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Trust and confidence in UAE banks reach pre-2008 financial crisis levels: Report
UAE banks have strengthened capital buffers since the 2008-09 financial crisis, alongside robust liquidity. Core banking liquidity stood at 23 per cent of total assets in June 2025
- PUBLISHED: Mon 23 Feb 2026, 4:36 PM
Nearly two decades after the 2008 global financial crisis, confidence and trust in UAE banks are back and stronger than before.
According to a survey released by Gallup on Monday, the trust level reached 90 per cent in 2025 – the highest level globally – up from 77 per cent in 2006-07.
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In 2025, across 25 countries most affected by the crisis, a median of 63 per cent expressed confidence in their financial institutions and banks, marking a new high.
The UAE was placed among the world’s top eight countries along with the Czech Republic, Japan, Argentina, Croatia, Germany, Italy and Mexico that recorded higher levels of trust in banks by at least five percentage points in 2025 than they did at their pre-crash peaks in 2006 or 2007.
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In February, global ratings agency Moody’s upgraded its UAE banking system outlook from positive to stable, reflecting a resilient non-oil economy anchored around economic diversification and structural reforms providing strong growth opportunities, which UAE banks are well-positioned to capture given their ample liquidity.
UAE banks have strengthened capital buffers since the 2008-09 financial crisis, alongside robust liquidity. Core banking liquidity stood at 23 per cent of total assets in June 2025. The non-performing loan ratio halved in recent years to a record low of 2.9 per cent as of June 2025, supported by recoveries, write-offs and improved risk management. Provisions remain well above 100 per cent coverage, offering an additional safeguard against a potential softening in the real estate market.
The Gallup results are based on face-to-face and telephone surveys of approximately 1,000 respondents in each country or territory from March 27 to December 5.
The global analytics and advisory company said that after the 2008-09 financial crisis, several countries introduced reforms and more regulations to their financial systems, including higher capital requirements and enhanced supervision. Among many that suffered most – such as Ireland, Greece and Portugal – these reforms often came with European Union financial conditions and requirements.
“However, across these 25 countries, the recovery in people’s trust could stem from broader economic positivity rather than regulatory reform alone. The rise in confidence in banks has closely matched improvements in how comfortable people feel living on their household income,” it said.
