UAE Central Bank outlines 2027 regulatory priorities, with focus on financial stability and cybersecurity

The Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) has outlined its regulatory priorities for 2027, emphasizing financial stability, cybersecurity, digital transformation, and stronger governance as part of efforts to enhance the resilience and efficiency of the country’s financial sector.

The priorities were discussed during the UAE Financial Sector Supervisory Roundtable, held under the theme “Fostering Financial Resilience and Prosperity,” bringing together CEOs from banks and insurance companies operating across the UAE.

The roundtable was opened by Khaled Mohamed Balama, Governor of the CBUAE, and attended by Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair, Chairman of the UAE Banks Federation, Ahmed Saeed Al Qamzi, Assistant Governor for Banking and Insurance Supervision, and senior central bank officials.

Balama emphasized that maintaining financial stability remains a central priority as the UAE continues to strengthen its position as a global financial hub.

“We are working to develop regulatory frameworks and apply risk-based supervision. Financial institutions’ resilience rests on their financial soundness and their ability to anticipate risks, respond to disruptions and recover swiftly, thereby protecting customers and strengthening trust in the financial system,” he said.

He also highlighted the importance of collaboration between regulators and financial institutions to address emerging risks and support long-term economic growth.

The roundtable featured three sessions examining the regulatory and operational challenges shaping the financial industry.

The first session focused on the CBUAE’s 2027–2029 strategy and its regulatory priorities for 2027. Discussions addressed strengthening corporate governance, improving suitability frameworks within financial institutions, and advancing supervisory practices.

Participants also reviewed developments related to the Financial Sector Assessment Programme (FSAP) and measures to strengthen the central bank’s own resilience.

Cybersecurity and operational resilience took centre stage during the second session, which explored the role of the Financial Sector Security Operations Centre (FSOC) in protecting the banking sector from emerging threats.

The session also examined fraud prevention measures, including developments related to the Anti-Fraud Operations Centre (CAFOC) and the central bank’s anti-fraud platform. Banking executives shared insights into their institutions’ approaches to managing operational risks and strengthening resilience.

The third session focused on supervisory reviews involving artificial intelligence and digital assets, reflecting the growing role of emerging technologies in financial services.

Discussions also covered developments in the UAE insurance market, particularly the impact of digitalisation, climate-related risks, and operational resilience on supervisory practices.

Banking and insurance executives explored ways to align their operations with the CBUAE’s regulatory expectations while adapting to an increasingly technology-driven financial landscape.

Concluding the roundtable, Al Qamzi emphasized the importance of continued coordination between regulators and financial institutions to strengthen efficiency, resilience, and compliance across the sector.