Dubai's banks posted a strong financial performance during the first four months of 2026, reflecting the solidity of their financial position and their ability to sustain growth despite global economic challenges and geopolitical tensions, as they continued to bolster their financial soundness and expand their banking and investment activities.
The total assets and investment portfolio of banks operating in the emirate rose to approximately AED 2.8 trillion at the end of April 2026, recording annual growth of 17% — equivalent to an increase of more than AED 400 billion compared with approximately AED 2.4 trillion in the same period of 2025.
According to Central Bank data, the assets of Dubai's banks alone grew strongly to exceed AED 2.43 trillion, an increase of approximately AED 350 billion from the AED 2.079 trillion recorded in April 2025, reflecting a continued expansion in banking activity within the emirate.
The banking investment sector also continued to register a notable performance, with total bank investments in Dubai rising to approximately AED 396 billion after adding more than AED 100 billion in a single year, compared with approximately AED 296 billion in April 2025, reflecting growing diversification in investment instruments.
These investments were distributed between held-to-maturity bonds, which accounted for the largest share at AED 224 billion, debt securities at approximately AED 104 billion, and equity investments and other assets exceeding AED 38 billion, enhancing the flexibility of investment portfolios and their ability to withstand market volatility.
On the deposits front, Dubai's banking sector continued to achieve strong growth, with the cumulative deposits balance reaching approximately AED 1.63 trillion at the end of April 2026, accounting for around 46% of total deposits in the UAE banking sector.
In a single year, the emirate's banks succeeded in attracting an additional AED 257 billion in deposits, capturing approximately 50% of all new deposits nationwide, reflecting the high level of confidence in Dubai's banking system.
By distribution, resident deposits accounted for the largest share at 47% of total deposits, with a value of approximately AED 1.5 trillion, confirming the depth and stability of the emirate's savings base.
On the credit side, Dubai's banks continued to expand their financing across various sectors, extending new financing of AED 234 billion between April 2025 and April 2026, bringing the total cumulative credit balance to AED 1.226 trillion.
The emirate's banks captured the largest share of financing directed at the private sector nationwide, with a balance exceeding AED 975 billion, representing approximately 45% of total private-sector financing across the country.
Dubai's banks also maintained their position as the largest financier of the retail segment, with the cumulative balance of retail financing reaching approximately AED 283 billion — a share of approximately 50% of total retail banking financing in the country — reinforcing their pivotal role in supporting economic and consumer activity.
This strong performance confirms that Dubai's banking sector continues to be one of the country's most prominent drivers of economic growth, underpinned by high flexibility in asset management, continuous expansion in lending, and growing confidence from both investors and depositors alike.