UAE credit information to include pension and NAFIS support data, widening income assessment
Union for Credit Information adds verified pension and NAFIS support records to UAE credit reports, expanding income assessment and boosting access to loans.
The Union for Credit Information has begun integrating verified pension and NAFIS support data into UAE credit information services, a move designed to broaden how lenders assess borrower income. The update links documented retirement pensions and government support payments with existing salary records to present a more complete picture of an individual’s recurring income.
Digital linkage created with the Pensions Authority and NAFIS
The new arrangement establishes a digital data flow between the Union for Credit Information, the General Pension and Social Security Authority, and the NAFIS support programme. The integration is intended to consolidate financial, credit and government support records in a single reporting framework. Officials say the step will enable secure, standardized exchange of verified information while observing data protection and transparency standards.
Changes to credit reports and income calculation
Under the revised approach, credit reports will incorporate documented pension income and NAFIS support alongside monthly wages when calculating debt-to-income metrics. This broader income base can lower measured income utilization ratios for eligible individuals, potentially producing more favourable credit assessments. The Union has indicated these enhancements aim to give lending institutions a more accurate assessment of applicants’ sustained income streams.
Lenders to gain clearer view of borrowers’ documented income
Banks and non-bank lenders will receive more granular, verified information about applicants, allowing credit officers to factor in retirement income and government support when determining affordability. Industry analysts say this could expand eligibility for loans and other financial products among retirees and beneficiaries of state support. The Union noted that combining multiple income sources will help reduce reliance on self-declared figures and improve underwriting consistency.
Officials highlight institutional integration and decision support
Union general manager Marwan Ahmed Lotfi described the inclusion of pension and NAFIS records as a key step toward refining income evaluation methods. He said integrating those verified data sets with salary information will allow financial institutions to form a fuller view of an individual’s continuous income and make more informed credit decisions. Firas Abdulkarim Al-Rumhi, director general of the General Pension and Social Security Authority, said the partnership strengthens institutional integration and supports evidence-based policymaking.
Data security, transparency and governance assurances
Authorities emphasised that the data-sharing framework adheres to strict security and transparency principles to protect personal information. The participating entities committed to implementing safeguards and governance controls as data flows between systems. Officials also stressed that information will be used to support credit decisioning and social policy objectives, in line with national priorities for a robust financial and social safety net.
Expected impact on Emirati borrowers and financial inclusion
Representatives of the Council for Emirati Workforce Competitiveness said the move aligns with efforts to improve financial transparency and better reflect the effect of support programmes on beneficiaries’ stability. By reflecting pension and NAFIS support in credit files, some Emirati citizens may find it easier to access a broader range of financial products or improved terms. Market observers caution that the magnitude of benefit will depend on how lenders adjust their scoring models and underwriting policies to weigh the newly available income streams.
The Union indicated these updates are intended to support lenders’ capacity to assess Emirati applicants’ eligibility for financial facilities based on documented income. It said the initiative will help institutions evaluate creditworthiness with a clearer understanding of recurring income, which could assist in responsible lending and broaden access to credit for eligible individuals.
The integrated reporting framework is part of a broader national agenda to strengthen data-driven decision-making across social protection and financial sectors. Authorities say continued collaboration between public agencies and credit information services will be pursued to support economic inclusion and the financial resilience of citizens.