Most UAE banks require a minimum monthly average balance (MAB) for business accounts. Falling below the minimum triggers monthly fees. Here is a comparison of UAE business bank minimum balance requirements in 2025.
UAE Business Bank Minimum Balance Comparison
| Bank | Minimum Balance (AED) | Below-Minimum Fee/Month | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emirates NBD Business | 50,000 | AED 250–500 | Standard business current account |
| ADCB Business | 25,000–50,000 | AED 200–400 | Depends on account tier |
| FAB Business | 25,000 | AED 250 | First Abu Dhabi Bank |
| Mashreq Business | 10,000–25,000 | AED 150–300 | NeoBiz account lower threshold |
| RAK Bank Business | 10,000 | AED 150 | SME-friendly option |
| WIO Bank | 0 | AED 0 | No minimum balance — digital bank |
| Mashreq Neo Business | 0 | AED 0 | Digital-first, no MAB |
How Minimum Balance Is Calculated
UAE banks calculate minimum balance as the average daily closing balance across the calendar month — not the balance on any single day. Example: if your account has AED 100,000 for 20 days and AED 0 for 10 days, your monthly average is (100,000×20 + 0×10) / 30 = AED 66,667. Keep the monthly average above the minimum, not just the end-of-month snapshot.
Strategy: Multi-Bank Approach
Use WIO Bank or Mashreq Neo (zero minimum balance) as a transactional account for day-to-day operations. Maintain an Emirates NBD or FAB account for institutional clients who require a “name brand” bank. This avoids the choice between paying minimum balance fees or keeping excessive cash idle in a big-bank account.