How UAE Inspires Saving and Financial Confidence

The UAE’s economic resilience, policy stability, and continued digital innovation have strengthened financial confidence among its residents, encouraging more people to focus on long-term financial planning in pursuit of greater stability and control over their future. This is a statement by Saqib Mahmood, Group Chief Commercial Officer at National Bonds, a Sharia-compliant savings and investment company that is wholly owned by the Investment Corporation of Dubai. But Mahmood’s words are backed by numbers as regular savers increased by 37% and digital savings grew by 72%. “Over the past two to three years, we have witnessed a genuine cultural shift in how UAE residents think about money,” he says. “Saving is no longer a background habit; it has become a statement of intention. A decision that says: I am building something, and I am not leaving it to chance.”

Data from National Bonds shows that the shift toward structured saving is being driven by three key groups: young professionals becoming financially aware earlier in their careers, families placing greater emphasis on long-term stability and resilience, and female customers, whose participation increased by more than 11% alongside significant growth in their investment portfolios.

“But the number that matters most to me is the one we cannot fully measure: the number of household financial conversations that are now being led by a woman who, five years ago, may not have been at that table,” Mahmood adds. “We are not simply observing a shift in savings behavior. We are witnessing a shift in financial confidence and decision-making, and it is one of the most important developments taking place in this market.”

National Bonds offers a range of solutions: flexible savings plans, fixed-term investments, and corporate treasury and liquidity solutions — all structured to deliver stable returns with a strong commitment to capital preservation. “Every product we offer is 100% Sharia-compliant, supervised by an independent Sharia Supervisory Board. For many of our Muslim customers — across more than 190 nationalities — this is not simply a feature; it provides peace of mind. It means they can plan for their future with confidence, without compromising their faith. At National Bonds, that is not an option reserved for a few. It is a commitment we make to every customer,” Mahmood explains. 

According to Mahmood, 2025 marked one of the strongest performances in National Bonds’ two-decade history. Bondholders’ funds surpassed AED18 billion, reflecting a 14% year-on-year increase, while the company exceeded one million customers, a milestone Mahmood says took 18 years to achieve. Returns reached up to 4.45%, regular savers increased by 37%, and corporate solutions recorded 28% growth. He also points to a 72% rise in digital savings, describing it as one of the clearest indicators of where the market is heading.

Mahmood says the results are driven by the company’s investment strategy, which is anchored in capital preservation, diversification, and disciplined risk management. “But I want to ground that in something more meaningful than strategy language, because the statement that matters most is this: in the twenty years since National Bonds was founded, not one customer has ever lost a single dirham of their savings. Not in 2008. Not during the pandemic. And not now. That is not a promise — it is a track record. And in 2026, that track record remains one of the most powerful assurances we can offer our customers,” he adds. 

National Bonds maintains a balanced portfolio that prioritizes stable, income-generating assets while selectively identifying quality growth opportunities. Liquidity management is also a core discipline, Mahmood adds, as it allows the company to remain agile and responsive without compromising the security of customer funds.

“As a Sharia-compliant institution, our investment approach is inherently conservative. Some may see that as a limitation. We see it as structural resilience,” he says. “The same principles that prevent us from pursuing speculative returns are the principles that have helped protect our customers through every major market disruption of the past two decades.”

Launching the National Bonds app has been significant, with regular savers increasing by 67% within three months, while fixed-term savings plans surged by 149% as customers committed to longer-term financial goals. During the same period, new customer onboarding rose by 31%, alongside a 40% increase in sales and a 31% growth in transactions.

The launch of the National Bonds app has delivered significant results, with regular savers increasing by 67% within three months, while fixed-term savings plans surged by 149% as customers committed to longer-term financial goals. During the same period, new customer onboarding rose by 31%, alongside a 40% increase in sales and a 31% growth in transactions. “The new National Bonds app has changed something more fundamental than functionality,” Mahmood says. “It has changed the relationship between customers and their savings, from something they checked occasionally to something they feel connected to every day.”

While the app allows customers to track their portfolios in real time, manage their plans, and access financial tools through a seamless and intuitive experience, Mahmood says the deeper transformation lies in changing customer behavior and encouraging more disciplined long-term saving habits.”When a customer opens the app and sees their balance growing, or sees progress toward a personal goal, they are not simply receiving information,” he explains. “They are being reminded of why they started saving in the first place. That consistent and personal connection has become one of the most powerful engagement and retention drivers we have ever built.”

Closing the conversation, Mahmood points to Community Development Authority partnership with National Bonds as one of the company’s most meaningful recent initiatives, describing it as a reflection of the UAE’s broader vision for social and financial stability. Aligned with the nation’s 2026 Year of Family agenda and the Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum Family Program, the collaboration aims to strengthen long-term family resilience, social cohesion, and quality of life through sustainable financial empowerment. “Through this partnership, we are delivering financial literacy programs, awareness campaigns, educational workshops, and tailored savings solutions designed to help families build sustainable financial habits and greater long-term resilience,” he says. “The early outcomes have been very encouraging, but for us, the real measure of success goes beyond statistics. 

“It is the family that, because of something we built together, approaches the future with greater confidence, stability, and peace of mind than they had before. That is the impact we are working towards.”