UAE Central Bank orders halt to minimum balance hike

Dubai: In a major new development, the Central Bank of the UAE on Tuesday instructed all banks operating in the country to suspend planned increases to the minimum balance requirement for personal accounts, pending a formal review of the policy's impact on consumers.

In a circular obtained by Emarat Al Youm, the Central Bank explicitly addressed recent reports indicating that several major banks were preparing to raise the minimum required balance from Dh3,000 to Dh5,000, starting June 1. The move, which would have subjected non-compliant customers to monthly fees of up to Dh105, had already been implemented by at least one leading institution.

“With reference to what has been circulated in the media and social platforms about some banks’ intention to raise the minimum balance to Dh5,000, the Central Bank has decided to study the impact of this increase on customers,” the circular read. “Accordingly, banks are instructed to suspend the increase and refrain from applying it until further notice.”

Multiple media reports

The decision follows Emarat Al Youm's earlier report that several major banks had planned to implement the new Dh5,000 threshold starting June 1, in line with updates to Central Bank regulations. One leading bank had already enacted the change, with others expected to follow suit in the coming weeks.

The announcement of the potential increase triggered widespread public criticism, with account holders voicing concern over the financial burden on lower-income residents and small businesses. 

Under the now-paused policy, customers who failed to maintain a Dh5,000 balance in their current accounts would have been charged a monthly fee of Dh25, unless they met certain exemption criteria. These included transferring a salary of at least Dh15,000 per month, maintaining an aggregate account balance of Dh20,000 or more, or having an active credit card, overdraft, or loan with the bank.

Customers with monthly salaries below Dh5,000 and no qualifying banking products would have been automatically charged the fee, with some banks reportedly planning to increase the penalty to Dh 100 or more, depending on the account type.

- Huda Ata is an independent writer based in the UAE.