Commercial Bank of Dubai Leads UAE by Fully Activating Open Finance for Customers

Dubai, UAE, 23 December 2025 – The Commercial Bank of Dubai (CBD) has made history by becoming the first bank in the UAE to fully activate Open Finance for its customers. This major step is part of the Central Bank of the UAE’s AlTareq Open Finance Initiative, which aims to modernize the country’s financial system, make banking more connected, and give customers greater control over their money.

Through this activation, CBD enables its retail current and savings account customers to securely share their financial data and make payments using safe, regulated frameworks. This is a significant change from pilot programs, as Open Finance is now fully operational nationwide. Customers can now enjoy more flexible, convenient, and digital-first banking services than ever before.

The activation was achieved in collaboration with Central Bank–licensed third-party providers (TPPs), including Pay10 and Lean Technologies. These companies are now fully connected with CBD under the Open Finance system. During the live-proving phase, CBD worked closely with these partners to meet all regulatory, technical, and operational requirements set by the Central Bank, ensuring that every process is secure and reliable.

Both CBD and its partners are now officially live on Nebras, the UAE’s Open Finance infrastructure operator, which manages the secure flow of data and transactions under Central Bank supervision. This ensures that all customer information is protected while enabling new services and innovations in banking.

Dr. Bernd van Linder, CEO of CBD, said:
"CBD’s full-scale Open Finance activation places the bank at the center of a major transformation in the UAE’s financial system. We are proud to give our customers more control, better transparency, and smoother digital banking experiences. This step reflects CBD’s long-term commitment to innovation and supporting the UAE’s growth by providing modern financial solutions for both nationals and residents."

Mr. Harry Gill, Founder and Chairman of Pay10, commented:
"This activation represents a real step in turning the UAE leadership’s vision for Open Finance into practical reality. It allows customers to safely access their financial data and perform transactions with confidence, while maintaining the highest standards of compliance and trust."

Tewfik Cassis, Chief Product Officer of Lean Technologies, added:
"CBD’s activation is a landmark for Open Finance in the UAE. It shows that the framework can now operate at full bank scale, supporting real customer adoption, increasing transaction volumes, and fostering long-term ecosystem growth."

Moving forward, CBD will continue to work closely with its Open Finance partners to:

• Expand the types of services available under Open Finance
• Encourage customers to use these new digital banking solutions
• Increase transaction activity and adoption across the UAE

This development positions CBD as a pioneer in the UAE banking sector, leading the way in digital innovation, customer empowerment, and safe financial connectivity. By fully activating Open Finance, CBD not only enhances convenience for its customers but also supports the broader goals of the UAE’s AlTareq Open Finance Initiative, creating a connected, innovative, and transparent financial ecosystem for the country.

CBD’s achievement sets a new standard for all banks in the UAE, demonstrating how collaboration with licensed technology partners, secure platforms, and regulatory oversight can deliver real benefits to customers, the banking sector, and the national economy.