Short answer
Saudi Arabia tightens oversight on UAE-bound transfers as CBD pioneers open-finance payments.
Key facts
- SAMA tightened: Saudi Arabia has imposed additional regulatory measures on financial transfers destined for the UAE, according to Reuters, citing three informed sources.
- CBD launched: CBD secured Third-Party Provider status from the CBUAE under the Open Finance Initiative, letting it initiate payments across other UAE banks on customers' behalf.
- CBUAE reported: The Central Bank of the UAE's Financial Stability Report 2025 confirmed the banking system grew to $1.4 trillion in assets, affirming sector resilience.
The big picture
Saudi Arabia tightens oversight on UAE-bound transfers as CBD pioneers open-finance payments.
Why it matters
If you send money between Saudi Arabia and the UAE—or bank with CBD—new compliance checks and a landmark open-finance milestone directly affect how your transfers clear and which apps can move your cash.
The details
Reuters
SAMA tightened: Saudi Arabia adds anti-crime scrutiny to UAE-bound bank transfers. Saudi Arabia has imposed additional regulatory measures on financial transfers destined for the UAE, according to Reuters, citing three informed sources.
Read at Reuters ->
FF News
CBD launched: Commercial Bank of Dubai becomes first UAE bank to offer multi-bank payment initiation. CBD secured Third-Party Provider status from the CBUAE under the Open Finance Initiative, letting it initiate payments across other UAE banks on customers' behalf.
Read at FF News ->
Zawya
CBUAE reported: UAE banking system total assets rose 17.1% to $1.4 trillion in 2025. The Central Bank of the UAE's Financial Stability Report 2025 confirmed the banking system grew to $1.4 trillion in assets, affirming sector resilience.
Read at Zawya ->
What to watch
Watch for CBUAE guidance on which institutions will next receive Third-Party Provider status as the Open Finance rollout continues.
The Gulf Money digest surfaces reported news from third-party publications. We do not republish the stories themselves - every headline above links to the original source so you can read the publisher's own coverage.