The Central Bank of the UAE says more than 155,970 bank customers across the country have benefited from loan repayment deferrals worth Dh15.9 billion ($4.33 billion) through the end of August 2026, under a relief programme running since March under its Financial Institutions Resilience Package.
Of that total, 148,681 retail customers received deferrals worth Dh2.3 billion ($626 million). Separately, 849 private sector companies secured Dh10.7 billion ($2.91 billion) in support, while 6,441 small and medium-sized enterprises obtained deferrals worth Dh2.9 billion ($790 million).
The package also waives certain fees and commissions tied to the affected loans, a measure officials describe as aimed at easing financial pressure on households and smaller businesses during a period of regional economic uncertainty.
CBUAE Governor Khaled Mohamed Balama urged lenders to accelerate their digital transformation, strengthen consumer protection and widen financial inclusion, framing the relief measures as part of a broader push to keep the UAE's banking sector resilient under current conditions.
Separate central bank data shows bank lending in the UAE rose by Dh72.4 billion in August alone, reaching Dh2,871.4 billion - a 2.6 per cent increase in a single month. Banking assets grew 12.9 per cent year-on-year by the end of August, with lending up 18.8 per cent and deposits rising 13 per cent over the same period.
Taken together, officials say the figures indicate that despite regional headwinds, the UAE's banking sector continues to grow steadily while maintaining the capacity to support both retail customers and businesses through targeted relief measures.