Central Bank's Gold Reserves Reach 40 Billion Dirhams by March 2026

The Central Bank of the UAE recently published data showing a significant rise in its gold reserves. As of the end of March, the bank's gold reserves increased by 45.86% compared to the same time last year, reaching approximately 40 billion dirhams. This rise is equivalent to around 12.58 billion dirhams.

For context, at the end of March 2025, the reserves were valued at 27.42 billion dirhams. The gold reserves also saw a 5.5% increase in the first quarter of this year, equating to an additional 2.1 billion dirhams. Notably, by the close of December 2025, gold reserves were valued at 37.9 billion dirhams.

In parallel, the monthly statistics showed a remarkable growth in the assets of Abu Dhabi's banks. As of March, their assets grew by 20.7% year-on-year, totaling 2.725 trillion dirhams. This marks an increase of 468 billion dirhams from the 2.257 trillion dirhams reported at the end of March 2025.

During the first quarter of 2026, Abu Dhabi banks also experienced a 5.9% growth in assets. Specifically, this growth translated to 93 billion dirhams, from the earlier figure of 2.572 trillion dirhams at the close of 2025.

Extending further details, the Central Bank's report on banking indicators highlighted the total credit given by Abu Dhabi banks. By March, this credit reached 1.248 trillion dirhams—a 18.5% increase from last year's March figure of 1.053 trillion dirhams. This growth is tantamount to 194.5 billion dirhams.

A careful examination of the credit patterns indicates a 4.2% growth in the initial quarter of 2026, equivalent to 49.9 billion dirhams. This saw credit levels move from 1.198 trillion dirhams at December 2025, to the current 1.248 trillion dirhams. Intriguingly, credit extended to the private sector rose notably.

In March, private sector credit saw an 8.4% boost, hitting 671.9 billion dirhams, up from 619.8 billion dirhams in March 2025. This growth extended into the first quarter, increasing by 2.5% to 655.4 billion dirhams as of December 2025—an increment of approximately 16.5 million dirhams.

On the investment front, Central Bank data reflects Abu Dhabi banks' investments surged by about 60.9 billion dirhams, or 15.3% year-on-year. By March, investments were valued at 459.7 billion dirhams, up from 398.8 billion dirhams in March 2025.

First quarter reports of 2026 showed these investments rose by 6.2%, or 26.9 billion dirhams, bringing the total to 459.7 billion dirhams, compared with 432.8 billion dirhams reported by the end of December 2025.

Similarly, deposits at Abu Dhabi banks noted a 17.8% growth year-on-year as of March. This increase equates to 236.1 billion dirhams, with deposits approximating 1.565 trillion dirhams, compared to 1.329 trillion dirhams from March 2025.

As observed, their deposits also grew by 6.1% since the end of last year, representing an increment of 90.3 billion dirhams. As of March end, total deposits stood at 1.565 trillion dirhams, surpassing the 1.475 trillion dirhams benchmark reached by the close of December 2025.