Central Bank Data Shows Growth in Assets, Credit and Deposits
Quick Take
The UAE banking sector continued to expand in July 2026, with growth recorded across several key indicators, according to the Central Bank of the UAE’s Monetary & Banking Developments – July 2026 summary report.
Gross banking assets increased to AED 5.67 trillion, while total bank deposits reached AED 3.51 trillion. Gross credit also rose to AED 2.80 trillion, supported by growth in both domestic and foreign credit.
At the same time, the UAE’s main measures of money supply continued to increase, pointing to sustained liquidity across the financial system.
For businesses, investors and families, the figures provide a useful picture of a banking sector that continues to deepen in scale while supporting financing, investment and broader economic activity.
Liquidity Continues to Build
The Central Bank reported that M1 money supply increased by 0.7% during July, reaching AED 1,047.4 billion at the end of the month.
This included AED 159.2 billion in currency circulating outside banks and AED 888.1 billion in monetary deposits, with monetary deposits increasing by 0.9% during the month.
The broader M2 money supply increased by 0.8% to AED 2,900.3 billion.
Corporate deposits and deposits from Government Related Entities (GREs) contributed to this growth, increasing by 0.9% and 3.7%, respectively.
For businesses, these liquidity indicators matter because they provide broader context around the level of funds circulating within the economy and financial system.
M3 Reaches AED 3.44 Trillion
The broadest measure of money supply, M3, increased by 0.4% during July to reach AED 3,440.8 billion.
Corporate and GRE deposits contributed equally to the monthly increase, while individual deposits also rose by 0.2% to AED 896.5 billion.
The continued expansion of M3 provides another indication of the depth of liquidity within the UAE financial system.
However, liquidity at a system level should not be confused with automatic access to financing at an individual or company level. Banks continue to assess borrowers according to their own credit, compliance and risk requirements.
Banking Assets Rise to AED 5.67 Trillion
Gross banking assets increased by 1.3% during July to reach AED 5,669.1 billion.
The continued growth of the sector’s asset base reflects the increasing scale of banking activity in the UAE.
For businesses and investors, a larger banking system can support a broad range of financial activity, including corporate lending, trade finance, treasury services, investment flows and liquidity management.
The more important question for individual businesses, however, is whether they are positioned to access that capacity.
Deposits Cross AED 3.5 Trillion
Total bank deposits increased by 1.1%, rising from AED 3,472.8 billion at the end of June to AED 3,509.8 billion at the end of July.
Growth came from both resident and non-resident deposits.
Resident deposits increased by 0.5% to AED 3,198.4 billion, while non-resident deposits rose by 6.8% to AED 311.4 billion.
Within resident deposits, private-sector deposits increased by 0.7% to AED 2,344.4 billion, while GRE deposits rose by 3.7% to AED 347.3 billion.
The figures show that deposit growth was not concentrated in a single segment, providing further support to overall banking-sector liquidity.
Credit Continues to Expand
Gross credit reached approximately AED 2.80 trillion in July, with growth supported by both domestic and foreign lending.
For businesses, expanding system-wide credit is an encouraging indicator, particularly for companies considering working capital facilities, trade finance or funding for expansion.
But a growing credit market does not necessarily mean easier borrowing for every company.
Banks still assess each application individually, looking closely at the strength of the underlying business, its financial position, ownership structure, repayment capacity and compliance profile.
What Does This Mean for Businesses?
The July figures point to a banking system with growing assets, deposits, liquidity and credit.
That creates a constructive backdrop for businesses seeking to finance growth.
But there is an important distinction between liquidity being available in the banking system and a particular business being bankable.
Companies seeking financing should therefore focus on the factors they can control.
This includes maintaining reliable financial records, keeping corporate and KYC documentation current, demonstrating clear cash flows, building a consistent banking history and being able to explain the commercial substance of their activities.
Preparation can make a significant difference when a financing requirement arises.
Banking Readiness Matters
A business may only approach its bank when it urgently needs financing.
Ideally, the preparation begins much earlier.
Banks may consider factors such as:
- financial performance and cash flow;
- existing debt and repayment capacity;
- shareholder and ownership structure;
- quality and consistency of financial records;
- transaction and banking history;
- sector and business-model risk; and
- the purpose and structure of the proposed financing.
For family-owned businesses in particular, banking readiness should form part of wider financial planning rather than being treated as a one-off exercise when capital is required.
The DFO Perspective
The continued expansion of the UAE banking sector is positive, but headline growth is only part of the story.
For businesses and families, the practical question is:
Are your structures, financial records and banking relationships ready when an opportunity arises?
At Dawia Family Office, we support clients in navigating banking requirements as part of their wider business and wealth-management needs.
Our support can include banking relationship coordination, financing readiness, credit-profile review, banking documentation, financial structuring, and business and family-office administration.
In a growing banking environment, access to opportunity often begins long before a financing application is submitted.
It begins with preparation.
Stay informed. Stay bank-ready. Stay strategically positioned.
Dawia Family Office