Banking experts noted that financial institutions target all eligible segments, but emphasized that families must play a key role in educating young adults to avoid taking on financial burdens beyond their capacity.

According to parents, some bank marketing representatives facilitate credit card applications using salary certificates from private employers stating an income of AED 5,000—regardless of the student’s actual earnings. Since many of these students have no prior banking history, their clean credit report from Al Etihad Credit Bureau often accelerates approval.

They added that certain banks issue credit cards based solely on salary certificates, without requiring a bank statement, even when the applicant’s income is derived solely from sporadic commissions in fields such as real estate.

Parents are calling for stricter regulations to ensure students’ ability to repay, stressing the need to increase financial awareness among youth during this critical stage of life.

Banker Tamer Abubakr explained that some banks accept a salary certificate and valid ID documents without further financial verification, especially for new or part-time employees who lack previous credit history.

Meanwhile, banker Mostafa Ahmed stated that marketing staff are focused on selling credit cards to all employees meeting the minimum income requirement of AED 5,000 monthly, or AED 60,000 annually. He pointed out that some students and new employees submit inflated salary certificates—often in coordination with private employers—which misrepresent their actual earnings.

He emphasized that employers must only issue accurate salary statements, and banks should request at least three months of account statements to verify income. He warned that repeated defaults by employees from specific companies could negatively impact their employer’s credit rating and limit access to future bank financing.

UAE: Complaints about banks' leniency in issuing credit cards to these groups

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