I’m Kuldeep, Head of the Banking Team at DhanGuard. General Trading is one of the most common business activities we work with, but it's also one that banks review very carefully because the scope of products can be quite broad.

The good news is that several leading UAE banks do accept General Trading companies, provided you can clearly demonstrate how your business operates.

Some of the banks that regularly work with general trading businesses include:

• Emirates NBD – A strong choice for established trading companies, especially those with a physical office and comprehensive business documentation.
• Mashreq & Mashreq NeoBiz – Popular among SMEs, offering digital banking solutions and support for trading businesses.
• RAKBANK – Well known for serving SMEs involved in import, export, and local trade.
• Wio Business – A digital-first banking platform that's often preferred by startups and straightforward trading businesses because of its fast onboarding process.
• Commercial Bank of Dubai (CBD) and ADCB – Both offer business banking solutions suitable for trading companies, including conventional and Islamic banking options.

That said, choosing the right bank is only part of the process. The quality of your application plays an equally important role.

For example, if your trade license simply states "General Trading," don't assume that's enough. Banks usually want a much clearer picture of your business. I always recommend preparing:

• A short business plan explaining the exact products you trade.
• Details of your suppliers and customers.
• Information about the countries you import from or export to.
• Sample invoices, contracts, purchase orders, or letters of intent that demonstrate genuine business activity.

Another point worth mentioning is your office setup. While free zone companies with flexi-desk facilities can certainly open business bank accounts, banks often feel more comfortable when a company has a physical office or serviced workspace, as it provides additional evidence of an active business presence.

Finally, one strategy we often recommend for General Trading businesses is applying to more than one bank at the same time. Since this activity is generally classified as medium to high risk from a compliance perspective, having multiple applications in progress can reduce delays if one bank requests additional information or decides not to proceed.