Sandk: Financial Inclusion Requires Consumer Protection and Financial Health
Sandk calls for consumer protection and financial health to advance financial inclusion in the UAE, promising faster dispute resolution and digital access.
Financial inclusion must extend beyond mere access to banking services to include consumer protection and financial health, Sandk’s chief executive said on the Arab Financial Inclusion Day 2026. Faiza Al Awadhi underscored that building trust, ensuring justice in disputes and safeguarding consumers are essential steps toward a sustainable, resilient financial system. Her remarks set out Sandk’s renewed commitment to work with financial sector partners to strengthen an integrated ecosystem that empowers individuals across the UAE. The unit pledged to apply impartial, transparent dispute-resolution standards while expanding digital channels that improve access for underserved communities.
Sandk Statement on Arab Financial Inclusion Day 2026
Faiza Al Awadhi spoke as Arab Financial Inclusion Day 2026 convened under the theme emphasizing financial health as a pathway to more sustainable inclusion. She framed financial health as a strategic priority that complements traditional measures of access and usage. Sandk, identified in Arabic as the Unit for Settlement of Banking and Insurance Disputes, presented its role as central to bolstering public confidence in financial services.
Her remarks aligned Sandk’s mission with wider national goals for a competitive global financial sector and an enabled, financially aware society. As an independent body, Sandk said it will maintain strict standards of integrity and transparency in handling complaints and resolving disputes. The unit positioned its work as both protective for consumers and stabilizing for the financial system at large.
Consumer Protection and Financial Health as Pillars
Sandk emphasized that consumer protection and financial health are pillars of meaningful financial inclusion, not optional add-ons. Protecting rights and delivering fair outcomes in disputes help to build the trust needed for individuals to engage with formal financial services. Financial health — the ability to manage everyday finances, absorb shocks and plan ahead — was identified as the practical outcome policymakers should aim for.
The unit stressed that strong dispute-resolution mechanisms and clear recourse channels reduce barriers for consumers who otherwise avoid formal services. By ensuring equitable treatment and transparent processes, Sandk argued the sector can reduce friction and boost uptake of financial products. This, in turn, contributes to macro-level stability and a more resilient economy.
Improving Access and Speeding Dispute Resolution
A core part of Sandk’s agenda is to make complaint handling faster and fairer for both retail customers and policyholders. The unit outlined measures to shorten processing times and improve case-management efficiency without sacrificing impartiality. Faster resolution reduces costs for consumers and institutions alike, while increasing confidence in the formal dispute-resolution pathway.
Sandk highlighted ongoing efforts to simplify procedures and remove unnecessary administrative barriers that deter people from filing complaints. The unit also said it will continue training and engagement with banks, insurers and other partners to ensure consistent application of standards. The result, officials said, should be a more predictable and user-friendly experience for those seeking redress.
Digital Solutions and Focus on Underserved Groups
Digital tools are central to Sandk’s strategy for broadening reach and improving service quality across all segments of society. The unit plans to leverage online platforms and mobile-friendly channels to make complaint submission and tracking easier, especially for people with limited physical access to financial centers. Digital enhancements are expected to streamline case intake, improve transparency and shorten the time to resolution.
Special attention will be given to underserved communities that typically face higher barriers to inclusion, including low-income households and other underbanked groups. Sandk said targeted outreach, simplified processes and multilingual support will be part of efforts to make dispute resolution accessible to nontraditional users. These measures aim to ensure that financial inclusion policies translate into tangible benefits for the most vulnerable.
Partnerships with Financial Sector and Regulatory Alignment
Sandk reiterated its intention to work closely with regulators, banks, insurers and consumer groups to build an integrated ecosystem for financial inclusion. Collaborative frameworks are being pursued to align complaint-handling standards, information-sharing practices and consumer-awareness campaigns. The unit believes that coordinated action will multiply the impact of individual initiatives and reduce systemic vulnerabilities.
Officials noted that aligning dispute-resolution outcomes with regulatory expectations supports a level playing field and preserves market confidence. Sandk also indicated it will publish insights and anonymized trends to help policymakers and industry stakeholders understand common pain points. These transparency measures are intended to inform policy design and help institutions improve product suitability and disclosure.
Sandk positions its services as a foundation for a healthier, more inclusive financial environment, arguing that access without protection leaves consumers exposed and undermines long-term adoption of formal services.
The unit’s commitments on Arab Financial Inclusion Day 2026 signal a sharpened focus on outcomes that matter to households: fair treatment, clear recourse and practical steps to improve financial resilience. Sandk’s blend of expedited dispute resolution, digital access and targeted outreach aims to translate policy ambitions into everyday improvements for residents across the UAE.
