Central Bank's Gold Reserves Surge by 41.7% in One Year

The Central Bank of the UAE saw a rise in its gold reserves by 812 million AED in April, reaching 40.816 billion AED, compared to 40.004 billion AED in March 2026. According to the central bank's monthly statistical bulletin, the bank's gold reserves increased by 41.7% year on year in April, equating to around 12.02 billion AED, bringing the total to 40.816 billion AED from 28.791 billion AED at the end of April 2025.

The gold reserves saw a 7.6% increase in the first four months of the current year, equating to 2.91 billion AED compared to December 2025's total of 37.9 billion AED.

In other developments, the assets of Abu Dhabi banks grew by 17.5% on an annual basis in April, reaching 2.692 trillion AED up from 2.29 trillion AED in April 2025, an increase of about 402 billion AED. However, the assets saw a slight decline of 1.2% during April, falling by 32.6 billion AED from the previous month's figure of 2.725 trillion AED.

The Central Bank of the UAE's banking indicators report, which is based on the main office location of the bank, notes that the total credit provided by Abu Dhabi banks reached about 1.26 trillion AED in April, up from 1.069 trillion AED in April 2025, marking a growth of around 190.7 billion AED or 17.8% year on year.

Credit from Abu Dhabi banks increased by 0.9% in April compared to March, equivalent to 11.7 billion AED, bringing the total to 1.26 trillion AED, up from 1.248 trillion AED at the end of March 2025. Moreover, total credit extended to the private sector rose by 7.9% year on year, equivalent to 49.6 million AED, reaching 676.8 billion AED, up from 627.2 billion AED in April 2025. Private sector credit increased by 0.7% during April, amounting to 4.9 million AED, as it stood at 671.9 billion AED in March 2026.

Data from the central bank indicated that the total investments of Abu Dhabi banks increased by about 68 billion AED or 16.6% year on year, totaling 476.9 billion AED in April, up from 408.9 billion AED in April 2025. Investments grew by 3.7% or about 17.2 billion AED over the previous month, reaching 476.9 billion AED in April compared to 459.7 billion AED at the end of March 2026.

The deposits of Abu Dhabi banks increased by 15% on a yearly basis in April, with an increment of 202.9 billion AED, surpassing 1.552 trillion AED, compared to 1.349 trillion AED in April 2025. However, the deposits witnessed a decline of 0.8% during April, equivalent to 13.6 billion AED, totaling 1.552 trillion AED, down from 1.565 trillion AED at the end of last March.