UAE banks’ investments exceed 548 billion dirhams, highest in history: Central Bank report

ABU DHABI, 9th June, WAM/ The investments of banks operating in the country exceeded 548 billion dirhams at the end of last March, achieving the highest level in its history, according to the latest statistics of the UAE Central Bank.

Central Bank statistics, issued in the banking indicators report, showed an increase in the investments of banks operating in the country on an annual basis, by 16%, to reach 548.5 billion dirhams at the end of last March, an increase equivalent to 75.8 billion dirhams, compared to about 472.7 billion dirhams in March 2022.

According to the Central Bank, bank investments increased on a monthly basis by 1.3%, compared to 541.4 billion dirhams last February, an increase equivalent to 7.1 billion dirhams in one month.

According to Central Bank statistics, securities that represent debts to others, “debt bonds”, accounted for the largest share of bank investments by about 45.6%, reaching 250.1 billion dirhams at the end of last March, an increase on a monthly basis by 0.5% compared to 248.9 billion dirhams in February. the past.

The share of banks’ investments in securities held to maturity amounted to about 43% of total investments, reaching 236.3 billion dirhams at the end of last March, an increase on an annual basis of 74.1% compared to 135.7 billion dirhams in March 2022, and an increase on a monthly basis by about 2.6%. compared to 230.3 billion dirhams in February 2023.

Banks’ investments in stocks reached 11.9 billion dirhams at the end of last March, an increase of 0.8% since the beginning of this year compared to 11.8 billion dirhams in December 2022, a decrease on a monthly basis of 0.8% and on an annual basis of about 29.6%.

According to the Central Bank’s statistics, other investments of banks amounted to about 50.2 billion dirhams at the end of last March, which is the same level recorded in February and January, while it increased on an annual basis by 11.8%, compared to 44.9 billion dirhams in March 2022.

It is noteworthy that the bank’s investments do not include the bank’s deposit with the Central Bank in the form of certificates of deposit and cash drafts.