Every now and then, you might find yourself in need of an urgent cash loan due to a medical emergency, family concern, or other reasons. Fortunately, there are many options here in Dubai when it comes to applying for personal loans.
Indeed, there are many places where you can get a loan in Dubai, including pawn shops, lending companies, and of course… banks. In this article, we shall discuss some of the most popular banks that provide personal loans to UAE citizens as well as expats in Dubai.
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Banks that Offer Personal Loans in Dubai
The great thing about borrowing from banks is that they are legitimate, and therefore a “safe” place to get a loan. In particular, banks that are licensed by the Central Bank of the UAE are reputable institutions that you can trust when it comes to personal banking services.
Before we proceed with the list of banks that offer personal loans in Dubai, let us first talk about eligibility, documentary requirements, and steps involved.
Eligibility
To be eligible for a personal loan in Dubai, here’s a list of qualifications that most banks often look for:
- Age – Applicant must be at least 21 years old and not above 65 years old;
- Employment – Some banks require a minimum of six months service in a reputable company, though there are banks where this is not necessary;
- Income – Applicants should be earning at least AED 5,000 per month, although this amount may higher or lower, depending on the bank; and
- Salary Account – Some banks require an applicant to transfer his/her salary to an account in their bank, though there are banks where this isn’t necessary.
Requirements
As for documentary requirements, here are some of the things that you should typically include in your loan application:
- National ID Card (for UAE nationals);
- Valid Passport and Residency Visa (for expats);
- Salary Certificate or Appointment Letter (for employment verification);
- Salary Transfer Letter (for salaried applicants); and
- Latest three bank statements (for self-employed applicants).
How to Apply for a Personal Loan
Meanwhile, here are the general steps in applying for personal loans with banks:
- First, do your research! Make a list of the banks where you could apply for a loan (including the banks featured below). Take note of the different types of loans, interest rates, and terms that they offer.
- Once you have chosen a bank, submit your loan application. Usually, this involves completing an application form and submitting required documents. Some banks have an online facility where you can submit an application, although you can also opt to apply personally at the bank office.
- After submitting an application, the final step is to wait. If your personal loan is approved… Hurrah! If not, don’t worry because you can always apply again, or try applying for a loan with a different bank.
List of Banks for Personal Loans
And now, here’s a list of the leading banks in Dubai where you can apply for a personal loan. These include UAE banks as well as international banks, which have branches in Dubai and other parts of the country, and even outside the UAE.
1. Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank
Having a network of 48 branches situated across the country, Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB) is one of the UAE’s leading banks. Catering to both UAE nationals and expats, it offers an extensive range of banking services. In Dubai, there are several ADCB branches, including a branch in Karama, whose contact information are given below:
Address: Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Street Next to ADCB Metro Station, Al Karama Area, Al Karama, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Telephone: +971 600 502030
Email: customercare@adcb.com / contactus@adcb.com
Website: https://www.adcb.com/en/personal/
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2. Commercial Bank of Dubai
With headquarters in Deira, Dubai, the Commercial Bank of Dubai (CBD) happens to be the seventh largest bank in the country based on total assets, according to a list by Gulf Business. CBD was established in 1969 through an Amiri Decree issued by the late H.H. Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum. It offers a wide range of corporate, retail, business, and private banking services.
Address: CBD Main Branch, Ittihad Street Deira, Behind Deira City Centre, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Telephone: +971 600 575556
Website: https://www.cbd.ae/
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3. Doha Bank
Founded in 1979, Doha Bank originated from Qatar, where it is recognised as one of the biggest commercial banks in the country. It caters to individual clients, as well as corporate, commercial, and institutional clients. Outside of Qatar, Doha Bank has branches in the UAE, Kuwait, and India, plus representative offices in Europe, Africa, North America, Asia, and Australia. In the UAE, Doha Bank operates branches in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
Address: 21 Century Building, 2 Sheikh Zayed Rd, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Telephone: +971 4 321 4333
Email: Hellodoha@dohabank.ae
Website: http://ae.dohabank.com/
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4. Dubai Islamic Bank
With a workforce of over 8,000 employees and 500 branches operating in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa — Dubai Islamic Bank is the biggest Islamic bank in the UAE. Established in 1975, it is one of the most trusted banks in the country, and is also a public joint stock company listed in the Dubai financial market.
