🏦 BanksWhat is a credit report and AECB score in the UAE?
When you apply for a personal loan, a credit card, car finance, or a mortgage in the UAE, the lender pulls your report from Al Etihad Credit Bureau (AECB), the federal credit bureau. AECB turns your borrowing and payment history into a credit score from 300 to 900 — the higher the better — and produces a detailed report. Because a bounced cheque is a serious matter in the UAE, and because leaving debt behind when you exit the country can lead to a travel ban, keeping a clean AECB record matters more here than in many places.
What the AECB report and score show
Your report lists every loan, credit card and 'buy now, pay later' facility, the limits and balances, and up to two years of payment behaviour on each. It also shows recent applications, returned cheques and direct debits, telecom account status, and any settled or written-off accounts. Utilities and rent are increasingly included.
The 300–900 score predicts the chance you miss a payment in the next year. Above roughly 680 is comfortable for most lending; below about 620, banks hesitate. Paying every instalment and card bill on time, keeping card balances well below the limit, and not applying for lots of credit at once are what hold the score up.
Defaults, bounced cheques and how long they stay
A missed payment shows on that account's history. A returned cheque is recorded and is treated seriously — it can also be a legal matter. Negative information generally stays on the AECB report for around five years, even after you settle it, though a settled account is viewed better than an open default.
If you are struggling, talk to the bank before you miss a payment about restructuring or a payment holiday. Never leave the country with unpaid debt — banks can file a case that results in a travel ban, and the debt follows you.
Getting your own AECB report
You can buy your AECB credit report and score any time through the AECB app or website, or at a customer happiness centre, for a small fee (roughly AED 84 for the report with score, less for the score alone). Some banks provide it free to their customers.
Check it before any big application, and especially a few months before you apply for a mortgage. If something is wrong — an account that is not yours, or a paid debt still showing — raise a dispute with AECB, which must investigate with the lender that reported it. Keep clearance letters and receipts.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is a good AECB credit score in the UAE?
- On the 300–900 scale, roughly 680 and above is comfortable for most lending, and 730+ gets the best rates. Below about 620 many banks decline. The score weights the last 12–24 months of payment behaviour most heavily.
- Does checking my own AECB report lower my score?
- No. Buying your own report is not a credit application and is not visible to lenders as an enquiry. Only applications for actual credit are recorded — several in a short span can count against you.
- How long does a default or bounced cheque stay on my AECB record?
- Generally around five years, even after you settle it — though a cleared account looks better than an open one. A returned cheque is recorded and can also carry legal consequences, so avoid it.
Informational content, not financial, tax or legal advice. Check amounts, limits and current rules directly with the official sources (the Central Bank of the UAE, the Federal Tax Authority, Al Etihad Credit Bureau, and MOHRE) before making a decision.
