Commercial Bank of Dubai Achieves Record Profit of AED 3.8 Billion and Surpasses AED 100 Billion in Net Loans

Commercial Bank of Dubai (CBD) reported outstanding financial results for the year ending December 31, 2025, achieving a pre-tax net profit of AED 3.844 billion, up 15.6% year-on-year, according to its integrated report. This marked the 22nd consecutive quarter of net profit growth, a record unmatched by any other UAE bank over the same period, highlighting the strength of CBD's operational strategy.

Total assets rose by 14.4% to AED 160.3 billion, while shareholders’ equity increased by 11.5% to AED 19.4 billion. Net loans and advances surpassed AED 100 billion for the first time, reaching AED 101.0 billion, up 8.6% annually. Customer deposits grew by 14.1% to AED 111.4 billion, with 49% in low-cost current and savings accounts. The loan-to-deposit ratio stood at 90.75%.

Operating income increased by 7.8% to AED 5.919 billion, driven by a 9.3% rise in net interest income and a 4.5% increase in non-funded income. Operating expenses rose by 10.8% to AED 1.554 billion due to investments in digital transformation, technology, business growth, and regulatory compliance. The bank maintained a best-in-sector cost-to-income ratio of 26.3%. Operating profit grew by 6.8% to AED 4.365 billion, and post-tax net profit reached AED 3.5 billion, up 15.5%. Pre-tax return on equity was 24.32%, and pre-tax return on assets was 2.56%.

CBD improved asset quality, reducing the non-performing loan ratio from 4.35% at end-2024 to 3.58% at end-2025, its lowest in decades. Net impairment charges totaled AED 521 million, with a coverage ratio of 102.92%, rising to 143.09% including collateral for stage 3 loans. Liquidity remained strong, with advances to stable resources at 83.14%, and robust capital adequacy ratios well above regulatory minimums.

Given the strong performance, the Board recommended a record cash dividend of 58.62 fils per share, up 15.5% year-on-year, reflecting commitment to shareholders and growth funding. Chairman H.E. Ahmad Abdulkarim Julfar highlighted the results as evidence of strategy execution amid a dynamic and challenging financial environment, while CEO Dr. Bernd van Linder noted the record performance despite global complexities, including three 25-basis-point US Fed rate cuts lowering the Fed funds rate to 3.50%-3.75% by year-end.

CBD continued its digital transformation, launching modern banking solutions, becoming the first UAE bank to broadly activate open finance per Central Bank directives, and the first in the region to integrate Kinexys Liink "Confirm" technology. The bank enhanced instant payments via Aani, improved transaction data via Lune, and deployed Microsoft 365 Copilot to boost productivity. CBD received several regional awards in 2025, including "Best in Lending," "Best in Transformation," and "Best Digital Bank for Trade Finance" in the UAE and Middle East, as well as recognition for landmark financing deals.

The report underscores CBD’s multi-dimensional exceptional performance, with double-digit growth in revenue and profitability, marked asset quality improvements, and strategic milestones such as surpassing AED 100 billion in loans. Strong capital ratios and sustained profit growth for 22 consecutive quarters highlight the resilience of its business model.