Hi, I'm Omar from Jordan. I recently deposited a large amount into my UAE business account after receiving payment from a client. Instead of crediting it immediately, the bank put my account under review. Why did this happen?
Hi Omar,
I'm Kuldeep, and I work closely with business owners on UAE corporate banking matters. The good news is that an account review after a large deposit doesn't automatically mean you've done something wrong.
UAE banks are required to monitor transactions under the Central Bank's Anti-Money Laundering (AML) regulations. If a transaction doesn't match your usual banking pattern, the system may automatically flag it for a compliance review.
Some of the most common reasons include:
- The deposit is much larger than your usual monthly turnover.
- The money is received and then quickly transferred elsewhere.
- The payment comes from a third party or an overseas company that the bank cannot immediately link to your business.
- Business income is being deposited into a personal account instead of a business bank account.
The fastest way to resolve the review is to cooperate with the bank. Keep documents such as client invoices, contracts, proof of source of funds, property sale documents, or any records that explain where the money came from. If the compliance team requests information, respond as quickly and accurately as possible to avoid unnecessary delays.
In many cases, once the bank is satisfied that the transaction matches your business activity and the supporting documents are in order, the hold is lifted and the account continues to operate normally.
