The Central Bank is preparing an overhaul of its retail banking regulations by May as part of what is being billed as an annual review of consumer lending in the Emirates.
Credit cards, mortgages and personal loans are all under discussion for further regulation, after an attempt last year to curb excessive lending fees was heavily resisted by the banking sector.
"The plan is to review the effect of this regulation annually … based on feedback from the sector and from customers," said one source at the Central Bank familiar with the discussions, the conclusions of which could be revealed as soon as this week.
Banks are bracing for a cap on credit card interest rates. Some bankers speculate the limit could be 1.5 per cent per month.
Retail bankers have grumbled that increased regulation will be among the factors impeding their revenue growth this year.
Last May, the Central Bank implemented a raft of new measures intended to put an end to a free-for-all in consumer banking that left many consumers heavily indebted.
Credit cards and loans for vehicle purchases were also regulated.
Banks, dismayed by the speed of the reforms, successfully lobbied to delay the implementation of the new rules by one month, and managed to bring about the establishment of a number of Central Bank committees to discuss implementation of new lending rules.
Many aspects of consumer finance had come under discussion at the Central Bank, said Mohammed Zaqout, the head of Al Hilal Bank's personal lending group.
"We know, for example, that mortgage regulations are coming out soon — they've told us that," he said. "Personal lending interest rates are also being looked at."
An easing of regulations on structured products had previously been discussed as targets for Central Bank regulation.
One possibility under discussion is that the proposed cap on interest rates will take the form of a subsidy on lending for UAE nationals, said one banker with knowledge of the talks, asking not to be named.
The cap on interest rates could be potentially tied to a Dh10 billion (US$2.72bn) fund aimed at paying off the debts of UAE nationals, established on National Day last year, the banker added.
Banks have expressed a desire to prevent that fund from acting as an escape clause for individuals, allowing them to rack up further debts, said Tom Smith, the head of retail banking at United Arab Bank.
"For a bank, obviously it's a double-edged sword," he said. "A loan gets cleared, but you don't have the ability to have that customer as a future loan customer. It also creates moral hazard."
The proposed cap on interest rates is being viewed with concern by some banks, Mr Smith added.
Because the country lacks a functional federal credit bureau, banks have no ability to assess customers who have spent to the limit on multiple credit cards and to price their products with that information in mind, he added.
Creation of the credit bureau "would be the single best thing that could happen in this market", he said.
Personal lending grew by 2.6 per cent to Dh253.7bn between January and November last year, according to the latest available data from the Central Bank.
ghunter@thenational.ae
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Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Stormy seas
Weather warnings show that Storm Eunice is soon to make landfall. The videographer and I are scrambling to return to the other side of the Channel before it does. As we race to the port of Calais, I see miles of wire fencing topped with barbed wire all around it, a silent ‘Keep Out’ sign for those who, unlike us, aren’t lucky enough to have the right to move freely and safely across borders.
We set sail on a giant ferry whose length dwarfs the dinghies migrants use by nearly a 100 times. Despite the windy rain lashing at the portholes, we arrive safely in Dover; grateful but acutely aware of the miserable conditions the people we’ve left behind are in and of the privilege of choice.
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Madrid Open schedule
Men's semi-finals
Novak Djokovic (1) v Dominic Thiem (5) from 6pm
Stefanos Tsitsipas (8) v Rafael Nadal (2) from 11pm
Women's final
Simona Halep (3) v Kiki Bertens (7) from 8.30pm
MATCH INFO
What: 2006 World Cup quarter-final
When: July 1
Where: Gelsenkirchen Stadium, Gelsenkirchen, Germany
Result:
England 0 Portugal 0
(Portugal win 3-1 on penalties)
Results:
5pm: Conditions (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m | Winner: AF Tahoonah, Richard Mullen (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer)
5.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh90,000 1,400m | Winner: Ajwad, Gerald Avranche, Rashed Bouresly
6pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,600m | Winner: RB Lam Tara, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinel
6.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 1,600m | Winner: Duc De Faust, Szczepan Mazur, Younis Al Kalbani
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup (PA) Dh70,000 2,200m | Winner: Shareef KB, Fabrice Veron, Ernst Oertel
7.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh90,000 1,500m | Winner: Bainoona, Pat Cosgrave, Eric Lemartinel
Company%20profile
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Various Artists
Habibi Funk: An Eclectic Selection Of Music From The Arab World (Habibi Funk)
TV: World Cup Qualifier 2018 matches will be aired on on OSN Sports HD Cricket channel
Bert van Marwijk factfile
Born: May 19 1952
Place of birth: Deventer, Netherlands
Playing position: Midfielder
Teams managed:
1998-2000 Fortuna Sittard
2000-2004 Feyenoord
2004-2006 Borussia Dortmund
2007-2008 Feyenoord
2008-2012 Netherlands
2013-2014 Hamburg
2015-2017 Saudi Arabia
2018 Australia
Major honours (manager):
2001/02 Uefa Cup, Feyenoord
2007/08 KNVB Cup, Feyenoord
World Cup runner-up, Netherlands
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
Specs
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