Al Hilal Bank UAE: From Traditional Islamic Bank to Digital-First Shariah Banking Platform

In the UAE’s rapidly consolidating and digitising banking sector, Al Hilal Bank stands out as a case study in how Islamic banks are being structurally redefined. Founded in 2007 as a standalone Shariah-compliant institution, Al Hilal Bank today operates as a fully digital Islamic banking arm within the ADCB Group, aligning ethical finance with mobile-first delivery.

This transformation reflects broader trends in the UAE, including branch rationalization, platform banking, instant payments, and tighter integration among large financial groups. For residents, businesses, and researchers, understanding Al Hilal Bank requires looking beyond legacy descriptions and examining its current role, ownership, product scope, and regulatory positioning.

What Is Al Hilal Bank?

Al Hilal Bank (Arabic: مصرف الهلال) is a Shariah-compliant Islamic bank headquartered in Abu Dhabi, operating under UAE banking regulations and supervised by the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE).

• Founded: 2007
• Banking model: Islamic (Shariah-compliant)
• Ownership: Wholly owned subsidiary of Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB) Group since 2019
• Primary focus today: Digital retail banking and Islamic finance solutions
• Geographic coverage: UAE (digital-first, limited physical branches)

Unlike conventional banks, Al Hilal Bank does not charge or pay interest (riba). Instead, it structures products using Islamic finance principles such as Murabaha, Ijara, and Wakala, overseen by an internal Shariah Supervisory Board.

Recommended: Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank

Ownership and Group Structure: Al Hilal Bank and ADCB

Does ADCB own Al Hilal Bank?

Yes. Al Hilal Bank has been fully owned by ADCB Group since 2019.

• ADCB Group is one of the UAE’s largest banking groups by assets.
• Al Hilal operates as ADCB’s dedicated Islamic banking platform.
• Former international operations, such as branches in Kazakhstan, were integrated into ADCB’s Islamic branding.

This ownership structure allows Al Hilal Bank customers to:

• Use ADCB ATM infrastructure across the UAE
• Benefit from group-level financial strength and compliance systems
• Access Islamic products without maintaining a parallel branch-heavy network

Recommended: Commercial Bank of Dubai

Capital Strength, Regulation, and Credit Profile

Before full integration into ADCB Group, Al Hilal Bank reported:

• Issued capital: AED 4 billion
• Paid-up capital: AED 3.5 billion
• Credit ratings:
  • Fitch: A+
  • Moody’s: A2

Today, the bank operates under ADCB Group’s consolidated regulatory, capital adequacy, and risk management framework, aligned with:

• CBUAE banking regulations
• UAE Islamic finance governance standards
• International compliance norms (AML, KYC, sanctions screening)

The Digital Transformation of Al Hilal Bank

From Branch Banking to App-First Banking

Between 2023 and 2025, Al Hilal Bank completed a strategic shift away from physical branches.

Key changes include:

• Permanent closure of several retail branches (including Ras Al Khaimah and Khalifa A City)
• Repositioning as a digital-only Islamic bank
• Consolidation of physical access via ADCB infrastructure

Mobile-First Banking Experience

Most customer interactions now occur through the Al Hilal Digital App, which supports:

• Account opening using Emirates ID or UAE Pass
• Real-time balance tracking and transaction alerts
• Card management and digital wallet integration
• Financing applications without branch visits

This approach mirrors the UAE’s broader push toward paperless government services and digital identity verification.

Al Hilal Bank Products and Services (Topical Breakdown)

1. Personal Banking Accounts

Al Hilal Bank offers several Shariah-compliant account types, including:

• Current Accounts
• Savings Accounts
• Kids Accounts (designed to promote early financial literacy)

Some accounts may offer zero-balance options, depending on product type and eligibility criteria (see FAQ below).

2. Islamic Financing Solutions

All financing products comply with Islamic jurisprudence and avoid interest-based structures.

Key offerings include:

• Personal Finance (structured via Murabaha or similar contracts)
• Auto Finance
• Home Finance (Ijara-based property financing)

These products are commonly used by:

• Salaried UAE residents
• Self-employed professionals
• Families seeking Shariah-compliant alternatives to conventional loans

3. Cards and Digital Payments

Al Hilal Bank issues debit and credit cards with modern payment capabilities:

• Mastercard-supported cards
• Compatibility with:
  • Apple Pay
  • Google Pay
  • Samsung Pay

Instant Payments and Aani Integration

Al Hilal Bank is integrated with Aani, the UAE’s instant payment platform, enabling:

• Transfers using mobile numbers
• QR-code-based payments
• Real-time peer-to-peer transactions

This aligns the bank with the UAE’s national payments infrastructure strategy.

Customer Access and Support Channels

Despite reduced branch presence, Al Hilal Bank maintains multiple support channels:

• Customer care number: 600 522 229 (inside and outside UAE)
• Email support:
  • General: contactus@alhilalbank.ae
  • Complaints: complaints@alhilalbank.ae
• In-app live chat: Available within the Al Hilal Digital App

Physical cash services remain accessible through ADCB ATMs, typically without additional withdrawal fees.

How Al Hilal Bank Fits into the UAE Islamic Banking Landscape

Al Hilal Bank operates within a competitive Islamic banking ecosystem that includes:

• Emirates Islamic
• Dubai Islamic Bank
• ADCB Islamic
• Sharjah Islamic Bank

Its differentiator is digital-first Islamic banking, targeting:

• Tech-savvy residents
• Younger professionals
• Customers who prefer mobile onboarding over branch visits

This positioning supports the UAE’s broader objectives around:

• Financial inclusion
• Digital economy growth
• Ethical finance leadership

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is Al Hilal Bank a zero-balance account?

Some Al Hilal Bank accounts may offer zero minimum balance requirements, particularly digital current accounts. Terms vary by product and customer profile, so users should review the latest account conditions within the Al Hilal app or official disclosures.

Who owns Al Hilal Bank?

Al Hilal Bank is wholly owned by Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB) Group. The acquisition was completed in 2019.

Does ADCB own Al Hilal Bank?

Yes. Al Hilal Bank operates as ADCB Group’s Islamic banking subsidiary, focusing primarily on digital retail banking.

What is the minimum salary required for Al Hilal Bank?

Minimum salary requirements depend on the specific product:

• Basic accounts may have low or no salary thresholds
• Financing products typically require a minimum monthly income, aligned with UAE lending regulations and internal risk criteria

Exact figures can change and should be confirmed through official channels.

Does Al Hilal Bank still have branches in the UAE?

Al Hilal Bank has significantly reduced its physical branch network as part of its digital transformation. Most services are now provided through the mobile app, with cash access available via ADCB ATMs.

Is Al Hilal Bank suitable for non-Muslims?

Yes. Al Hilal Bank’s products are Shariah-compliant but open to all customers, regardless of religion, as long as they meet eligibility requirements.

Bottom line:

Al Hilal Bank is no longer just a traditional Islamic bank—it is a digitally reengineered Islamic banking platform embedded within one of the UAE’s largest financial groups. For users seeking ethical finance with modern digital convenience, it represents a key pillar of the UAE’s evolving banking ecosystem.