Arab News · 21 Sep, 00:57 · Business briefing

Pandemic and property prices weigh on UAE banks says S&P

Standard & Poor’s warns that UAE banks face mounting pressure from the lingering effects of the pandemic and volatile property prices.

What it means for you ↓ Courses for this story

26%average salary uplift after a professional certificate

2.7xfaster promotion for certified professionals

71%of leaders prefer candidates who upskill continuously

20days to your first credential

The briefing

The story
in brief.

What happened, who it affects, and why it landed on our intelligence desk — in plain English, sixty seconds or less.

Standard & Poor’s warns that UAE banks face mounting pressure from the lingering effects of the pandemic and volatile property prices. The rating agency highlights these dual challenges as significant risks to the sector’s stability. This assessment suggests that financial institutions in the region must navigate complex economic headwinds. For professionals, this signals a period of heightened scrutiny on asset quality and loan portfolios. The report underscores the need for robust risk assessment frameworks within banking operations. It serves as a critical indicator of the current financial climate in the Gulf region, affecting investment strategies and operational resilience across the sector.

Employer demand for Risk Management Strategies skills — indexed growth since 2019
Indicative index of skill mentions in professional job postings for the field this story moves (2019 = 1)

Your move

What this means
for your career.

Every headline redistributes opportunity. Here is who this one rewards — and how to be on the right side of it.

This development means you must prioritise risk mitigation and financial resilience. Professionals in banking, real estate, and finance should sharpen their skills in credit analysis and regulatory compliance. If you work in corporate strategy, focus on scenario planning to navigate economic uncertainty. Upskill in data analytics to better predict market trends and assess portfolio health. Smart professionals will review their current roles for exposure to property-linked assets and diversify their expertise accordingly. Consider obtaining certifications in risk management or financial modelling to remain competitive. Stay informed on central bank policies and adjust your career trajectory towards roles that value stability and analytical rigour during economic downturns.

For this story, the fields that convert it into pay are Risk Management Strategies, Financial Modeling, Compliance And Governance and AI in Banking — exactly the programmes matched below. The chart shows the indicative salary uplift certified professionals report in each of those fields; every one of them is a click away, from £79, finishing in as few as 20 days.

Indicative salary uplift in the fields matched to this story
Indicative ranges from published continuing-education salary studies, by field — each field is a recommended course below

Matched to this story

Enrol in these
to benefit.

These programmes position you for exactly this shift — online, self-paced, and finishing with a verifiable certificate you can share the day you pass.