Reference
Glossary
A-Z of money, banking, tax, real-estate, and visa terms for English-speaking expats in the GCC. Short plain-English definitions plus the context that matters for Gulf-based readers.
35 terms
A
- AAOIFI · Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial InstitutionsBahrain-based international standards body that establishes and promotes Sharia-compliant accounting, auditing, governance, and financial standards for Islamic financial institutions worldwide.
- ADGM · Abu Dhabi Global MarketA financial free zone on Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi, operating under its own English-law-based legal system and regulated by the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA).
- ADX · Abu Dhabi Securities ExchangeThe ADX is Abu Dhabi's main regulated stock exchange, where UAE and international companies list equities, bonds, and funds for public trading.
- AML · Anti-Money LaunderingA framework of laws, regulations, and procedures that require financial institutions to detect, monitor, and report transactions suspected of concealing illegally obtained funds.
- Asset AllocationAsset allocation is the decision of how to divide a portfolio across asset classes - equities, bonds, cash, and alternatives - and is widely regarded as the primary driver of long-term investment returns.
B
- BIC · Bank Identifier CodeAn 8 or 11-character alphanumeric code that uniquely identifies a specific bank or financial institution within the SWIFT international messaging network.
- BTL · Buy-to-LetA property purchased primarily to generate rental income rather than to serve as the owner's main residence, making it an investment asset from day one.
C
- CBB · Central Bank of BahrainThe Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB) is a public corporate entity and the sole regulator of Bahrain's entire financial sector, covering banking, insurance, investment business, and capital markets.
- CBK · Central Bank of KuwaitThe Central Bank of Kuwait is Kuwait's primary monetary authority, responsible for supervising licensed banks, exchange companies, and payment systems operating in the country.
- CBO · Central Bank of OmanThe Central Bank of Oman (CBO) is Oman's principal monetary authority, responsible for licensing and supervising banks, exchange houses, and payment service providers operating in the Sultanate.
- CBUAE · Central Bank of the United Arab EmiratesThe Central Bank of the UAE is the federal authority that licenses, supervises, and regulates banks, payment service providers, and other financial institutions operating in the UAE.
- CFD · Contract for DifferenceA leveraged derivative contract that pays the difference between an asset's opening and closing price, giving exposure to price movements without owning the underlying asset.
- CRS · Common Reporting StandardAn OECD framework that requires financial institutions in participating countries to identify account holders' tax residency and automatically exchange that account information with the relevant tax authorities.
- CustodyCustody is the safekeeping and administration of securities or crypto-assets on behalf of an investor, typically by a licensed broker, bank, or specialist custodian.
D
- DCA · Dollar-Cost AveragingAn investment strategy where a fixed amount of money is invested at regular intervals, regardless of market price, to smooth out the effect of price volatility over time.
- DEWS · DIFC Employee Workplace SavingsA mandatory workplace savings scheme for employees working within the Dubai International Financial Centre, replacing the traditional end-of-service gratuity with an employer-contributed investment account.
- DFM · Dubai Financial MarketThe Dubai Financial Market (DFM) is the primary regulated stock exchange in Dubai, listed on itself and distinct from Nasdaq Dubai, which operates within the DIFC.
- DFSA · Dubai Financial Services AuthorityThe DFSA is the independent regulator of financial services firms and professionals operating within the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC).
- DIFC · Dubai International Financial CentreA financial free zone in Dubai with its own English-law-based legal system and independent regulator, the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA).
- DIFC Will · Dubai International Financial Centre WillA written, witnessed testamentary document registered with the DIFC Wills Service - a joint initiative of the DIFC Courts - available to non-Muslim individuals who reside in or hold assets in the UAE.
- DLD · Dubai Land DepartmentThe Dubai government authority responsible for registering all real property transactions, issuing title deeds, and overseeing the Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA).
- DSR · Debt-Service RatioThe share of a borrower's gross monthly income consumed by all debt repayments; the CBUAE applies DSR caps to retail loans in the UAE to limit overleveraging.
- DTAA · Double Tax Avoidance AgreementA bilateral treaty between two countries that allocates taxing rights over cross-border income, preventing the same income from being fully taxed in both jurisdictions.
E
- EIBOR · Emirates Interbank Offered RateThe daily benchmark interest rate, published by the UAE Central Bank (CBUAE), at which banks lend to each other in UAE Dirhams; variable-rate mortgages in the UAE reset against it.
- EID · Emirates IDThe mandatory government-issued identification card for all UAE citizens and residents, issued and managed by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP).
- EOS · End of ServiceA lump-sum payment made to an employee when their employment contract ends, calculated on the basis of the employee's final salary and length of service. Also commonly called gratuity.
- ETF · Exchange-Traded FundA pooled investment that holds a diversified basket of assets - such as stocks, bonds, or commodities - and trades on a stock exchange throughout the day like a single share.