Address: Al Maktoom Road, Dubai, United Arab Emirates (Head Office)
Telephone: +971 4 609 2222 / +971 4 295 3000
Email: contactus@dib.ae
Website: https://www.dib.ae/
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5. Emirates NBD
This bank started out almost 60 years ago, when the late H.H. Sheikh Rashid Bain Saeed Al Maktoum signed the Charter of Incorporation of the National Bank of Dubai (NBD) on June 19, 1963. In 2007, with the blessings of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, NBD merged with Emirates Bank International (EBI) — thus forming “Emirates NBD” — the largest banking group in the region, based on total assets.
In 2013, Emirates NBD celebrated its 50th anniversary. Outside the UAE, the bank has operations in Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, India, Singapore, United Kingdom, Germany, Austria, and Russia, along with representative offices in China and Indonesia. Emirates NBD has a total of 874 branches and 4,144 ATMs / SDMs all over the world. Its head office is in Deira, with contact details and location map as follows:
Address: Baniyas Road, Deira, Opposite Dubai Creek Tower, Next to Dubai Chamber Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Telephone: +971 600 540000
Website: https://www.emiratesnbd.com/en
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6. First Abu Dhabi Bank
One of the largest banks in the country, First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) offers a wide range of products and services to individual as well as corporate clients. Notably, the bank has operations in not just one country or region… but across five continents!
Headquartered in Abu Dhabi, FAB has branches in multiple locations across the UAE. One of these branches is within the Mall of Emirates in Dubai, whose contact details are as follows:
Address: Mall of The Emirates, E11, Sheikh Zayed Rd, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Telephone: +971 600 566223
Website: https://www.bankfab.com/en-ae/personal
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7. Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation
With numerous branches located in 62 countries across the Middle East, Asia, Africa, North America, South America, and Europe — the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC) is among the world’s biggest banking organisations… there’s no doubt about that!
In the UAE, HSBC’s presence started in 1946, when the Imperial Bank of Iran provided its services to citizens and traders in the Emirates. Later, the bank was withdrawn from Iran and renamed as the British Bank of the Middle East (BBME). Eventually, in 1959, BBME was acquired by HSBC Limited. These days, the bank has multiple branches in the country, with a main office located at HSBC Tower in Downtown Dubai.
Address: HSBC Tower, Ground Floor, Emaar Square, Downtown Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Telephone: +971 600 554722
Website: https://www.hsbc.ae/
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8. Mashreq Bank
Established in Dubai in 1967, Mashreq Bank is among the oldest banks in the UAE. Today, it is one of the country’s leading financial institutions, with international offices located across the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia, and the United States.
Notably, Mashreq offers traditional as well as Islamic personal banking services, including deposits, loans, and investments. It has 16 overseas offices in 13 countries, and multiple branches across the UAE. Its global headquarters is situated in Dubai, with contact details and location map as follows:
Address: Umniyati Street (Off Al Asayel Street Burj Khalifa Community), Dubai, United Arab Emirates (Headquarters)
Telephone: +971 4 424 4444
Website: https://www.mashreqbank.com/en/uae/personal/
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9. United Arab Bank
The United Arab Bank (UAB) was established in 1975 by UAE investors and a French international financial conglomerate, Société Générale (SG). Its head office is in Sharjah, and there are six branches located across the country. Two of these branches are situated in Dubai — Al Quoz Branch, and Deira Branch, whose contact details are given below:
Address: Al Salamiyah Tower, Baniyas Rd, Deira, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Telephone: +971 800 474
Website: https://www.uab.ae/
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10. RAK Bank
Founded in 1976, the National Bank of Ras Al Khaimah (RAK Bank) is among the oldest banks in the country. It provides personal, business, and corporate banking services. These days, RAK Bank operates 21 branches across the UAE. In Dubai, it operates several branches, including the following branch in Deira:
Address: 33 4B Street, Deira, Riggat Al Buteen, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Telephone: +971 4 213 0000
Website: https://rakbank.ae/wps/portal/retail-banking
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Final Thoughts
When it comes to banking, including personal loans, you don’t have to worry because there are many banks to choose from in Dubai. Since they are licensed by the Central Bank of the UAE, you can rest assured that you are dealing with legitimate institutions.
Meanwhile, rather than applying for a loan, you could also consider boosting your personal savings instead. Here are some tips for earning more while working in Dubai, so that you can build your savings and make wise investments.
