UBF CEOs Advisory Council Strengthens Commitment to Banking Sector Resilience

ABU DHABI – The CEOs Advisory Council of the UAE Banks Federation (UBF) convened its inaugural quarterly meeting, led by Abdulaziz Al Ghurair, Chairman of UBF. The gathering focused on assessing the performance of the banking and financial sector, alongside discussing various initiatives and strategic plans aimed at enhancing the sector’s development.

Comprehensive Financial Institution Resilience Package

During the meeting, the council acknowledged the Comprehensive Financial Institution Resilience Package, which received approval from the Board of the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates (CBUAE). This board is chaired by His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President and Deputy Prime Minister. The package underscores UBF’s dedication to collaborating with relevant stakeholders to bolster the resilience and capabilities of the banking sector, ensuring its stability and strength.

Al Ghurair emphasized the UAE’s position as a premier financial hub, attributing this to the visionary leadership and robust strategies in place. He noted that the Comprehensive Financial Institution Resilience Package exemplifies the CBUAE’s commitment to creating frameworks that ensure the banking sector’s stability, enabling it to contribute effectively to socio-economic development and the UAE’s strategic goals.

Achievements and Future Directions

Al Ghurair remarked on the significant achievements of the banking and financial sector, highlighting the solid foundations laid by the UAE. He reaffirmed UBF’s commitment to maintaining these accomplishments and delivering a secure banking experience for all customers. This commitment is supported by prudent policies in risk management, business continuity, and cybersecurity, enhancing overall stability and readiness.

The council also commended the banking sector’s robust performance in 2025, attributing this success to the close collaboration between UBF and CBUAE. This partnership has been instrumental in supporting the national economy’s growth by establishing frameworks that ensure financial stability and enhancing regulatory legislation across the financial, banking, and insurance sectors.

Strategic Initiatives for Development

The meeting addressed UBF’s strategic plans aimed at sustaining the banking sector’s leadership position. Emphasis was placed on ongoing initiatives that support Emiratisation, sustainability, governance, financial inclusion, and the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Additionally, the council discussed CBUAE’s initiative to launch Takamul, a company focused on artificial intelligence and big data analytics. This initiative is seen as a pivotal step in transforming financial services by utilizing AI to enhance resilience across the national financial ecosystem, as part of the Financial Infrastructure Transformation (FIT) program.

Technological Advancements and Infrastructure Support

Participants highlighted the significance of Takamul in developing AI-driven platforms and services. This initiative is expected to support various infrastructures, including the Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) framework, the Instant Payments Platform (Aani), the Domestic Card Scheme (Jaywan), the National Card Switch, the Real-Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) system, and Open Finance (Nebras).

The meeting also reviewed the latest developments and initiatives designed to keep pace with rapid changes in the global economy. Topics included digital transformation, infrastructure development, cybersecurity enhancements, and raising awareness about financial crimes and advanced fraud prevention methods. The council stressed the necessity of adhering to laws, regulations, and supervisory guidelines, while maintaining high standards of governance, transparency, and risk management.

Commitment to Continuous Growth

Jamal Saleh, Director-General of UBF, noted that the banking and financial sector is on a trajectory of growth and development, further solidifying its leading position. He attributed this progress to the effective strategies and policies implemented by CBUAE, which support growth and reinforce the UAE’s status as a global financial hub.

Saleh reiterated the federation’s commitment to ongoing development, emphasizing the importance of strengthening the resilience and adaptability of the banking sector. This commitment is crucial for keeping pace with global economic changes and achieving the UAE’s strategic objectives.

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Published on 2026-04-10 13:10:00 • By the Editorial Desk