to the highest level in its history. (541) billion dirhams investments of UAE banks by the end of February

The investments of banks operating in the country exceeded AED 541 billion at the end of February, achieving the highest level in their history, according to the latest statistics of the Central Bank of the UAE.

Central Bank statistics, issued in the Banking Indicators Report today, showed an increase in the investments of banks operating in the country on an annual basis by 15.2% to reach AED 541.1 billion at the end of last February, an increase equivalent to AED 71.3 billion, compared to about AED 470.1 billion in February 2022.

According to the Central Bank, banks' investments increased month-on-month by 1% compared to 536.2 billion dirhams in January, an increase of 5.2 billion dirhams in one month.

According to Central Bank statistics, securities representing debts to others "debt securities" accounted for the largest share of banks' investments by about 46% with a total of AED 248.9 billion at the end of February.

The share of banks' investments in securities held to maturity amounted to about 42.5% of the total investments with AED 230.3 billion at the end of February, an increase on an annual basis by 93.53% compared to AED 119 billion in February 2022, and an increase on a monthly basis by about 4.7% compared to AED 220 billion in January 2023.

Banks' investments in equities reached AED 12 billion at the end of February, an increase on a monthly basis by about 1.7% compared to about AED 11.8 billion in January 2023, and a decrease on an annual basis by about 29.4% compared to AED 17 billion in February 2022.

According to CBE statistics, other investments of banks amounted to about AED 50.2 billion at the end of February, the same level recorded in the previous January, while they increased year-on-year by 14.6% compared to AED 43.8 billion in February 2022.
It is noteworthy that banks' investments do not include the bank's deposit with the Central Bank in the form of certificates of deposit and cash bills of exchange.