Emirates NBD Hits AED 5 Billion in Commission-Free Trades

Emirates NBD has achieved a landmark milestone in the UAE’s financial sector, with its zero-fee equities trading initiative crossing AED 5 billion in trades within just one year of launch. Rolled out in August 2024 on the bank’s award-winning digital wealth platform ENBD X, the initiative has recorded over 300,000 trades across the Dubai Financial Market (DFM), Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX), and Nasdaq Dubai. Customers now enjoy commission-free access to more than 150 UAE-listed equities, a move that has significantly boosted retail investor participation.

Making Investing More Accessible

The zero-fee model has lowered barriers to entry for both seasoned and first-time investors. By eliminating commission charges, Emirates NBD has positioned equity investing as a mainstream wealth-building tool, rather than a service limited to high-net-worth individuals. This aligns closely with the UAE’s long-term “We the UAE 2031” vision, which emphasizes financial inclusion and stronger domestic capital markets.

The ENBD X platform has been central to this success, offering an integrated digital experience where investors can access real-time trading, set price alerts, and onboard instantly. With features like fractional bond investments already available, the platform reflects the bank’s commitment to innovation and inclusivity in wealth management.

Why It Matters for the UAE Market

By attracting a larger pool of retail investors, Emirates NBD is not just driving trading volumes but also deepening liquidity in local stock exchanges. This helps strengthen the UAE’s capital markets, improves pricing efficiency, and ultimately contributes to positioning the country as a regional investment hub.

Moreover, the bank’s recent approval to become the UAE’s first General Clearing Member (GCM) for equity markets further cements its role as a key player in the financial ecosystem, enabling it to facilitate wider market access and infrastructure.

Outlook for Investors

For investors, the message is clear: the UAE’s equity markets are becoming more accessible, cost-efficient, and digitally advanced. Commission-free trading removes a major hurdle for retail participants, making it easier to start small, build experience, and grow wealth over time.

As Emirates NBD continues to innovate with tools like fractional bonds and digital-first solutions, investors can look forward to a broader menu of affordable investment products, catering to both short-term traders and long-term portfolio builders.

In the bigger picture, this initiative represents more than a bank’s success—it reflects the UAE’s ambition to foster a vibrant, inclusive, and competitive capital market that supports economic growth for decades to come.

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