Etihad Credit Information to Add Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) Accounts from Tabby and Tamara to UAE Credit Reports
Etihad Credit Information will include Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) accounts from Tabby and Tamara in UAE credit reports from July 2026, expanding data used for lending decisions and consumer profiling.
Etihad Credit Information announced on Monday that, effective July 2026, it will incorporate Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) account data supplied by Tabby and Tamara into UAE consumer credit reports.
The inclusion covers both new and existing customers and will import relevant historical account information to create a more complete view of household repayment obligations.
The agency said the change aims to support more accurate credit assessments, foster responsible lending, and broaden financial inclusion across the Emirates.
Details of the BNPL data integration
Etihad Credit Information said the BNPL update will add account-level details and payment performance metrics from Tabby and Tamara.
The data set will include active accounts and prior account histories, enabling lenders and authorised users to see installment schedules and repayment behaviour alongside traditional credit products.
Coverage for customers of Tabby and Tamara
The change applies to customers of both Tabby and Tamara operating in the UAE, the agency confirmed.
Existing account histories held by those providers will be transferred into the central credit files, while new BNPL accounts opened after the update will be reported on an ongoing basis.
Expected effects on lenders and credit assessments
Lenders and regulated credit providers will gain access to a wider range of consumer liabilities when evaluating applications.
By factoring BNPL instalments into affordability and risk models, creditors can better gauge borrowers’ overall commitments and adjust credit decisions and pricing accordingly.
Implications for consumers and financial inclusion
For consumers who use BNPL responsibly, recorded on-time payments could strengthen credit profiles and unlock broader financing options.
Conversely, late payments and defaults on BNPL plans will also be visible, which could affect future borrowing capacity and underline the importance of timely repayment.
Statements from officials and industry leaders
Marwan Ahmed Lotfi, Director General of Etihad Credit Information, said the integration reflects a commitment to enhancing data quality and relevance as new forms of consumer finance expand.
He described the move as a step toward supporting responsible credit practices, improving risk assessment, and increasing transparency across the financial sector.
Responses from Tabby and Tamara
Hossam Arab, CEO and co-founder of Tabby, said bringing BNPL records into central credit files helps lenders understand consumers’ financial standing and supports access to wider credit opportunities for responsible users.
Saqr Shah, General Manager of Tamara in the UAE, described the initiative as aligned with the firm’s efforts to promote transparency and enable broader participation in the formal financial system.
Strategic context and sector cooperation
Etihad Credit Information framed the update as part of wider collaboration with banks, fintechs and data providers to deepen the scope and accuracy of credit reporting.
Officials noted the move will help build a more resilient and inclusive financial ecosystem by capturing new payment behaviours and integrating them with existing credit history.
The inclusion of BNPL data marks a notable evolution in how non-traditional credit products are treated within standard credit files.
Buy Now, Pay Later services have become a prominent component of consumer finance in the UAE, and integrating their performance data into central reports is likely to influence underwriting practices.
Financial institutions and regulators will monitor the impact on lending outcomes and consumer protection, while market participants prepare to update risk models and compliance processes.
The change underscores a balancing act between harnessing richer data to broaden credit access and ensuring consumers are informed about how BNPL activity affects their credit records.