenges, and their direct implications for the regional banking and financial sectors.

The Council underscored the fundamental strength and resilience of the UAE banking industry, attributing it to the forward-looking vision and proactive monetary policies of the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE). This robust regulatory foundation has empowered UAE banks to adeptly navigate global headwinds while continuing their invaluable contributions toward realizing the nation's strategic socioeconomic objectives.

During the meeting, the Council reviewed the sector's key achievements over the past nine months. Discussions centered on UBF’s projects and initiatives designed to keep pace with rapid industry shifts, ensuring a sophisticated, secure, and frictionless banking experience across all customer segments. These efforts are closely aligned with the CBUAE's strategic directives aimed at cementing the UAE's position as a premier global financial hub.

H.E. Mohamed Omran Alshamsi stated: 'Amid ongoing global economic challenges, the banking sector's ability to sustain its robust performance is a testament to the efficacy of the frameworks and initiatives supporting our economic and social development, under the direct supervision of the CBUAE. We reaffirm our commitment to adopting global best practices to advance the industry, placing Emiratization, human capital development, digital transformation, sustainability, and financial inclusion at the absolute top of our strategic priorities.'

The Council highlighted the sector's capacity to maintain formidable performance metrics, backed by strong capital adequacy ratios, solid provisioning, and robust reserves. Members noted that the consistent, organic growth of banking assets affirms the UAE's regional leadership and validates the policies driving financial sector development.

**Accelerating Emiratization (Tawteen) in Finance**
A major focal point of the meeting was the intensification of UBF's Emiratization efforts. The Council praised the exceptional milestones achieved by member banks in recent years—having exceeded their Emiratization targets by an impressive 160% in 2025—and called for sustained momentum. The aim is to unlock further career opportunities for UAE nationals and continuously invest in talent development programs to meet the evolving demands of the financial landscape.

Furthermore, the Council reiterated UBF's dedication to adapting to legislative, regulatory, and technological shifts. Emphasizing cybersecurity, the Council pledged to safeguard the sector's digital infrastructure to guarantee the delivery of top-tier banking services. The meeting also stressed the critical importance of driving financial inclusion and empowering Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)—the primary engines of economic growth—alongside providing innovative sustainable finance products to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Mr. Jamal Saleh, Director General of UBF, delivered a comprehensive overview of the banking sector's performance and the Federation's milestones during the first nine months of 2026, outlining actionable plans for the upcoming period to further propel the UAE's economic development.

'The Consultative and Advisory Councils of UBF member banks' CEOs serve as an optimal platform for coordination among key players in the financial ecosystem, facilitating the exchange of deep industry expertise,' Mr. Saleh remarked. 'These platforms are instrumental in driving our successful journey and elevating the UAE's standing as a leading global financial hub under the CBUAE's guidance. We remain fiercely dedicated to sustaining growth while maintaining flawless financial soundness indicators, the highest standards of corporate governance, transparency, and regulatory compliance, thereby delivering long-term value to our customers, shareholders, partners, and the broader community.'