UAE banking sector international recognition

In September 2026, several United Arab Emirates-based financial institutions received significant international recognition for their performance and specialized services.

Emirates Islamic was honored at the Euromoney Islamic Finance Awards 2026, earning titles such as ‘Middle East’s Best Islamic Bank’ and ‘UAE’s Best Islamic Bank’. The institution also received recognition for the ‘World’s Best Sukuk Deal’ regarding its USD 500 million Sustainability-Linked Financing Sukuk. Additionally, United Arab Bank (UAB) was ranked 10th globally in the inaugural Forbes’ World’s Top Performing Banks 2026 list for banks with assets between USD 3 billion and USD 10 billion.

Following these developments, Emirates NBD and its investment arm, Emirates NBD Capital, secured 12 awards at the 2026 Euromoney Awards for Excellence and Euromoney Islamic Finance Awards. The group earned regional titles including ‘Middle East’s Best Retail Bank’, ‘Middle East’s Best for Customer Experience’, and ‘Middle East’s Best Bank for ESG’, alongside several national honors in the UAE. Emirates NBD Capital also received five awards, highlighting the group’s focus on digital transformation, AI-driven features, and sustainable finance.