The Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates (CBUAE) has significantly strengthened its financial position, with gold reserves increasing by 25.9% in the first five months of 2025. The value of the reserves rose to AED28.933 billion by the end of May, compared to AED22.981 billion at the end of December 2024, according to the Central Bank’s latest statistical bulletin.
On a monthly basis, the CBUAE reported a 0.49% rise in gold holdings, reaching AED28.791 billion in April before climbing further by May.
In addition to gold reserves, the Central Bank highlighted robust growth across deposits. Demand deposits grew to AED1.166 trillion by the end of May, up from AED1.109 trillion at the close of last year. Of this, AED 892.577 billion were in local currency and AED 274.329 billion in foreign currencies.
Savings deposits also posted strong growth, climbing to AED359.57 billion at the end of May from AED317.48 billion in December 2024. This included AED305.508 billion in dirhams and AED54.062 billion in foreign currencies.
For the first time, time deposits surpassed AED1 trillion, reflecting increasing investor confidence and liquidity in the financial system. These were distributed as AED614.854 billion in local currency and AED398.348 billion in foreign currencies.
The growth in reserves and deposits underscores the strength of the UAE’s banking sector and highlights the Central Bank’s role in maintaining financial stability amid evolving global economic conditions.
–Input WAM
