At the time of writing, three of Dubai's banks have released their annual results and each reported strong growth across the key metrics by which they are measured (profit, net income and assets). Buoyed by such positive news the industry can look forward to continued success into 2015.

The Central Bank of the UAE has helpfully assisted in getting a relatively current peek into the banking industry's future thinking by the release of its Credit Sentiment Survey. This is the first release of its kind by the Central Bank and the survey details UAE lending institutions' thoughts on credit sentiment based on responses from senior credit officers. Al Tamimi commends the Central Bank on this initiative as it will provide forward guidance against which eventual results can be measured that will create a deep pool of qualitative information over time. Moreover, it will help inform the lending industry and the public about what is an important area of the economy.