The Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) has come out swinging in 2025, announcing a rapid-fire series of penalties that already exceed AED 339 million—its heaviest anti-money-laundering (AML) campaign to date. While exchange houses took the brunt of the pain, the list of sanctioned entities now includes bank branches and insurers, signalling that any business touching the nation’s payment rails is squarely on the regulator’s radar.
Table of Contents
The 2025 Penalty Scorecard (so far)
- 10 June – Six exchange houses fined AED 12.3 m for “multiple AML/CTF breaches.” (centralbank.ae)
- 29 May – Single exchange house hit with AED 100 m penalty after an on-site inspection uncovered systemic control gaps. (centralbank.ae)
- 28 May – Two foreign-bank branches ordered to pay AED 18.1 m combined. (centralbank.ae)
- 20 May – Record AED 200 m sanction and personal manager ban imposed on another exchange house. (centralbank.ae)
- 02 June – Separate exchange house penalised AED 3.5 m for basic AML failures. (gulfnews.com)
- 25 March – Five banks and two insurers fined AED 2.621 m for CRS/FATCA reporting lapses—reminding firms that tax transparency still falls under the AML umbrella. (centralbank.ae)
Running total: ≈ AED 336 million (mainstream media round this up to “over AED 339 million”). (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
Why This Crackdown Matters Beyond the Finance Sector
- Vendor & client onboarding risks are migrating outward. If your company relies on exchange-house payments, informal remittance channels, or third-party payroll agents, you inherit their compliance footprint.
- Bank relationship pressure. Lenders are under increasing scrutiny to de-risk portfolios; corporate customers without bullet-proof AML governance may find credit lines re-priced—or quietly withdrawn.
- Individual accountability has arrived. The 20 May decision that banned an exchange-house manager shows the regulator will name—and fine—natural persons, not just entities.
- FATF “grey-list” exit strategy. The UAE must prove it can levy “effective, proportionate, and dissuasive” sanctions before the Financial Action Task Force reassesses its status. Heavy fines help tick that box, and the pressure will persist until the review cycle closes.
Three Immediate Action Points for Corporate Groups
| Priority | What to Do Now | Business Upside |
| Refresh counter-party due-diligence | Map all payment and collection channels—especially any cash or exchange-house touchpoints—and re-screen counterparties against sanctions and PEP lists. | Protects receivables flow and bank standing. |
| Plug transparency gaps | Ensure Ultimate Beneficial Owner (UBO) data is up-to-date for every entity you control or transact with; keep audit-ready evidence. | Faster account opening; reduced KYC escalation from banks. |
| Educate frontline staff | Run role-specific AML training (finance, sales, logistics) and document attendance. | Demonstrates a “culture of compliance” during any regulator or bank review. |
How to Help Yourself
- End-to-end AML health checks tailored to non-financial corporates.
- Vendor-risk frameworks that align with CBUAE Rulebook and Cabinet Decision 109/2023.
- Board-level awareness sessions on FATF expectations and personal-liability pitfalls.
- Emergency advisory if you receive a bank inquiry or regulator questionnaire.
Staying ahead of the enforcement curve is now a strategic necessity. Fortify your compliance posture before the next headline fine lands.
Ajay is an experienced accounting professional known for his precision and client-focused approach. He brings deep expertise in bookkeeping, financial reporting, and business advisory services, ensuring clients meet their financial goals.
Benoy Jacob is a journalist-turned-business consultant, currently serving as the Director of Client Relations at ATB Corporate in Abu Dhabi. With a keen eye for market trends and business strategy, he helps companies expand, build strategic partnerships, and optimize their operations in the UAE. Benoy brings a unique perspective on economic policies, trade ecosystems, and investment opportunities in Abu Dhabi and the wider MENA region.