UAE savers rise 37% as National Bonds funds cross Dh18 billion

Higher participation and returns signal stronger saving habits in UAE

Last updated: April 01, 2026 | 13:02

Nivetha Dayanand, Assistant Business Editor

1 MIN READ

UAE savers rise 37% as National Bonds funds cross Dh18 billion

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Dubai: Regular savers in the UAE rose by 37% in 2025 compared to the previous year, signalling a shift towards long-term financial planning among residents.

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The Sharia-compliant savings and investment company said bondholders’ funds crossed Dh18 billion, up 14% year on year, with returns of up to 4.45% distributed to customers.

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Growth across segments

Demand extended beyond individuals. Corporate liquidity and treasury solutions rose 28%, showing continued interest from businesses in stable cash management options.

Participation spans retail savers, high-net-worth individuals and corporates, indicating broader adoption of savings and investment products.

Khalifa Al Daboos, Chairman of National Bonds, said, “The UAE continues to set a global example of resilience, adaptability, and forward-looking vision.”

Customer base expands

More than one million customers have used National Bonds’ savings and investment products over time, with growth supported by repeat participation and new account openings.

Mohammed Qasim Al Ali, Group CEO, said, “Surpassing Dh18 billion in bondholders' funds is a clear reflection of consistent and sustained growth driven by strong customer confidence.”

Also Read: National Bonds launches capital-protected fund for UAE’s voluntary end-of-service scheme

Also Read: How UAE residents can now buy Islamic government bonds from Dh4,000

Digital savings activity rose 72%, reflecting increased use of online platforms to manage savings. Sales to female customers increased 11.33%, with their portfolio rising by nearly Dh290 million in 2025.

Market role

The company’s sukuk platform has facilitated over Dh237 billion in transactions since inception, supporting liquidity in the Islamic finance market.

Since launch, National Bonds has distributed more than Dh4 billion in returns and rewards and created 232 millionaires through its programmes.

Nivetha DayanandAssistant Business Editor

Nivetha Dayanand is Assistant Business Editor at Gulf News, where she spends her days unpacking money, markets, aviation, and the big shifts shaping life in the Gulf. Before returning to Gulf News, she launched Finance Middle East, complete with a podcast and video series. Her reporting has taken her from breaking spot news to long-form features and high-profile interviews. Nivetha has interviewed Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed Al Saud, Indian ministers Hardeep Singh Puri and N. Chandrababu Naidu, IMF’s Jihad Azour, and a long list of CEOs, regulators, and founders who are reshaping the region’s economy. An Erasmus Mundus journalism alum, Nivetha has shared classrooms and newsrooms with journalists from more than 40 countries, which probably explains her weakness for data, context, and a good follow-up question. When she is away from her keyboard (AFK), you are most likely to find her at the gym with an Eminem playlist, bingeing One Piece, or exploring games on her PS5.

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