Profile
Who We Are
UAE Banks Federation
Established in 1982, UAE Banks Federation (UBF) is a professional representative body of the member banks operating in the UAE. It advocates banks’ interests and enhances cooperation and coordination among them so as to upgrade the banking industry for the benefit of the banking sector and national economy.
UBF is managed by a nine-member Board of Directors elected every three years. The Board of Directors is responsible for planning, policy-making and supervision of UBF’s activity. The Board of Directors is chaired by H.E. Abdul Aziz Abdullah Al Ghurair, Chairman of Mashreq Bank.
The Advisory Council of Chief Executive Officers/General Managers, is consisted of the CEOs of the national banks in addition to the largest foreign and GCC Banks, oversees policy implementation, follows up on UBF’s activities and takes the necessary decisions to the banking sector.
The 25 technical committees and 3 advisory committees are specialized in all banking domains. They prepare studies on all topics related to the banking industry, which are then referred, by the General Secretariat, to the Council for approval.
Members of UBF has reached 54 banks and financial institutions by 2022.
UAE Banks Federation (UBF), a not for profit organization representing 54 member banks operating in the country, is the leading industry association for the UAE banking sector. Being the official representative body of the rapidly burgeoning banking industry in the UAE, UBF considers the provision of exceptional professional representation and a distinctive collective voice for UAE banks to be its foremost mandate.
Since its inception in 1982, UBF continues to advocate the interests of its member banks; providing a platform that facilitates the exchange of knowledge and experience. It also facilitates enhanced cooperation, communication and interaction with stakeholders in order to upgrade and develop the UAE banking industry. UBF addresses prevailing market challenges faced by member banks by innovating solutions that enhance governance standards and legal frameworks, and encourages the adoption of banking best practices. It also plays a fundamental role in raising public awareness about the distinctive financial, economic and social contributions of banks.
All 54 members lend their experience and expertise within the organization regarding pressing issues relevant to policy, management, finance and economy. Members are 20 national banks (commercial and islamic), 28 foreign, and 6 special status banks, regulated by the Central Bank of UAE. They are all expected to comply with the standards of ethics and conduct set forth by UBF. The federation enables its members to build competitive and sustainable businesses that support the economy, its customers and society.
With a mission to advance the UAE banking sector, UBF and its committees are focused on collaborative efforts between member banks, consumers and financial stakeholders. UBF has 25 diversified technical committees and 3 advisory committees comprising thought leaders and market experts who together offer extensive expertise on different banking subsectors. The technical committees contribute significantly to facilitating the exchange of banking expertise and knowledge, enabling members to collaborate while developing new banking policies and initiatives.
UAE Banks Federation (UBF), established in 1982, is the leading industry association for the UAE banking sector, with 54 member banks on board.
As the official representative body of the rapidly burgeoning banking industry in the UAE, UBF considers the provision of exceptional professional representation and a distinctive collective voice for UAE banks to be its foremost mandate. Its primary aim is to make the UAE banking sector grow in a sustainable way that benefits, protects and enhances the interests of banks, consumers, society and the economy of the UAE.
- Promote cooperation, communication and interaction among member banks on common issues.
- Represent and advocate the interests, needs and concerns of the banking community.
- Enhance visibility, promote the image of the banking industry, and raise public awareness to the beneficial role and distinctive financial, economic and social contribution of the banks.
- Empower and upgrade banking performance standards and the quality of human capital in the banking sector to be in line with the best international practices.
- Provide idea exchange platform, opinions and information among member banks.
- Offer representational leadership for member banks through the development of solutions that meet the changing needs of the marketplace
- Assist and enable member banks to build competitive and sustainable businesses which support customers, society and the economy.
- Professionalism
- Integrity
- Transparency
- Innovation and Creativity
Governance
UBF advocates in a sound governance model to ensure clear responsibility and accountability to drive transparency and build stakeholders’ trust in the activities of UBF to support and advance the banking sector and manage possible threats and opportunities. UBF’s governance model is distinguished by four tiers that address strategic vision, supervision and execution respectively.
